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England Church History: Difference between revisions
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From the early Middle Ages onwards England has been predominantly Christian. Until the Reformation England was Catholic, but in 1534 the Church in England (the Anglican Church) was made independent and eventually adopted a moderate Protestant theology. The Church of England was the state church with the Monarch as it's Supreme Governor and thus became the majority religion. Catholics were severely persecuted. Other religions, collectively referred to as "Non-conformists" were also not tolerated. Not until 1829 did official persecution against Christian groups end. | From the early Middle Ages onwards England has been predominantly Christian. Until the Reformation England was Catholic, but in 1534 the Church in England (the Anglican Church) was made independent and eventually adopted a moderate Protestant theology. The Church of England was the state church with the Monarch as it's Supreme Governor and thus became the majority religion. Catholics were severely persecuted. Other religions, collectively referred to as "Non-conformists" were also not tolerated. Not until 1829 did official persecution against Christian groups end. | ||
The 1851 census of religion gives a useful overview of the religious scene at that time. It reported the following number of worshippers for each religion in England and Wales- population 17.9 million. | The 1851 census of religion gives a useful overview of the religious scene at that time. It reported the following number of worshippers for each religion in England '''''and Wales'''''- population 17.9 million. | ||
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'''1972:''' About three quarters of English Congregational churches merged with the ''Presbyterian Church of England'' to form the ''United Reformed Church'' (URC). However, about 600 Congregational churches have continued in their historic independent tradition. | '''1972:''' About three quarters of English Congregational churches merged with the ''Presbyterian Church of England'' to form the ''United Reformed Church'' (URC). However, about 600 Congregational churches have continued in their historic independent tradition. | ||
=== Presbyterians, Baptists and Independents === | ===Presbyterians, Baptists and Independents=== | ||
These religions evolved from 16th century Puritanism. The records of these religions are similar to those of the Church of England. The Baptists, however, practiced adult baptism and recorded births in birth registers, not baptism registers. The Independent Church is also known as the Congregational Church. | These religions evolved from 16th century Puritanism. The records of these religions are similar to those of the Church of England. The Baptists, however, practiced adult baptism and recorded births in birth registers, not baptism registers. The Independent Church is also known as the Congregational Church. | ||
=== Methodists === | ===Methodists=== | ||
The Methodist denominations are a break-away movement from Anglicanism, founded by John Wesley (hence the name "Wesleyan") in 1735. | The Methodist denominations are a break-away movement from Anglicanism, founded by John Wesley (hence the name "Wesleyan") in 1735. | ||
=== Latter Day Saints === | ===Latter Day Saints=== | ||
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a restorative Christian religion founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. His claims include a personal visitation by both God The Father and His Son, Jesus Christ in the spring of 1820, and subsequent angelic visitations with instructions which led directly to the discovery of a set or book of (metal) plates which contains ancient "Reformed Egyptian" handwriting. As instructed, he translated these ancient scriptural writings into a book, called the Book of Mormon. The Church was organized in and commences from 6 April 1830 at Palmyra, in upper New York State, United States. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a restorative Christian religion founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. His claims include a personal visitation by both God The Father and His Son, Jesus Christ in the spring of 1820, and subsequent angelic visitations with instructions which led directly to the discovery of a set or book of (metal) plates which contains ancient "Reformed Egyptian" handwriting. As instructed, he translated these ancient scriptural writings into a book, called the Book of Mormon. The Church was organized in and commences from 6 April 1830 at Palmyra, in upper New York State, United States. | ||
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By the liberal use of "resources", the Church has been and currently is a major player and contributor to the world's genealogical community, by sharing its vast genealogical treasures. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints sponsors the FamilySearch website. | By the liberal use of "resources", the Church has been and currently is a major player and contributor to the world's genealogical community, by sharing its vast genealogical treasures. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints sponsors the FamilySearch website. | ||
=== Huguenots === | ===Huguenots=== | ||
====Walloons==== | ====Walloons==== | ||
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They settled primarily in south eastern England, particularly in London, Norwich and Canterbury and were employed especially in silk weaving, the New Draperies and market gardening. In the 17th century more Flemish immigrants arrived with the Dutch to drain the fens of East Anglia (Beharrell).<ref>Christensen, Penelope. "England History of Huguenots, Walloons, Flemish Religions (National Institute)," ''The National Institute for Genealogical Studies'' (2012), https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/England_History_of_Huguenots,_Walloons,_Flemish_Religions_%28National_Institute%29.</ref> | They settled primarily in south eastern England, particularly in London, Norwich and Canterbury and were employed especially in silk weaving, the New Draperies and market gardening. In the 17th century more Flemish immigrants arrived with the Dutch to drain the fens of East Anglia (Beharrell).<ref>Christensen, Penelope. "England History of Huguenots, Walloons, Flemish Religions (National Institute)," ''The National Institute for Genealogical Studies'' (2012), https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/England_History_of_Huguenots,_Walloons,_Flemish_Religions_%28National_Institute%29.</ref> | ||
=== Society of Friends (Quakers) === | ===Society of Friends (Quakers)=== | ||
The ''Religious Society of Friends'' (colloquially ''Friends'' or ''Quakers'') is a puritanical group founded by George Fox in 1647 and had its chief strength in north west England. The group did not believe in formal services, buildings or paid ministers and thus did not pay tithes to support them, hence their particular antipathy towards the imposition of tithes on every inhabitant for the benefit of the Anglican Church. Quakers believed that all were equal, that God’s word was given to each one individually, and opposed violence including armed service. The Bible was viewed as interesting but certainly not binding. These views frequently brought them in conflict with the law and they were much persecuted until William III’s Act of Toleration in 1689. Starting in 1682, William Penn lead 23,000 Quakers to North America where they established the colony of Pennsylvania. This severely depleted Quaker strength in England and numbers were down to 40,000 by 1700 and declined drastically by the mid-18th century, aided by their forbidding of marriage to outsiders and to first cousins. Some joined other Protestant groups, and others, who perhaps had gained more prominence in society, felt that the Anglican church was a better choice. They have remained a small and separate group ever since, but have been extremely influential in social reform. Nowadays there are about 18,000 Quakers in Britain. | The ''Religious Society of Friends'' (colloquially ''Friends'' or ''Quakers'') is a puritanical group founded by George Fox in 1647 and had its chief strength in north west England. The group did not believe in formal services, buildings or paid ministers and thus did not pay tithes to support them, hence their particular antipathy towards the imposition of tithes on every inhabitant for the benefit of the Anglican Church. Quakers believed that all were equal, that God’s word was given to each one individually, and opposed violence including armed service. The Bible was viewed as interesting but certainly not binding. These views frequently brought them in conflict with the law and they were much persecuted until William III’s Act of Toleration in 1689. Starting in 1682, William Penn lead 23,000 Quakers to North America where they established the colony of Pennsylvania. This severely depleted Quaker strength in England and numbers were down to 40,000 by 1700 and declined drastically by the mid-18th century, aided by their forbidding of marriage to outsiders and to first cousins. Some joined other Protestant groups, and others, who perhaps had gained more prominence in society, felt that the Anglican church was a better choice. They have remained a small and separate group ever since, but have been extremely influential in social reform. Nowadays there are about 18,000 Quakers in Britain. | ||