INTRODUCTION & HISTORY
St.John the Evangelist, Parish church of Cinderford, was consecrated on the 22nd October 1844. This was the culmination of several years of effort, often fraught with disappointment.
St.John the Evangelist, Parish church of Cinderford, was consecrated on the 22nd October 1844. This was the culmination of several years of effort, often fraught with disappointment.
As early as 1807 colliers had petitioned the Crown for a grant of land for the purpose of "erecting a building to facilitate education and religious instruction in the Cinderford area". The reply to this petition was that a grant of land was not possible without an Act of Parliament. This may have been one of the factors which helped towards Spencer Perceval, the then Prime Minister, causing to be inserted in Act 52nd of the reign of George 111, a clause enabling the Commissioners of the Woods and Forests to give, lease or exchange, parcels of land, not exceeding five acres for ecclesiastical purposes. Another factor undoubtedly was the pressure brought to bear by the Revd. Payler Matthew Proctor, vicar of Newland 1803 - 1822.
In those early days of the nineteenth century, Newland was the parish church of the whole Forest of Dean and Mr Proctor, along with the Revd. H. Birton, curate of Mitcheldean in 1809, was appalled by the heathendom of the Foresters, their lawlessness and laxity of morals.
The lack of religious instruction is a recurring theme throughout the years it took to secure the building of a church at Cinderford.
The lack of religious instruction is a recurring theme throughout the years it took to secure the building of a church at Cinderford.
In 1835 under the auspices of Bishop Monk the Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Church Building Association was formed. From then on correspondence took place between this Association and the Commissioners of Woods and Forests and later, the Treasury.
On the 30th December 1837 the association wrote the Commissioners asking their views regarding the erection of a church at a place called Cinderford. It was pointed out that the Commissioners for the Forest of Dean had already recommended a spot suitable for the purpose.
The Commissioners of Woods and Forests replied, agreeing to everything in principle but promising nothing definite. Despite this lack of encouragement the Church Building Association resolved to grant
On the 30th December 1837 the association wrote the Commissioners asking their views regarding the erection of a church at a place called Cinderford. It was pointed out that the Commissioners for the Forest of Dean had already recommended a spot suitable for the purpose.
The Commissioners of Woods and Forests replied, agreeing to everything in principle but promising nothing definite. Despite this lack of encouragement the Church Building Association resolved to grant
History continued
Index