Henry Finch (priest) facts for kids

Henry Finch (1633–1704) was an English minister who was forced to leave his church. He was known as an "ejected minister" because he couldn't agree with new laws about religion. He spent his life teaching and leading religious services for people who didn't follow the official church rules.

Henry Finch's Early Life and Ministry

Henry Finch was born in Standish, Lancashire, England, and was baptised on September 8, 1633. He went to grammar schools in Standish and Wigan. After preaching in an area called the Fylde country, he became the vicar of Walton-on-the-Hill, Lancashire, in 1656. This church parish included the big town of Liverpool at the time.

In 1659, Henry Finch was involved in a plan for a royalist uprising led by Sir George Booth. Because of this, the government took away his property. Later, in 1662, a new law called the Uniformity Act 1662 was passed. This law made it difficult for him to continue his work, and he was "ejected" or removed from his church.

He then moved to Warrington and lived there for some years with his wife's family. Another law, The Five Mile Act (1665), forced him to leave Warrington. So, he moved to Manchester, which was not a big city back then. There, he earned a living by running a school.

Continuing His Faith

While in Warrington and Manchester, Henry Finch still went to regular services at the official Church of England. However, he would sometimes preach on Sunday evenings in his own home. These gatherings were small because of the laws at the time.

In 1672, a special permission was given for some religious groups. Henry Finch got a license to be a "general presbyterian minister." He began to lead services at Birch Chapel in Rusholme, Lancashire. This chapel was owned by Thomas Birch of Birch Hall. Even though the official owners were the leaders of the collegiate church of Manchester, the chapel was used by nonconformists.

On October 29, 1672, Henry Finch helped with the first ordination (a special ceremony to make someone a minister) for nonconformists. This event took place at the home of Robert Eaton in Deansgate, Manchester.

Challenges and New Beginnings

When the Monmouth rebellion happened in 1685, Henry Finch was put in prison in Chester. But later, he was allowed to continue his ministry. The Toleration Act of 1689 helped people like him. However, Birch Chapel was a consecrated place (meaning it was officially blessed for Church of England use), so it couldn't be licensed as a nonconformist meeting house.

Henry Finch stayed at Birch Chapel until Thomas Birch the younger died in 1697. After that, the chapel was given back to its official owners. Finch then preached in licensed homes in Platt and Birch. In 1700, his friends built a new meeting house at Platt, and Henry Finch even helped pay for it. His son-in-law, James Grimshaw, gave the first sermon there.

Henry Finch was also part of a group of united ministers in Lancashire. This group was formed in 1693 and included both presbyterian and congregational ministers. He gave sermons to this group twice, in 1696 and 1700. He was a strong supporter of the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which changed who ruled England. He also helped people called "nonjurors," who refused to swear loyalty to the new king and queen.

Henry Finch passed away on November 13, 1704.

Henry's Son, Peter Finch

Henry Finch's son, Peter Finch (1661–1754), also became a presbyterian minister. He was born on October 6, 1661. In 1678, he began studying at a nonconformist academy. He then went to the University of Edinburgh and earned his master's degree in 1680.

In 1691, Peter Finch was invited to work as a minister in Norwich. He stayed there for over 62 years! He was known for helping keep peace among his church members, even when they had different ideas about religious teachings. He died on his 93rd birthday, October 6, 1754, and was buried in a church in Norwich. A small picture of him used to hang in the vestry of the Octagon Chapel.