The Episcopal Church is the Church of England as it developed in the United States. During the American revolution, The Church of England present in the Colonies began to administer itself, although it remained in communication -- in Communion -- with the mother Church in England itself. For this reason, it is said to be part of the Anglican (that is, of England ) Communion. The Church of England is a Christian church founded on Jesus' teachings and example of loving God and one another.
The church is the place where the people gather for public worship, prayer, singing and celebration of sacraments (certain rites and symbols indicating God's gracious presence among us) together; it is also the people themselves, participating in worship, praying, singing and celebrating.

On a technical level, Episcopal means that our church is governed or "overseen" by bishops (from the Greek episcopos, over-seer). Each individual church (or "parish") belongs to a larger governing area called a "diocese," which is overseen by an elected bishop. All the dioceses across the whole country are overseen by a specially elected bishop, called the Presiding Bishop. However, all of the people of the church participate in the running of the business of the church family.