It was 47 years ago today that the House of Bishops voted 79-56, and without debate, to drop the word “Protestant” from the name of the official title of the denomination of what’s popularly referred to as The Episcopal Church.
That only commended the action to the other House. In a compromise move, the House of Deputies added a preamble to the Constitution. The effect was a recognition that “The Episcopal Church” would now constitute a legally acceptable alternative designation.
The first sentence of the Preamble as it currently stands:
The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, otherwise known as The Episcopal Church (which name is hereby recognized as also designating the Church), is a constituent member of the Anglican Communion, a Fellowship within the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, of those duly constituted Dioceses, Provinces, and regional Churches in communion with the See of Canterbury, upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer.
Even so, the fuller title remains.
This organization shall be called The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and shall be considered as comprehending all persons who are members of the Church.