Parishes that refused the merger, a majority, continued under the name Anglican Catholic Church, Original Province (ACC-OP).

[1] In 1997, a succession dispute arose among the bishops of the ACC-OP, which led to the formation of the Holy Catholic Church Anglican Rite.

In March of that year Archbishop William Lewis, metropolitan of the ACC-OP, suffered a stroke, an event which led to questions about his ability to continue in his post.

Thereafter a dispute arose regarding whether Thomas Kleppinger or John Cahoon was the senior bishop ordinary in line to become acting metropolitan upon the death or disability of Lewis.

On August 6, Kleppinger, Hamlett, and Seeland called on the bishops, clergy, and lay members of the church to repudiate "Traditional Episcopalians".

[5] Bishop Michael M. Wright was elected as the new metropolitan of the Holy Catholic Church—Western Rite, wirh the suport of Cruz-Blanco, Banzana and Kleppinger.