First Church of Springfield

The First Church of Springfield also known as The Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism is the Protestant Christian church (a combination of Presbyterianism and Lutheranism) on the show. The only known congregation in the series is the First Church of Springfield, which most Springfielders attend. The unusually specific name is a parody of Protestant reformed churches branching off into other denominations and movements. Reverend Lovejoy is a member of the clergy of Presbylutheranism.

Formation

The sect is one of possibly several Protestant groups whose ancestors were in conflict with the Roman Catholic Church over the holy right of worshippers to attend church with wet hair. This right, however, was later abolished. The Schism of Lourdes marked their official split from the Catholic Church.

Outlook on other religions

The church still remains at odds with Catholicism (even though they stopped feuding with each other), its more devout members needing to have their hands re-blessed after shaking with a Catholic. Reverend Lovejoy, in "Bart Has Two Mommies", also mentions his rivalry with a local Episcopal church, and he engages in a brawl with a Catholic priest after an exchange of hostilities in "The Frying Game". Native religions, for instance those which are found in the south Pacific, are seen as inferior, and missionary activity is employed to ridicule away the beliefs of native peoples (as in the episode "Missionary: Impossible"). The church also has enemies on a social level, including monogamous gays and stem cells.