Church Rate
Encyclopedia
The Church Rate was a tax formerly levied in each parish in England and Ireland for the benefit of the parish church. Out of these rates were defrayed the expenses of carrying on divine service, repairing the fabric of the church, and paying the salaries of the officials connected with it. The church rates were made by the church wardens, together with the parishioners duly assembled after proper notice in the vestry or the church. The rates thus made were recoverable in the ecclesiastical court, or, if the arrears did not exceed £10 and no questions were raised as to the legal liability, before two justices of the peace. Any payment not strictly recognized by law made out of the rate destroyed its validity. The church rate was a personal charge imposed on the occupier of land
or of a house in the parish
, and, though it was compulsory, much difficulty was found in effectually applying the compulsion. This was especially so in the case of Nonconformists, who had conscientious objections to supporting the Established Church; and in Ireland, where the population was preponderatingly Roman Catholic, the grievance was specially felt and resented.
The objections of the Nonconformists were not only on principle. The Church of England received financial support from Parliament, while their own congregations were totally dependent on voluntary contributions. They did not want to have to support another parish as well as their own. Enforcement of the rate was not uniform across the country. Resolutions were passed protesting against the rate, and societies to abolish the church rate were formed all over the country. In 1836 at a public meeting in London, a central committee, the Church Rate Abolition Society was formed to co-ordinate the efforts of local Societies.
In 1837, Parliament made two concessions to the Nonconformists, a more acceptable marriage ceremony, and the civil registration of births, deaths and marriages. But the parish rate remained compulsory until 1868. The Whig leader in the House of Commons, Lord John Russell
, supported the rate. But in 1856 the Times called the government's attention to what the editor believed was a civil war raging throughout the country on the church rate question
Eventually, in 1868, the Compulsory Church Rates Abolition Act was passed. By this Act church rates are no longer compulsory on the person rated, but are merely voluntary, and those who are not willing to pay them are excluded from inquiring into, objecting to, or voting in respect of their expenditure. The Act is still on the statute books and rates under it are still being levied today.
Real property
In English Common Law, real property, real estate, realty, or immovable property is any subset of land that has been legally defined and the improvements to it made by human efforts: any buildings, machinery, wells, dams, ponds, mines, canals, roads, various property rights, and so forth...
or of a house in the parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
, and, though it was compulsory, much difficulty was found in effectually applying the compulsion. This was especially so in the case of Nonconformists, who had conscientious objections to supporting the Established Church; and in Ireland, where the population was preponderatingly Roman Catholic, the grievance was specially felt and resented.
The objections of the Nonconformists were not only on principle. The Church of England received financial support from Parliament, while their own congregations were totally dependent on voluntary contributions. They did not want to have to support another parish as well as their own. Enforcement of the rate was not uniform across the country. Resolutions were passed protesting against the rate, and societies to abolish the church rate were formed all over the country. In 1836 at a public meeting in London, a central committee, the Church Rate Abolition Society was formed to co-ordinate the efforts of local Societies.
In 1837, Parliament made two concessions to the Nonconformists, a more acceptable marriage ceremony, and the civil registration of births, deaths and marriages. But the parish rate remained compulsory until 1868. The Whig leader in the House of Commons, Lord John Russell
John Russell, 1st Earl Russell
John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, KG, GCMG, PC , known as Lord John Russell before 1861, was an English Whig and Liberal politician who served twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century....
, supported the rate. But in 1856 the Times called the government's attention to what the editor believed was a civil war raging throughout the country on the church rate question
Eventually, in 1868, the Compulsory Church Rates Abolition Act was passed. By this Act church rates are no longer compulsory on the person rated, but are merely voluntary, and those who are not willing to pay them are excluded from inquiring into, objecting to, or voting in respect of their expenditure. The Act is still on the statute books and rates under it are still being levied today.