The American Prayer Book of 1928

Historical background

Revision was undertaken in 1913, as the 1892 book was felt to be not fully suited to modern needs, and was carried out across several General Conventions, with the revised book authorised in 1928. The period’s theological climate included the influence of the Anglo-Catholic movement, liberal theology, and the experience of the First World War.

What changed

The revision removed or softened some language thought harsh or inappropriate: the bride’s vow to “obey” was dropped from the marriage service. Prayers for the dead were restored in the Prayer for the Church, and the order of the Communion was rearranged so that the Lord’s Prayer and the Prayer of Humble Access followed the consecration, giving a fuller eucharistic prayer. Propers for additional days, prayers for social concerns, family prayer, and services such as Offices of Instruction were included. The Psalter was revised.

Notable and controversial

The 1928 book was the standard of the Episcopal Church until 1979. When the 1979 book replaced it, many objected to the change; this was part of the background to the Congress of St Louis (1977) and the formation of “Continuing Anglican” churches, which retain the 1928 book. The Prayer Book Society and other groups worked to preserve its use, and it remains the authorized book of several Continuing Anglican jurisdictions and a source of the 2019 ACNA book’s traditional language options.