Church Commissioners Documents

Documents deposited in several accessions by the Church Commissioners, 1 Millbank, S.W.1., over a period from 1969 to 1978.

Introduction

The following files and bundles relate to the building of and alterations to parsonage houses in Berkshire. The plans were deposited as they were sorted out from some 10,000 files relating to other counties. The records relate to houses which have either been sold or demolished, the Commissioners retaining those files relating to houses which are still owned by ecclesiastical benefices. The Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty administered the improvements to benefices, and were empowered to give grants for building from finances invested for that purpose (usually Consols). Sometimes the former vicarage or parsonage was sold, and the proceeds used to rebuild.

The records were methodically arranged, often on a file string in chronological sequence with out-letter copies filed next to in-letters, application forms and building records.

The building records include documents by the architect, (such as reports, estimates, plans and specifications), by the contractor (such as undertakings, estimates, accounts and bills) and by the Bounty Office (such as proposals of work to be done).

The financial papers include those which involved the raising of money - the application for grants and expenditure of trust capital.

The administrative papers comprise data on money spent, interview memoranda (often from the incumbent) and correspondence with the Bounty Office.