Church of England (the Anglican Church)
Religion played a role in all rites of passages regardless
of denomination, for birth, confirmation, marriage, and death. However, there
was a noticeable decline in interest towards religion during the Edwardian Era.
Weekend activities began to get in the way of going to church and Anglican
churches had trouble recruiting men for their clergy.
There were three major religions in the Edwardian period: Roman Catholic, Anglicanism, and Chapel (non-conformist sects). The middle and lower classes associated more with the Chapel while the Church of England was divided between High and Low Church, the High Church being more conservative while the Low Church took a simpler approach in regards to worship.
The Upper Class especially played a large part in religion and felt it was there duty to help to show piety. They even expected servants to attend the families morning prayer gatherings. Church was another social event in the eyes of the aristocracy; even certain churches became more fashionable. The most popular being the St. George’s in Hanover Square, St. Paul’s in Knightsbridge, the Holy Trinity in Sloane Street, and St. Peter’s in Eaton Street.
There were three major religions in the Edwardian period: Roman Catholic, Anglicanism, and Chapel (non-conformist sects). The middle and lower classes associated more with the Chapel while the Church of England was divided between High and Low Church, the High Church being more conservative while the Low Church took a simpler approach in regards to worship.
The Upper Class especially played a large part in religion and felt it was there duty to help to show piety. They even expected servants to attend the families morning prayer gatherings. Church was another social event in the eyes of the aristocracy; even certain churches became more fashionable. The most popular being the St. George’s in Hanover Square, St. Paul’s in Knightsbridge, the Holy Trinity in Sloane Street, and St. Peter’s in Eaton Street.
History of Anglicanism in the Church of England
In the 1500s, there was much corruption within the English Catholic Church in regards to true spirituality, that lead to Martin Luther’s protests. In 1534, the Act of Supremacy gave the crown control of the English Church which allowed Henry VIII to divorce his first wife Catherine of Aragon, as it was not seen proper in the Catholic faith and not recognized at the time.
The Church saw many changes in dominant religions according the monarch currently in power, Catholicism with Mary I and then Protestantism with Edward VI. Elizabeth I eventually converted the church to the Anglican faith when she took the throne in 1558. The Anglican Church began to establish itself as the national religion, while also establishing itself as a middle way between Catholics and Puritans. However, Oliver Cromwell’s take over dismantled the Church of England. It wasn't until the Monarchy restoration with Charles II in 1660 that the Anglican church was reestablished.
The Church saw many changes in dominant religions according the monarch currently in power, Catholicism with Mary I and then Protestantism with Edward VI. Elizabeth I eventually converted the church to the Anglican faith when she took the throne in 1558. The Anglican Church began to establish itself as the national religion, while also establishing itself as a middle way between Catholics and Puritans. However, Oliver Cromwell’s take over dismantled the Church of England. It wasn't until the Monarchy restoration with Charles II in 1660 that the Anglican church was reestablished.
Nineteenth Century Church of England
The Church of England changed policies the nineteenth century, due to the Upper Class Anglicans wanting a more practical religion where they could worship in peace. Though by this point, the authority and evangelicalism of the Church of England was starting to decrease. Though public schools and universities were removed of religious constraints, they still abided by Anglican teachings. In 1919, acts were passed that effectively separated Church from State.
For more information:
Cody, David . "The Church of England."The Church of England. Hartwick College, n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://www.victorianweb.org/religion/denom1.html>
Holland, Evangeline . "Unusual Historicals." The Edwardian Church. Blogger, n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com/2008/06/edwardian-church.html>.
Cody, David . "The Church of England."The Church of England. Hartwick College, n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://www.victorianweb.org/religion/denom1.html>
Holland, Evangeline . "Unusual Historicals." The Edwardian Church. Blogger, n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com/2008/06/edwardian-church.html>.