My little parish church in New York City has 2 flags, the flag of the Anglican communion and the US flag. The flags have been in the building for a very long time (though the Anglican communion flag replaced a flag of the Episcopal church when the compass rose flag became available). The flags are in the transepts, on small poles. As you sit in the nave, they aren't very visible at all. I see the US flag primarily as a monument to those many members of the congregation of died in the First and Second World Wars (and the smaller number who died in later wars) under the flag. It seems apt and fitting. I've often objected to flags that clearly competed visually with the altar (or with the pulpit), yet in my current parish, I see a way to honor the flag in the church building, while keeping the focus of eyes, hearts, and spirits where it belongs.

My church displays the US and TEC flags. To worry over them one way or the other is a distraction. In the state where it sometimes feels like we've not gotten over the Civil War and its flag it's kinda nice the sense of the congregation (presumably) is to display the flag.

I liked the compromise my last church had: during Lent the flags went out with the flowers and banners.

We have an American flag on the Gospel end of the altar and the Episcopal flag on the opposite end. I dislike them intensely. I'm sure many people aren't even aware of them but suspect they would be miss them if the flags disappeared. The Lutheran church I came from would never have allowed flags behind the altar rail. Good policy IMO.

When this discussion of display of the national flag in the sanctuary comes up, I always take a little time to ponder this simple thought:

"I wonder how Jesus would have felt about having Caesar's Standard in the Temple...?"

Food for thought.

I think in that sacred space, the sanctuary, the allegiance and attention belongs to God and God's sacraments. A national banner and/or one any church except the holy catholic church (which is represented by other symbols) is distracting. That said, if there are historic or traditional reasons for a parish to discreetly display them in areas such as transepts or a narthex, I'm not as bothered.

Joe Brewer

I am a veteran (US Navy, 1971-1975), but I agree with Shelley, Joe, and (I think) Earl: a US flag beside or near the altar is a distraction. That's probably a minority opinion, so we are unlikely to see a change anytime soon.

We have an American flag in my church as well and an Episcopal flag. Well, that's what is there when it's a church. That same space also serves as a synagogue and at those times it's the American flag and a Star of David flag. The American one rather nicely communicates that the two congregations have that in common. The flags are not near the altar.

My church (TEC) has a flagpole outside in an appropriate location for both faith and nation flags.

My mother's church (RCC) carries the nation's flag into the sanctuary only on special occasions where prayers are offered specifically for the country (such as national holidays like Memorial Day or Labor Day), for a military funeral/wedding/ceremony, or when the BSA (Boy Scouts of America) are assisting with a service in some way (which is a few times a year, as the deacon is both a scoutmaster and the troop's chaplain). And on those occasions, the flags are carried in at the start of Mass, and removed immediately after.

Both, I think, are appropriate.

Our parish has the Episcopal Church flag and the American Flag displayed in the narthex. They used to be in the sanctuary but were moved in response to concerns about the appropriateness of their presence. This was before my I came to the parish but my impression is that we want to send the message that all are welcome, not just Americans and not just Episcopalians.

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My parish has the US, TEC and Anglican Communion flags all in a side chapel. The US and TEC used to fly from the rear of the church over the central doors, but the plaster was cracking and they came down to stand in the chapel. In addition, my parish has the national flags of the twenty or more countries from which members of my congregation hail, as well as the "Pride" (Rainbow) flag among them, all lining the top of the partition dividing the pews and the "narthex" (such as it is).

We have an Episcopal and an American flag that hang off the balcony on the side aisles of the Church.

They seem to fit in just fine in this 200 year old Church...

Rev. Kurt Huber
St. Peter's, Monroe

The Episocopal parish I used to attend moved the flags to the narthex, Episcopal and USA flags on each side of the door.

The one I attend now has them pretty much 'out of sight' by placing them in our 'modern' sanctuary.

By that, I mean the choir stands behind the altar, the musicians to each side. The flags are to the sides of the musicians.

In other words, they are not occupying a space that is in the visual, focal, focused range of the congregants. In fact, it is easy to NOT see the flags there.

As noted by others, I do approve of the addition of the USA flag on appropriate days of remembrance and honor for our country's servants in what they (and most of us) believe to be in the honor and purpose of our Christ.