‘Bridled Emotion:’ English Free Churchmen, Culture and Catholic Values c. 1870 to c. 1945

Abstract

EARLY in 1871 an intelligent Anglican noblewoman visited one of the sights of Victorian England: The famous ‘Saltaire’, a complete settlement built by Sir Titus Salt for the work-people employed in his mighty factory (woollen and mixed fabrics). There are numbers of pretty almshouses, beautiful schools and cottages, a great self-supporting dining-hall, an infirmary, a splendid Mechanics’ Institute in course of building, and a big heathen temple in the midst, serving as Independent Chapel. [So much for what a local guidebook said was ‘stated to be the most exquisite example of pure Italian architecture in the kingdom,’ all its seats free.¹] We saw as much as we had time for. 1,000 looms at work. The inside of the chapel surprised me, for I fancied the Independents did not differ much from the Church in doctrine and Liturgy; but the arrangements did not look like this: the organ presides over the E. end, with the singers’ seats in front of it, and in front of them, the marble slab that serves for Communion table. However, Mr. Law [her host during the excursion] says that his sect would join the Church if she was disestablished.²