Wiccan church

Wiccan churches are a type of organisation found within Wicca, particularly in North America. While Wicca is most often organised into independent covens, some covens choose to combine to form a church. Churches are often formed from hive covens. Each coven in the hive comes together to form a church, and often creates a fixed location for a covenstead. Much like a Christian church, a Wiccan church will organize rituals as well as community events. Forming a church also gives High Priests or Priestesses a much better chance of legally becoming clergy.

Legal status of Wiccan churches

Many Wiccan and Neopagan organizations have chosen to achieve formal legal status by becoming non-profit corporations within their states or provinces, and sometimes they additionally obtain tax-exempt status in the United States under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Examples of this are the Aquarian Tabernacle Church, based in the State of Washington with branches in several other states, and Our Lady of the Woods, a coven and congregation in New Mexico.

Frequently Wiccan churches are organized with a coven or inner circle, consisting of initiated priests and priestesses, and a congregation or outer circle, for those who wish to celebrate the Sabbats and enjoy spiritual community. These may or may not seek legal status as corporations.

Neopagan bibliography

• Drawing Down the Moon Margot Adler
• The Spiral Dance Starhawk
• Shadowplay Periodical
• Widdershins Periodical
• Green Egg Periodical

See also

• Aquarian Tabernacle Church

External links

• Covenant of the Goddess
• Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans
• Wiccan Church of Canada
• Global Goddess
• The First Congregational Church of The Old Religion
• First Church of Wicca
• Our Lady of the Earth and Sky
• Circle Sanctuary
• Sacred Well Congregation
• Spirit of the Earth Church
• Rowan Tree Church