SOURCE: "The Oxford Controversy in America: 1839," in Historical Magazine of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Vol. XXXIII, No. 1, March, 1964, pp. 49-63.

In the following essay, Peck discusses the significance of the Oxford Movement in the United States, which, as he argues, was largely isolated to the religious leadership, in contrast to the widespread controversy in Britain.

Some difficulty is encountered ascertaining exactly when the Oxford Movement made its appearance in this country. The problem is confused by two factors. First, the Hobartian High Church party emphasized the sacramental life of the Church and the apostolic ministry which were also two important emphases of the Oxford Movement. The Episcopal Recorder remarked that the erroneous teachings of the Oxford divines were present in this country prior to their appearance at Oxford.¹ When Bishop McIlvaine of Ohio warned of the private character of opinions which do more than affirm "the Apostolic origin...