mother church

noun

1. a church from which other churches have had their origin or derived their authority.
2. a cathedral or a metropolitan church.
3. the church attended in one's youth or for the greater part of one's life.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mother church¹

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325

Example Sentences

Jones brought his anti-Islamic views and eBay business with him to the small charismatic mother church in Gainesville.

From The Daily Beast

He and Mother Church—from whose tender embrace I myself have regrettably lapsed—will both be made out to be appalling hypocrites.

From The Daily Beast

Mother Church can be rigid, but at times—bless her—she can think like a $700-an-hour K Street lawyer.

From The Daily Beast

Mother Church is understandably sensitive when it comes to schisms.

From The Daily Beast

Condillac after the marquis's death had refused to pay tithes to Mother Church and has flouted and insulted the Bishop.

From Project Gutenberg

He spoke of the heresy of Geneva, declaimed on the authority of holy mother church, and then invited me to dinner.

From Project Gutenberg

A holy vest was at times given by the Pope to a faithful son of Mother Church, to protect him from violence of every description.

From Project Gutenberg

Your office—your sanctity—Holy Mother Church herself would protect you.

From Project Gutenberg

Good-bye, said the muleteer, with emotion; and may your excellency never again incur the displeasure of Mother Church.

From Project Gutenberg