Roman Catholicism in Bedfordshire 1700-1900

An account of the revival of Catholicism in Bedfordshire from 1700 to 1900, including a selection of key documents and relevant registers.

This volume draws on a range of evidence to illustrate the revival and growth of Catholicism in Bedfordshire between 1700 and 1900. Active opposition to such a revival was only to be expected in Bunyan's county and the volume tells how this was gradually overcome, so that by the end of the period a number of Catholic churches had been well established across the county. Their growth is illustrated by the detailed baptism, marriage and death registers for Shefford (1770s-1850s), Bedford (1860s-1900) and Leighton Buzzard (1890s-1900), that are included and that provide an invaluable source of information about the make-up of the congregations. The account is also enriched by the inclusion of key original documents, correspondence, visitation reports and newspaper accounts.

We can also see the contributions made to this growth by national and local individuals, from trades people to members of the nobility, who contributed to the building of a number of local churches and the support of the clergy. The county also became the home of a small diocesan theological college and a nationally recognised boys' orphanage and home. The invaluable work of members of the clergy is examined, along with their contribution to reducing the longstanding anti-Catholicism that had existed across the county. Much remained to be done, but much had also been accomplished.