Catholic Evidence Guild, Westminster

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0122 CEG
Held at	: Westminster Diocesan Archives   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://rcdow.org.uk/diocese/archives/ ›
Full title	: Catholic Evidence Guild, Westminster
Date(s)	: 1918-2007
Level of description	: Collection (fonds)
Extent	: 17 boxes
Name of creator(s)	: Catholic Evidence Guild | Westminster

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

The Westminster chapter of the Catholic Evidence Guild, was commissioned by the Archbishop of Westminster in London, 1918. The purpose of the guild was to prepare the way to conversions to Roman Catholicism by overcoming incorrect impressions about the Church and its teachings. The best known site for its talks was Speakers' Corner, Hyde Park and Tower Hill was another favorite location. Weather permitting, the guild was active twice a week except during the coldest months. Members trained two other nights each week, deepening their knowledge of the subject for their talk, gaining a broad perspective of the main points of Catholic teaching, giving practice talks, and learning how to deal with hostile crowds. The guild in England was primarily composed of dedicated lay people but also included a few priests.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Papers of the Westminster chapter of the Catholic Evidence Guild, 1918-2007, including minutes of the Inter Guild Conferences, 1928-1986; minutes of the Westminster Catholic Evidence Guild, Oct 1920-Sep 1986; minutes of the practical training committee, 24 May 1929-Jun 1939 and 19 Jul 1941; library records, May 1964-1981; photograph albums and loose photographs; press cuttings, 1925-1926; book: The Catholic Evidence Movement, by Henry Browne, (London, 1921); report of the Westminster meeting, 1918; Birmingham Guild handbook, 1921; Inter Guild conference handbooks, 1924-1972; 'The Guildsman' and 'Guild Newsletter', Jun 1972-2007.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

As outlined in Scope and Content.

Conditions governing access:

Open for consultation by appointment only between 12:00-5:00, Mondays and Wednesdays. Call: 0207 938 3580 or email: archivist@rcdow.org.uk for appointments.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copies, subject to condition of the original, may be supplied for research use only on the undertaking of a copyright declaration. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Westminster Roman Cathlic Diocesan Trustees.

Finding aids:

Box list available in the Archive's reading room.

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

On permenant loan to the Wesminster Diocesan Archives, 1999.

Allied Materials

Related material:

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Compiled by Sarah Drewery.
Sources: http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1999/9907fea3.asp

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
Sep 2008