Henry Venn (Clapham Sect) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Henry Venn
1770 by Mason Chamberlin the elder
Born	1725 Barnes, Surrey
Died	1797 Yelling, Huntingdonshire
Nationality	English
Occupation	Evangelical minister Author
Known for	Founder of the Clapham Sect

Henry Venn (born in 1725, died in 1797) was an important English church leader. He was an evangelical minister and helped start the Clapham Sect. This was a very influential group within the Church of England.

Henry Venn's Early Life and Education

Henry Venn was born in 1725 in Barnes, Surrey, England. He was the third son of Richard Venn, who was also a priest in London.

Henry went to the University of Cambridge starting in 1742. He studied at two colleges there: St John's and Jesus College. He earned his first degree in 1745 and a master's degree in 1749. Henry was also good at sports; he played cricket for a team called All England against Surrey.

Becoming a Church Leader

In 1749, Henry Venn became a priest in the Church of England. He was also chosen as a fellow at Queens' College, Cambridge. A fellow is like a senior member or teacher at a college.

He worked in a few different places as a curate, which is a priest who helps a main priest. He worked in Barton, Cambridgeshire, and then in London and Surrey. People started to call him a Methodist. This term was used for people who were very enthusiastic about their faith, like evangelicals.

Henry taught the Bible in his home. Because of his teachings, the number of people attending church in West Horsley grew a lot. It went from twelve people to sixty.

Work in Huddersfield and Yelling

From 1759 to 1771, Henry Venn was the vicar of Huddersfield Parish Church. A vicar is a type of priest in charge of a church and its area. In Huddersfield, he met other priests who shared his strong evangelical beliefs.

In 1771, he moved to Yelling, a village in Huntingdonshire. Many important visitors came to see him there, including other well-known church leaders. Henry Venn died in Yelling in 1797. There is a special plaque in the church there to remember him. The Church of England remembers Henry Venn on July 1st each year.

Henry Venn's Writings

Henry Venn was also known for writing a book called The Compleat Duty of Man. He wrote this book in 1763. His goal was to add to an older book called Whole Duty of Man. He wanted to share his evangelical ideas and teachings in his own book.

Henry Venn's Family

Henry Venn married a woman who was the daughter of another priest, Dr. Thomas Bishop. Henry Venn's family continued to be important in the church for many years.

• His son, John Venn, helped start the Church Missionary Society (CMS). This group worked to spread Christianity around the world.
• His granddaughter, Charlotte Elliott, wrote many famous hymns, including "Just as I Am". Her brothers were also priests.
• Another grandson, also named Henry Venn, was a very important leader of the Church Missionary Society from 1841 to 1873. He helped shape how Christian missions worked, focusing on local churches leading themselves.
• His great-grandson was John Venn, a famous logician and philosopher. He is known for creating the Venn diagram, which you might have seen in math or logic classes!