Article
Primary Visitation 1920: Stanford Rivers
aty visitation 1920
In 1914 the Diocese of Chelmsford was formed with almost all parishes in Essex transferring from the see of St Albans. Six years later, following the First World War, the first Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt. Rev. J F Watts-Ditch, sent a questionnaire for completion by all incumbents. In total, 49 questions were asked. The document may be found in the Essex Record Office.
John Thomas, Incumbent of Stanford Rivers responded as follows.
1. What are the occupation of the people?
Farming and Labouring
2. What is the average attendance (exclusive of school children) at Morning Prayer and at Evening Prayer on Sunday?
60 & 30 respectively (Here contrary I suppose to the usual custom, Morning Prayer is always better attended than Evensong).
6. What was the number of Communicants in each of the last two years?
| 1918 | 1919 | |
|---|---|---|
| a. on Christmas Day | 4 | 6 |
| b. on Easter Day | 30 | 40 |
| c. on Ascension Day | - | - |
| d. on Whitsunday | 18 | 37 |
| e. on Holy Days (roughly) | - | - |
What proportion of Communicants are male?
1/5th
20. What hymn book is used?
A&M [Ancient & Modern]
21. When you are called upon to marry any couple, are you careful to enquire whether either has been divorced and whose partner is still living?
Yes.
22. Is there a Sunday School in your parish?
Yes.
23. Please give your opinion briefly as to the condition of your parish with regard to
| a. Poverty (increasing or decreasing) | Decreasing |
| b. Housing | Cottages needed |
| c. Intemperance | Not much I believe |
| d. Sexual Immorality | Some I believe |
| e. Betting and Gambling | Not aware of any |
| f. Religious indifference | Much as always among the generality of men - particularly in Cottage homes. |
| g. Sunday observance |
44. State what you believe to be the causes of such evil as exists and what efforts - preventative and remedial, you are making to combat them.
Of Art IV of the Church I visit them and reason & plead with such individually very often - "* don't want to go to church". It is this sense of want one tries to produce under the blessing of the Holy Sheer.
- This is often due I firmly believe, to sheer laziness, & perhaps also, to lack of decent clothes.
To what extent, whether favourably or unfavourably, has the war affected the spiritual life of your parish?
I fear returning men are shore indifferent to God's claims than before the Great War which has however deepened the fervour of the faithful.
46. How has the war influenced
| a. demobilised men who were church members before the war? | I find them not any more interested still. |
| b. demobilised men who were not church members before the war? |
[Signed] John T Thomas
Date: March 20 1920
Next time: Stapleford Tawney with Theydon Mount
Significant dates: 22/03/1920
