A TIMELINE OF CHRISTIANITY IN ENGLAND
By Tim Lambert
30 AD The Celts inhabit the British Isles including England. Their priests are called Druids
43 AD The Romans invade England. They eventually destroy the Druids but worship of Celtic gods continues.
180 By this time Christianity has been introduced into England
304 The first British martyr, St Alban is executed in a Roman town, which later becomes known as St Albans
407 The Roman army leaves England. Afterwards the Saxons, who are pagans invade England. They gradually conquer England and Christianity vanishes
However Christianity continues in Wales and it spreads to Ireland and Scotland
597 In the 6th century the Celts began to convert the North of England. However in this year the Pope sent men to Kent to begin converting the South.
664 At this time England was divided into small kingdoms. In this year a meeting is held at Whitby and Northumbria, the most powerful kingdom decides to follow the Roman not the Celtic tradition. The rest of England eventually followed.
680 Sussex is the last part of England to be converted to Christianity
1020-1088 St Dunstan lives. While he is Archbishop of Canterbury he reforms the monasteries in England. Under him there is a religious revival and many new churches and monasteries are built.
13th century Friars arrive in England. Like monks they take vows but unlike monks they do not withdraw from the world. Instead they go out and preach and help the poor.
14th century The Virgin Mary and the Saints start to play a much larger role in religion.
1328-1384 An early reformer called John Wycliffe lives in England. He translates the Bible into English and his followers are called Lollards.
1401 A law is passed that heretics can be burned to death in England
1534 Henry VIII breaks with the Pope and makes himself head of the Church in England. However Henry is not a Protestant! He tries to keep most of the old Catholic beliefs and practices.
1536-40 Henry VIII dissolves the monasteries
1547-1553 Under Henry's son Edward VI Protestant doctrines are introduced into England. Clergymen are allowed to marry. Pictures of Mary and the saints are removed from churches.
1553-1558 Edward's sister Mary tries to bring back Catholicism! She burns nearly 300 Protestants. However her efforts backfire and she simply creates martyrs.
1558 Elizabeth becomes queen. She restores Protestantism but many people think she has not gone far enough. They want to see the Church of England 'purified' of its Catholic elements. So they are called Puritans.
1612 In the early 17th century some Protestants refuse to attend the Church of England and form their own congregations. The first Baptist Church in England is formed in this year.
1633 William Laud become Archbishop of Canterbury. He tries to suppress the Puritans.
1661 The Corporation Act says that all officials in towns must be members of the Church of England
1662 The Act of Uniformity says that all clergy must use the Book of Common Prayer. As a result about 2,000 clergy resign.
1664 The Conventicle Act forbids unauthorised religious meetings of more than 5 people.
1665 The Five Mile Act forbids non-Anglican ministers from coming within 5 miles of incorporated towns.
1689 The Toleration Act allows non-conformists (Protestants who do not belong to the Church of England) to have their own places of worship and their own teachers and preachers. However they are not allowed to hold government positions or to attend university.
1739 John Wesley founds the Methodists
c.1790 A group of Evangelical Christians forms. They become known as the Clapham Sect because so many of them live in Clapham
1829 The Catholic Emancipation Act allows Roman Catholics to become MPs and to hold public office.
1851 A survey shows that only about 40% of the population were at Church of Chapel on a Sunday.
1865 William and Catherine Booth form a new organisation. In 1878 it is named the Salvation Army.
1900 Church-going begins to decline rapidly. However in the early 20th century Pentecostal Churches are formed.
1960s The gifts of the Holy Spirit spread from Pentecostal Churches to mainstream Churches
1970s The first 'house Churches' are formed
1990s The Alpha Course becomes a popular way of promoting Christianity
A history of Christianity in England
