June 25 - end of first century to Constantine

Church polity begins to be solidified with Bishops becoming a class of priests that were ontologically different from the laity. Practices were also solidified and dictated by this new class of leaders. This is where we see the Eucharist being viewed as substantial, as literally administering grace, and only being valid if administered by a Bishop. This is also where the office of Bishop becomes a vocation. Churches begin to pay these individuals a salary. Rome begins to emerge as an authoritative focal point, yet this was resisted even to 400 and beyond.

Women in leadership began to be discriminated after 200. Rather than having women in any role of church (there is even a woman apostle in scripture) women are now limited to particular roles. These roles were significantly less substantial than roles available to men.