Title: Religion in industrial society : Oldham and Saddleworth, 1740-1865 /
Authors: Smith, Mark
Publisher: Clarendon Press ; Oxford University Press,
Year: 1994
Subjects: Church work with the working class England Greater Manchester History.; City churches England Greater Manchester History.; Greater Manchester (England) Church history; Greater Manchester (England) Church history
Abstract: "This book analyses the way British churches sought to meet the challenge of industrialization and urbanization during the period 1740-1865. Working from a case-study of Oldham and Saddleworth, Mark Smith challenges the received view that the Anglican church in the eighteenth century was characterized by complacency and inertia, and reveals Anglicanism's vigorous and creative response to the new conditions. He reassesses the significance of the centrally directed church reforms of the mid-nineteenth century, and emphasizes the importance of local energy and enthusiasm."--BOOK JACKET. "Charting the growth of denominational pluralism in Oldham and Saddleworth, Dr Smith compares the strengths and weaknesses of the various Anglican and nonconformist approaches to promoting church growth. He also demonstrates the extent to which all the churches participated in a common culture shaped by the influence of evangelicalism, and shows that active co-operation between the churches rather than denominational conflict predominated."--BOOK JACKET. "This challenging and original study makes an important contribution both to the social history of religion and to urban studies."--BOOK JACKET.
Contents: An industrial society -- The 'Unreformed' establishment -- The 'Reformed' establishment -- Dissent old and new -- Wesleyan theme and methodist variations -- An evangelical consensus -- 'And was Jerusalem builded here'?.