In February 1967 the Prince Edward Island Diocesan Board of the Women's Auxiliary accepted the new name of Anglican Church Women. The Women's Auxiliary of the Anglican Church had been established in 1885 and began in the Maritimes in 1896 with the founding of a branch at St. Peter's Cathedral, Charlottetown. A second branch established in 1898 at St. Paul's was rapidly followed in the early years of the 20th century by branches across the Island at Port Hill, Crapaud, Kensington, Alberton, Cherry Valley, etc. With its purpose to unite women in a fellowship of worship, study and offering which would deepen and strenghten their own spiritual lives and lead them into christian services in Parish, community, Diocese, nation and world, the branches soon became instrumental in the support of missions, the care and refurbishing of church buildings, and the acceptance of responsibility for social action in their communities. In 1990 there were 13 active branches in P.E.I.