The Handbook of Denominations, also known as Abingdon's Handbook of Denominations, by Frank S. Mead and Samuel Hill, is a reference work on religious denominations, particularly but not exclusively Christian ones, based in North America or extensively represented there (i.e., the Roman Catholic Church). Published by the Nashville-based United Methodist Publishing House, is intended to be an authoritative guide to the history, polity, and doctrines of various religious groups. The work is periodically updated to keep pace with changes in the groups chronicled and to document the formation of new groups.