Religion in Victorian Times: A Comprehensive Overview

During the Victorian era, religious practices and beliefs in the UK were quite diverse, with a significant portion of the population attending religious services regularly. Despite the prevalence of church architecture, the reality of religious attendance was more nuanced than one might assume from the architectural landscape.

Common Religious Practices and Beliefs

While people were more likely to attend religious services and be a member of a congregation than they are now, it is important to note that these individuals were not as religious as commonly believed. In many towns and cities, particularly in England, you would encounter large Victorian churches. However, these imposing structures were built to accommodate every parishioner, rather than being used frequently. Surveys show that only around half of the population attended a church service on a typical Sunday, and this was as low as 25% in centers of industrial cities. These numbers decreased gradually over the entire 19th and 20th centuries until less than 1% of the population attends on a normal Sunday, with more attendance at Christmas and Easter. Additionally, over a third of attendees are aged over 70.

Despite the significant disparity between church architecture and participation, there were still many individuals who were deeply religious. Household prayers and Bible readings were common, even among the wealthy. Some households even had chapels within their homes. On the other hand, there were also growing numbers of agnostics and atheists. There was still significant prejudice against Roman Catholics, Jews, and followers of other religions, although some areas like Manchester, Leeds, and the East End of London had notable Jewish populations, and there were Muslims and Hindus in major cities.

Education and Religious Influence in Schools

Religious education played a significant role in Victorian schools, with daily assemblies and hymns being a regular part of the school day. Almost all churches and chapels provided Sunday Schools, which focused on teaching Bible stories and reading to enable people to read the Bible and prayer books, albeit not writing, which was considered a secular skill. There was considerable debate about the historicity of the Bible, the life of Jesus, and the progress of the early Church. Books like "New Biblical Criticism" began to challenge traditional views on these topics, often causing great scandal due to their support for the idea that the Earth was many millions of years old—an idea gaining increasing acceptance at the time. Notable among these works was "Essays and Reviews," published in 1860, which contained essays by clergy and laypeople such as Frederick Temple, Rowland Williams, and others that significantly influenced Anglican thought.

Regulations and Religious Exclusions

During the Victorian era, there were strict regulations regarding religious beliefs and practices. Until 1871, attending university required being a member of the Church of England or prepared to pretend to be one. Similarly, military service and parliamentary roles were reserved for those who accepted religious oaths. Although some progress was made, such as Charles Bradlaugh's election and eventual affirmation in Parliament, significant changes in the law only came later. The law was changed in 1888 to allow people to affirm in Parliament and courts, reflecting a gradual shift in societal attitudes toward religious diversity and inclusivity.

Overall, the religious landscape of Victorian times was marked by a complex interplay of architectural grandiosity, active but selective participation, and evolving debates and regulations. Understanding these elements helps paint a comprehensive picture of the religious environment that shaped the Victorian era.