state church

American  

noun

1. established church.

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Etymology

Origin of state church

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

The Church of Scotland, the state church of Scotland, is Presbyterian in heritage and polity.

From Washington Post

But church-state relations are very different in England, where the population is much more secular and the Church of England is the official state church, whereas the U.S.

From Washington Post

The Founders were against the “establishment of religion,” by which they meant the kind of constitutional order that existed — and still exists — in Britain, where the Anglican Church is the state church.

From Washington Post

Should this new church observe the rites and traditions of the State Church of Norway or adopt revised forms of worship?

From Seattle Times

When they did, they usually left behind their Calvinist denominations and became members of the elite church linked to the state Church of England.

From Literature