The Christian Church in Victorian Britain (1837 - 1901) |
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Setting off for work while it was still dark, and coming home late for six long days a week. Even young children had to work where they could in factory or field. Life was hard for ordinary people in Victorian times. Yet on Sunday - their one day off - the family would get up, wash, dress in their Sunday best - and go to church. Why? Most Victorians were Christians and went to church. For many the community of the local church was their main source of friends and entertainment. |
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Christian festivals like Easter, harvest and Christmas marked the passing of the year. Christian beliefs inspired many to help others and to work to improve our society. Church schools brought education for all; people like William Barnardo and George Müller cared for orphans. William Booth helped the homeless, poor and unemployed. Christian politicians like Shaftesbury and Gladstone cared deeply about social justice and tried to change what they could. Christian missionaries took great risks to help people in other countries, building hospitals, schools and orphanages as well as churches. The Christian faith was the reason for much of what happened in Victorian Britain. |
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Going to church |
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Church and Chapel |