The history of the commonwealth and continental church society

Abstract

This thesis traces the origins and development of the Commonwealth and Continental Church Society throughout the world. It is a product of the Anglican Evangelical missionary enthusiasm of the early nineteenth century. It began as an educational organization but became a general missionary movement among our own people abroad. The nineteenth century saw the settlement and growth of Britain's colonial Empire and the significance of the Society lies in its efforts to send chaplains, lay-readers and teachers to spiritually‘destitute' British people, whether residents or travellers, in the Colonies or on the Continent of Europe - wherever they called for help. The work of the Society is set in its historical and theological background including the influences prior to 1823 (when it was founded) which led to the establishment of the two parent Societies. There follows a survey of the main movements, personalities and problems; and then, in chapter 6, there is a discussion of the key problems, an evaluation of the contribution of the Society to the expansion and life of the Church and a suggestion of its role as an Evangelical Society during the latter part of the twentieth century. Supplementary material, placed in the Appendices, includes a survey of movements from 1951-71; the Home Organization; the Constitutions and subsequent changes; a list of Bishops given to the Church by the Society; the relations of the Society to other Societies and Churches and a list of the Bishops holding the Bishop of London's permanent commission for northern Europe, Footnotes are included at the ends of chapters; references will be found at the back between pages 193-237.