Colonial Despatches

The British Colonial Missionary Society, also known as the Commonwealth Missionary Society, was established in 1836 to promote congregationalism in the English-speaking colonies.1 The society's purpose was to promote education and religion in the British colonies, primarily to spread the Christian faith in the non-European world. The society grew rapidly and by 1842 it had established mission stations in Wellington, New Zealand, and Canada. By the late-nineteenth century, the society had expanded to include South Africa, Australia, and the British West Indies.2

Originally, members of the society were unpaid and volunteered their services; however this eventually changed with salaried officials who were responsible for the administrative side of the society. In 1956 the society changed its name from the British Colonial Missionary Society to the Commonwealth Missionary Society.3

In 1966, the society merged with the London Missionary Society to create the Congregational Council for World Mission.4

• 1. Commonwealth Missionary Society, British religious organization, Britannica.
• 2. Ibid.; Commonwealth Missionary Society, Archives Hub.
• 3. Commonwealth Missionary Society, Archives Hub.
• 4. Ibid.