What is likely to be the world’s oldest Christian newspaper is suspending its print operations indefinitely following the death of its owner and major financial supporter.
The Church of England Newspaper, because it is straightforwardly named, began life in 1828 as The Record. It gained its current name within the Fifties following a merger with The Church Family Newspaper.
So influential was the paper at one point that it even boasted its own faction inside the Church. As a vehicle for young evangelicals within the nineteenth century, the “Recordites” were against the pro-Catholic Oxford Movement.
Ironically, one among the primary supporters and indeed subscribers to the newspaper was John Henry Newman. Newman eventually joined the Catholic Church via the Oxford Movement, eventually becoming a cardinal and even achieving sainthood posthumously in 2019.
Now nevertheless, the print operations of the paper have been forced to fold, although the newspaper said it’s pursuing all options.
In an announcement the paper’s editor, Andrew Carey, said, “I’m sorry to tell you … that the Church of England Newspaper has needed to review its operations following the passing of Keith Young, owner and director of Political and Religious Intelligence Ltd.
“Keith was generously the only provider of additional finance to proceed supporting the paper and we at the moment are exploring all options to secure a future and hope that you’ll bear with us as we seek an orderly transition to serve our readers and subscribers, our advertisers and all other partners.”
While the newspaper will now not published in print edition, it’ll still send out a weekly newsletter.
Carey indicated that he hoped a recent voice standing up for evangelicalism and biblical orthodoxy in a thoughtful manner might sooner or later come forth.
“In more peaceful times post-war, the [Church of England Newspaper] also made a substantial contribution to build up the evangelical institutions of the [Church of England] and supporting an open evangelicalism which up until today, I hope, stays thoughtful, orthodox, resourceful and generous. This is required greater than ever today,” Carey said.
The closure of such a legacy Christian newspaper, combined with the sad news that Spurgeon’s College is to shut down, is likely to be an indication that Christianity is losing its power in Britain. Equally, it could possibly be the case the “quiet revival” reportedly happening in Britain doesn’t fit right into a nineteenth century box. The query to ask is, while old Christian institutions are dying, are recent ones being born?
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