Seal of the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts

Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (SPG), formed in 1701, was a missionary organization of the Church of England. In 1965, the SPG merged with Universities' Mission to Central Africa (UMCA) to form the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (USPG). In 1968 the Cambridge Mission to Delhi (CMD) also joined the USPG. A missionary is a propagator of religion, often an evangelist or other representative of a religious community who works among those outside of that community. ... The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, and acts as the mother and senior branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion, as well as a founding member of the Porvoo Communion. ...

History of the SPG

Around the start of the 18th century, Henry Compton the Bishop of London requested Rev. Dr. Thomas Bray to report on the state of the Church of England in the American Colonies. Dr. Bray reported that the Anglican Church in America had "little spiritual vitality" and was "in a poor organisational condition". On June 16, 1701 King William III issued a charter establishing the SPG as "an organisation able to send priests and schoolteachers to America to help provide the Church's ministry to the colonists". The society’s first missionaries started work in North America in 1702, and in the West Indies in 1703. Its charter soon expanded to include "evangelisation of slaves and Native Americans." By 1710 SPG officials stated that "conversion of heathens and infidels ought to be prosecuted preferably to all others." By the time of the American Revolution, the SPG had employed about 300 missionaries in North America and soon expanded to Australia, New Zealand and West Africa. The SPG was also important in the establishment of the Episcopal Church. (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... Henry Compton (1632 - July 7, 1713), English divine, was the sixth and youngest son of the second earl of Northampton. ... Arms of the Bishop of London The Bishop of London is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury. ... The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, and acts as the mother and senior branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion, as well as a founding member of the Porvoo Communion. ... Betsy Ross purportedly sewed the first American flag with 13 stars and 13 stripes representing each of the 13 colonies. ... The Anglican Communion is a world-wide organisation of Anglican Churches. ... June 16 is the 167th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (168th in leap years), with 198 days remaining. ... Events January 18 - Frederick I becomes King of Prussia. ... William III King of England, Scotland and Ireland William III and II (14 November 1650–8 March 1702; also known as William Henry and William of Orange) was Prince of Orange from his birth, King of England and Ireland from 13 February 1689, and King of Scotland from 11 April... Events March 8 - William III died; Princess Anne Stuart becomes Queen Anne of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... The Caribbean or the West Indies is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. ... Events February 2 - Earthquake in Aquila, Italy February 4 - In Japan, the 47 samurai commit seppuku (ritual suicide) February 14 - Earthquake in Norcia, Italy April 21 - Company of Quenching of Fire (ie. ... // Events April 10 - The worlds first copyright legislation became effective, Britains Statute of Anne Ongoing events Great Northern War (1700-1721) War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713) Births January 3 - Richard Gridley, American Revolutionary soldier (d. ... The American Revolution is the series of events, ideas, and changes that resulted in the political separation of thirteen colonies in North America from the British Empire and the creation of the United States of America. ... West Africa is the region of. ... The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Washington DC is the national cathedral of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. ...

In 1820 the SPG sent missionaries to India, and in 1821 to South Africa. It later expanded outside the British Empire, to China in 1863 and Japan 1873. By then the society's focus was more on the care for indigenous people than for colonists. In 1866 the SPG established the: 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1821 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... The British Empire was the worlds first global power and the largest empire in history. ... 1863 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1873 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calaber). ... 1866 is a common year starting on Monday. ...

"Ladies’ Association for Promoting the Education of Females in India and other Heathen Countries in Connection with the Missions of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel."

In 1895 this group was updated to the: 1895 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

"Women’s Mission Association for the Promotion of Female Education in the Missions of the SPG,"

which allowed British and Irish women themselves to become missionaries. During this period the SPG also supported increasing numbers of indigenous missionaries of both sexes, as well as medical missionary work. The SPG continued is the missionary work for Churches of England, Wales, and Ireland until its merger in with the Universities’ Mission to Central Africa in 1965.

SPG in Australia

Extract from Kuchel family history (1838-1970) Hahndorf, South Australia: Hahndorf (35°01′ S 138°49′ E) is a small town about 30 minutes drive out of Adelaide, South Australia along the Princes Highway. ...

"Kirchenbergen comprised three sections of land totalling about 240 acres [1 km²] out of 400 acres [1.6 km²] of Crown lands in a special survey that was purchased by the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts on 15th May, 1841. It cannot be ascertained under what tenure the Kuchels held Kirchenbergen originally, but in 1863 the Society for the Propogation of the Gospel granted them a lease (in which they were described as "farmers") for a period of 20 years.

The rent was fixed at 89 pounds a year for the first seven years and 89 pounds a year for the remainder of the term, so they allowed for inflation in those days. Among the conditions of the lease were:

- to cultivate and to plant on the said land during the first seven years 4.5 acres [18,000 m²] of vines,

- to repair, uphold, amend and keep in repair the erections, buildings and fences upon the said premises, and

- not to let, underlet or assign over or otherwise part with any portion of the said premises without the consent in writing of the said Society."

References

• United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel