Series
Pastoral Reorganisation Files ('six figure files')
Catalogue reference: ECE/7/3
What’s it about?
This record is about the Pastoral Reorganisation Files ('six figure files') dating from c.1918-1970.
Is it available online?
Maybe, but not on The National Archives website. This record is held at Lambeth Palace Library.
Can I see it in person?
Not at The National Archives, but you may be able to view it in person at Lambeth Palace Library.
Full description and record details
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Reference (The unique identifier to the record described, used to order and refer to it)
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ECE/7/3
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Title (The name of the record)
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Pastoral Reorganisation Files ('six figure files')
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Date (When the record was created)
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c.1918-1970
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Description (What the record is about)
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File series relating to pastoral reorganisation under the Union of Benefices Measures 1923 to 1952 and the Pastoral Reorganisation Measure 1949, administered by the Estates Department of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and the Benefices Department of the Church Commissioners. The files hold information about proposals relating to pastoral reorganisation, and may include information relating to churches and parsonage houses. Largely 1920s-1960s. In general the files, traditionally called 'six figure files', include: - Questionnaires completed by incumbents of the given benefice. Information provided is the following: Benefice income and its sources; Expenditures; Parsonage house; Population; - Deed of commission of enquiry into particular benefice (by the bishop); - Report of the commission of inquiry usually containing information on the following: Population of the benefice; Area and geography; Patronage; Endowments; Incumbents; Church buildings; Services and attendance. Some files also include information on the following: - Demolition of redundant churches; - Graves excavations and re-interment; - Chancel repairs responsibilities. Files also include press cuttings, photographs of demolished churches and their interiors, copies or drafts of orders in council, maps and also if opposition to the union of benefices was strong petitions from parishioners and occasionally reports of court hearings.
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Held by (Who holds the record)
- Lambeth Palace Library
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Physical description (The amount and form of the record)
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2800 files (792 boxes)
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Unpublished finding aids (A note of unpublished indexes, lists or guides to the record)
- Originally a card index, but cataloguing of the files onto the electronic database was done from the original files
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Record URL
- https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/91edfc08-78fd-43a0-8ac9-dd0325a60e06/
Catalogue hierarchy
This record is held at Lambeth Palace Library
Within the fonds: ECE
Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England
Within the sub-fonds: ECE/7
Operational Records
You are currently looking at the series: ECE/7/3
Pastoral Reorganisation Files ('six figure files')