Bishop Wilberforce’s Visit 1854

 

Below is an account of the visit to Marston in 1854 by Bishop Wilberforce on behalf of the Oxford Diocese Archdeaconary

 

1. Richard Gordon, Elsfield Vicarage. Instituted and inducted in April 1849.

2. [ He has during the last year been resident during the time prescribed by law?] No, he has resided on the adjoining benefice of Elsfield.

3. The Curate has performed the whole Sunday duty. He himself visits the sick, attends the school and takes occasional duty.

4. He holds the Vicarage of Elsfield also, the duty of which he has performed.

5. [Is the Curate licensed – what is the date of his license?] Yes. May 16 1849.

6. [Curates name? Priest or Deacon?] Thomas Henry Whorwood, priest.

7. As incumbent he performs the whole duty of the adjoining benefice of Elsfield.

8. Sunday services and 11am and 2.30pm. Sermons at each, excepting those days on which the communion is administered or the children catechised.

9. Preparatory to a Confirmation it is usual to catechise and explain the Catechism to the school children in Church and frequently to hear them catechised by the Master on Sunday afternoons in school.

10. [How ofter do you administer the Sacrament...?] Generally on the first Sunday in the month, excepting on one of those months which have one of the great festivals.

11. [Number of communicants] On the festivals, from fifteen to twenty-five. [About the same] <crossed out> From fifteen to twenty-five on other Sundays. [ I do not keep] <crossed out> A list of communicants is not kept.

12. [Number of congregation] In the morning from thirty to fifty adults, in the evening from 65 to 85. It is perhaps, a little increasing in the evenings, not in the mornings.

13. [Does it bear a fair proportion to the population of the parish? If not, to what do you attribute the deficiency?] It does not.

14. [Objects for which charity sermons have been preached during the last year.] One for the society for the propagation of the Gospel.

15. [What schools?] One efficient National school numbering from 60 to 70 children, a few more attend the Sunday School. There is also a Dame's school, where a few young children receive instruction. The National school is supported partly by children's pence, partly by subscription, but principally by the Incumbent who alone is responsible to the Master and Mistress for their salary.

16. [Are you able to retain your young people in your Sunday School after they have ceased to attend daily school?] A very small proportion.

17. [Have you employed any other method of retaining them under instruction?] During the last winter a few young men attended an Evening school.

18. & 19. [On the number and places of worship of Dissenters] None

19. No return [to the recent census of members of the church and of Dissenters] was made.

20. [On impediments to the incumbents' ministry. No answer seems to have been made.]

21. [Is the church in good repair?... Do the churchwardens do their duties?] Yes

22. [Any alterations since last visitations?] No

23. [Is there any other matter which you consider it expedient to bring under the Bishop's notice? No answer seems to have been made.]

 

National Schools.... were supported by the National Society for the Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church.

 

Bishop Wilberforce's Visitation Returns for the Archdeaconry of Oxford in the year 1854 [ORS 35. Ed E.P. Baker (1954)]