Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
The Christian Brotherly Society (CBS) was founded at Dr Rippon's Meeting House, Carter Lane, Tooley Street, Southwark in 1783. From the beginning the main purpose of the Society was to provide a weekly allowance to members during ill-health. The Society also paid sums of money at the death of members (or their wives) and during periods of hardship.
Until its dissolution in 1980 the CBS was a registered Friendly Society.
Admission to the Society was dependent upon nomination by an existing member but certain other criteria had also to be fulfilled. Members had to make a profession of Christian belief (most were Nonconformists) and were expected to have a "moral character". Applicants also had to be between the ages of 16 and 30 (later 17 and 40) and engaged in a suitable trade. Soldiers and sailors were amongst those not admitted!
Funds were raised by monthly subscriptions but also by a series of fines imposed for a variety of reasons. For example, non attendance at meetings or refusing to serve the office of steward at meetings. Such payments are well documented in the records.