Elsie Chamberlain Commemorative Plaque

30 September 2016

Exciting news! A bid for an Islington People's Plaque commemorating the life of Rev Elsie Chamberlain has reached the final 10 nominations! We are hoping that an official commemorative plaque will be erected on the site of her birthplace in Canonbury, Islington. Elsie Chamberlain was one of the most cited as people’s ‘hero’ of the faith by Congregationalists who took part in the Congregational Distinctive project.

Alan Argent’s book, Elsie Chamberlain: The Independent Life of a Woman Minister, says: Elsie Chamberlain was a leading figure in British broadcasting and religious life. She was a pioneer in many areas: the first woman chaplain to the armed forces; the first nonconformist minister to marry an Anglican clergyman; the first woman producer in the religious broadcasting department of the BBC and the first woman to present the daily service on the radio. Her broadcasting accustomed many listeners to the idea of a woman leading public worship. And she became the first woman to occupy the chair of the Congregational Union of England and Wales and almost certainly the first woman anywhere in the world to head a major denomination.

That major denomination, of course, was us! Or at least our predecessor. And she is still very much in the minds and hearts of Congregationalists.

So please take the time to support this nomination for a commemorative plaque by VOTING on the Islington People's Plaques Scheme 2016/17, and PASSING THIS MESSAGE ON to as many as you think might be interested.

Voting is open till Wednesday 30th November 2016.