THE recent Churches’ Forum for History held its inaugural meeting on Thursday of last week, in Faith House, Westminster.
The purpose of the Forum, the organisers say in a press release, is to develop recent approaches to the study of church history and to “raise the status of such study where it’s presently isolated or neglected. Above all, it’ll aim to support churchpeople who want to take an lively interest within the history of their churches,” each academics and individuals.
The Forum is alleged to be a “continuation and expansion” of the work of the Association of Denominational History Societies and Cognate Libraries, which was first established by Alan Sell to foster collaboration in historical research and study across the Churches and of their respective institutions, collections, and archives.
“The Forum will aim to realize a recent relationship between academic research, the writing of individual scholars wherever they might be, and the study of history by church people at large,” the statement says. “It will create a recent framework for these items, hosting regular meetings, supporting recent publications and promoting conferences.”
The inaugural meeting presented a discussion of spiritual life and vitality within the late Victorian City, featuring two historians of recent religious history: the Ven. Dr Bill Jacob and Professor Hugh McLeod. Other historians, students, and personal individuals were also in attendance, alongside representatives of associated societies and libraries.
The Forum welcomes contributions from those that are curious about writing in regards to the history of their very own church and on similar themes. Andrew Chandler might be contacted for more information at: a.chandler@chi.ac.uk
