The Semi-weekly leader., 1922-04-01
Federal Councils Statistics Show
War Losses Being Steadily
Overcome.
45,997, ,1S9 CHURCH MEMBERS
Various Religious Bodies Report 1885,
1o4 Congregations, Headed by 2oo,-
900 Ministers-Total Constitu-
ency 100000.

| Washington, D. C.-Every day dur
ing the last five years an average Of
217S persons Joined the various
churches of America. An average OF
three congregations have been organ
lied daily and the average number
Joining the ministry has been four
and one-half persons a day.
The figures are furnished by DR.. e.
O. Watson, Washington, secretary sof
the Federal Council of the Churches of
| Christ in America. The statistics show
that the churches are steadily over
coming their war losses. Total church
membership of the country is placed at
1891, ,199, an increase of 4,O70, ,345 over
the 1915 census figures and indicates
gain Of more than million members
for the preceding twelve months. The
various religious bodies report 233, ,1O4
congregations, headed by 100000 min
listers. This is gain of 5,617 congre-
cations and 1924 clergy over the gov
ernment figures for 1916.
Increase in Ministers Total.
While there has been much talk of
shortage of ministers, the increase in
clergy has been approximately so per
cent more than the increase in the con-
gregations. The 33014 difference be-
tween ministers and congregations
does. not indicate a corresponding
shortage Of pastors,
OF the persons listed officially as
church members, the Roman Catholics
have 17,885,646 The Catholic figures
represent estimated population, includ-
ing all baptized persons. Protestant
bodies count only communicates.
The 80 bodies related to the Federal
Council of Churches have 1888, 115
members. They have total of 142, ,472
congregations manned by 1887 cler-
gy. Their gain in membership over
the preceding five years is 1,245.935.
Their total constituency is 55,S12, ,722,
gain of 3,44S,618 over the 1916 GEN.
sus figures.
Total constituency" e5,ooo,o 900.
The total religious constituency Of
the country Gncluding all members
and "adherents") is estimated by Doc
tor Watson at 95,85S,O96 persons. Ow-
ing to different statistical methods of
the various churches these figures are
estimated in accordance with studies
made by statisticians. On this basis
the constituency of various bodies is: :
Protestant, 74,795, ,226; Roman Cath
olic, II, 7,SS5,646; Jews, 100000; Latter
Day Saints (MOrmOnS), 1,646. ITO.
The Jewish bodies have different
methods of reporting. Volume % of
the American Jewish Year Book esti-
mates the Jewish population of the
United States at 100000.
For the first time the combined Bap-
lists have passed the combined Meth
odists In total membership, now hav-
ing 1885, $50 members, against a Meth
Odist membership of 7,797,991. The
Lutheran bodies stand third with q
membership of 2,46S,645 persons and
the Presbyterians are fourth with q
BS4, 1888 members.
Largest Protestant Denomination.
The Methodist Episcopal church
(North) reports an increase in mem
bership of 220,S70 over the 1916 figures
and 62,595 members over last year. 1t
is the largest single Protestant COM
munion. The Methodist Episcopal
church (South) shows a gain of o.
315 members for the preceding year,
its total now being 2,346,067 The Prot
estant Episcopal church shows a gain