Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    X705
  • Title
    Biggleswade Clergy Association
  • Date free text
    1868-1989
  • Production date
    From: 1868 To: 1989
  • Admin/biog history
    The Association was formed at a meeting held at Biggleswade National Schoolroom on Saturday 1 February 1868. Its objects were to provide opportunities for the clergy of the neighbourhood. particularly those in the Deaneries of East and West Shefford, "to confer together on subjects connected with their work and studies". The rules were adopted on 13 February 1868 (Volume 1, page 6) and later revised in November 1876 (Volume 1, page 14), and the first minute book also contains prayers adopted by use by the Association. Meetings were held monthly, an they followed a set form, with notes on the subjects discussed being entered in the minutes. The original joining fee was 2s 6d, and there was an annual subscription of 1s. After the Dioceasan reorganisation of 1914 when Bedfordshire was transferred from Ely Diocese to the Diocese of St Albans, the Association continued to provide a forum for discussions among the clergy of the whole area in both Dioceses which it has originally served. The Association celebrated its Centenary with a service of thanksgiving at Biggleswade parish church on 21 May 1968. The subjects discussed have centred on contemporary issues of theology, churchmanship, parish work, and politics. These have changed over the years, but a few examples from the first minute book give an indication of the content matter: foreign missions, earthly restoration of the Jews, Sunday schools, Good Friday desecration, ecclesiastical dilapidations, Night schools, daily use of churches ofr public and private prayer, the rubrics of the Communion service, the Burials Act, choral festivals, spritual life among the clergy, labour questions, temperance, confession, Visitation of the sick, Elementary Education Act, Museum opening on Sundays etc.
  • Archival history
    Records of the Biggleswade Clergy Association, deposited by the Secretary, the Reverend E A Quinn, Haynes Vicarage, on 30th January 1986
  • Level of description
    fonds
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