Irish Evangelical Society and other miscellaneous Societies and Associations

Context

Creator(s): Irish Evangelical Society Irish Congregational Home Mission Western Congregational Association

• Administrative History ↴

  During the immediate post-rebellion and post-union era it became clear that Ireland was a prime location for evangelical missionary endeavours. As a result numerous organisations were formed in England to commence work in Ireland. The Hibernian Bible Society and the Hibernian Sunday School Society were the largest and most influential of Ireland's Protestant religious agencies, but there were many others, including the London Hibernian Society (1806), the Baptist Society for Ireland (1814) and the Irish branch of the Religious Tract and Book Society (1816).{D.Hempton & M. Hill, Evangelical Protestantism in Ulster Society, 1740-1890, (London, 1992)} The London Hibernian Society was founded with three related aims: the establishment of schools; distribution of tracts; and the ministry of the gospel. However, in 1814 it was decided that the society should concentrate on its educational mission. As a result the Irish Evangelical Society was formed. The Society was managed by two committees in Dublin and London respectively. Although undenominational its founding members and chief supporters were principally Congregationalists. The work was met with success and many preaching stations were established and chapels built such as those at Bray, Carrickfergus, Londonderry, Newry, Wexford, Wicklow, and Youghal. The churches although obviously independent by principle were heavily reliant upon the Irish Evangelical Society for financial support. In 1829 the London committee which had gradually assumed increasing control decided to close their theological academy in Dublin and dismiss the Dublin committee of the Society. This action resulted in the formation of the Congregational Union of Ireland within a few months (See CR7/1). In 1840 the Irish Evangelical Society came under the direct control of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. This resulted in tensions with the Congregational Union of Ireland which were successfully resolved for a short period. Nevertheless, the I.E.S. remained inextricably linked with the Congregational Union of England and Wales until the late 1850s. During 1857-58 the direct connection between the Society and the Union was severed. Prior to this Irish Congregationalists had formed their own separate missionary organisation in 1853 known as the Irish Congregational Home Mission (See CR7/2/B). In 1861 the Irish Evangelical Society and the Irish Congregational Home Mission merged to form the Irish Evangelical Society and Congregational Home Mission. The organisation was administered once again by two bodies: a committee in London and a committee of the Congregational Union of Ireland respectively. In 1899 the joint Society was transferred to the complete control of the Congregational Union of Ireland.

• Archival History ↴

  Unknown

• Immediate Source Acquisition ↴

  Unknown