U.S. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.

Shannon News, 13 June 1924, Page 1

U.S. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.

CENSUS REVEALS GROWTH IN LEADING DENOMINATIONS.

The census if religion in the United States for 1923 compiled by the Christain Herald, shows there are 45,457,366 communicant*, representing a gain of/ 680,150 during the year as compared with a gain of 797,565 in 1922.

There ar e 206,843 ministers, a gain of 2,173; and 237,404 houses of worship, a gain 'of 2,884. The largest Christain denomination, the Roman Catholic, has 15.655,260 communicants a gain of 133,616. Jewish congrega-: tions have 357,185. Thirty-four Buddhist Japanese temples have 5,639 worshipers. Fourteen bodies of Baptists gained 192,520 communicants, raising the totals to an aggregate of 8,237,021; while 15 bodies of Methodists have 8*622,836 communicants, a gain of 57.153. There are 2.465,831 Lutherans, 22,825 more than las,l- year; 2.462,557 Presbyterians, a gain of-61,290; 1,140,. 076 Episcopalians, a gain of 10,463; 1,(521,203 communicants of the Church of Christ, a gain, of 65.490; and 647,450 Eastern. Catholics. Among the.larger of the other Protestants denominations which show gains are Reformed, United Brethren. Latter Lay Saints, Evangelical Synod and Congregational 1 .