Eight congregations in the US Anglican church have voted overwhelmingly to break away from their national Episcopal church, widening of the rift over its ordination of a gay bishop.
It is understood defections from the Virginia Diocese have resulted in Nigerian congregations occupying US Episcopal churches.
Two of the larger parishes, The Falls and Truro Churches, in suburbs of Washington DC, voted to join the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, which is linked to the Episcopal Church of Nigeria.
The Nigerian church is headed by Peter Akinola, who has supported a proposal to impose prison terms for homosexual activity.
The breakaway is the latest challenge to Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, the US church's first female leader.
She has been criticised for favouring the blessing of same-sex unions and the consecration of Gene Robinson, an openly gay bishop.
Bishop Martyn Minns of the Anglican Church of Nigeria described the road to separation as a painful family struggle.
The Reverend John Yates, rector of The Falls Church, echoed Bishop Jefferts Schori's advice that when two groups have irreconcilable differences, the pastoral thing to do is find a gracious way to separate.
Two weeks ago the Californian Diocese of San Joaquin took a major step toward breaking with the Episcopal Church over the homosexuality issue, which it may finalise next year.
