The Evangelical Catholic Church (ECC) was founded in 1976 by former pastors and members of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) who were influenced by or interested in Eastern Orthodoxy.

The ECC became inactive in 2009, was revived in 2014 and disbanded in 2016, with its remaining parishes joining the North American Lutheran Church.

[3] The first bishop of the ECC was Karl Julius Barwin, who was elected at the church body's organizational meeting in Peoria, Arizona, in 1976.

[5][6] The ECC accepted the Apostles', Nicene (minus the filioque), and Athanasian creeds, as well as all the writings contained within the Book of Concord of 1580.

[8][9] Other notable teachings included rejection of the ordination of women,[10] identification of Muhammad as "Satan's Disciple",[11] and forceful condemnation of illegal immigration.