APLM’s Story
In 1946, a small group of Episcopal priests gathered to discuss what they considered the dismal state of worship in the church and the pressing need for its renewal. Among them was William Ladd who was familiar with liturgical renewal taking place in Europe, a renewal inspired by the ecumenical study of the early church. Others joining him were Massey Shepherd of the Episcopal Theological School at Harvard, Noble Powell, the bishop of Maryland, and Theodore Wedel, Canon Chancellor of the Washington National Cathedral. Joined by other priests, this group of twelve gave birth to Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission at the College of Preachers in Washington, D.C.
The Rev. William Ladd
The Rev. Dr. Massey Shepherd
Bishop Noble Powell
The Rev. Theodore Wedel
For the past 79 years, APLM has served as a catalyst for the recovery of baptism, rather than ordination, as the source of all ministry in the church. Leaders in Associated Parishes continue to support the baptismal formation of adults, commonly called the catechumenate. From its inception, APLM has called for the centrality of the Eucharist in parish life and in the lives of Christians. And in the midst of its labor to renew the liturgy, Associated Parishes continues to invite parish leaders to consider how the liturgical celebration of the sacraments, rites of passage, and the Daily Office orient the people of God toward their mission, their many ministries, in daily life. APLM holds that the center of our life is in the worshipping assembly’s encounter with our loving, liberating, and life-giving God – an encounter that propels us into the world “as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.”
For more on our story, see “APLM and The Making of the 79 Prayer Book” and “The Fiftieth Anniversary of APLM”.