England’s first female church warden
- 15th December 2025
The 1921 census helps Carol find out more about one of the residents of her village and a surprising connection between them.
Colleagues were looking for the announcement of a birth in the Berrows newspaper of April 1931, when they found an obituary for Jane Brookes of Bishampton, who claimed to be the first female church warden to be appointed in England. Being a churchwarden and from that village, I took an immediate interest in her.
Further searches of Worcestershire newspapers (now available online at The Hive) showed that she was elected in April 1903.
Copyright Berrows Journal (Newsquest).
She was a Vicar’s warden rather than a parish warden. Presumably the male parish warden dealt with the business of the parish such as raising poor relief whilst Jane dealt with matters relating directly to the church.
1921 census. Crown copyright.
The 1921 census names her as living at Bunns Ley, Bishampton (the property still carries that name today), her profession is noted as shopkeeper and farmer and Walter Horton, her nephew, is boarding with her. In the local reference library in The Hive, we have a book entitled’ Bishampton Remembered’ and there is a photograph of Jane with Walter outside her home.
Photograph found in ‘Bishampton Remembered’. Copyright unknown. If you have any further details please let us know.
Archives are amazing! From a chance discovery I found the identity of a woman in my village who held a role like mine some 90 years ago. Not only do I know where she lived, I know what she looked like! I wonder if she was aware that she was a ground breaker?
Post a Comment