[Bell Historians] Minsters

[A Willis]

If I remember rightly, the term 'Minster' goes back to the early days of the
church in this country, and seems to have no specific meaning although, as
you say, it generally implies a church with jurisdiction over a fairly wide
area. Presumably it is this non-specificity which made the modern CofE
decide to use it to give airs and graces to the parish churches of newly
elevated cities.


I believe that there is serious consideration being given to abolishing
parishes (a Norman development) in urban areas and introducing a
'minster'system in order to make best use of resources. See www.ecclsoc.org
and the paper 'How do we keep our parish churches'.

AW