The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries saw a complete revolution in English society. Changes in agricultural systems, caused a largely rural population to become a predominantly urban one, centred on the new manufacturing enterprises of the Industrial Revolution.

The Mariners Church in Gloucester Docks is and example of a church built in Victorian Times in order to meet the spiritual needs of the sailors, boatmen and labourers who worked in the new industries.

The non-conformist influence grew, both in religious charge and the anti-slavery movement and was led by men such as John and Charles Wesley and George Whitfield. Whitfield was born in Gloucester, met the Wesleys at Oxford and became part of the ‘Methodist’ club at that university. On being ordained the all spent some time in the colonies of America, returning to the coalfields of Bristol and the industrial areas of Gloucestershire.

The activities of the Wesleys led to the formation of the breakaway Methodist Church. Banned from most churches they preached in the open air and their evangelical enthusiasm caused a great stir. They were gladly received in many settlements across Gloucestershire, although they were not welcome everywhere. Charles Wesley was stoned in St Briavels and George Whitfield was attacked in Minchinhampton.

The evangelical movement became incorporated into the mainstream Church of England in the nineteenth century and the Gloucestershire men influenced two other movements at this time.

The Rev. John Keble, son of a Gloucestershire clergyman, together with his brother Thomas, Vicar of Bisley, was instrumental in forging the influential High Church Tractarian or Oxford movement. An example of the enthusiasm of these young men can be seen in the church they sponsored at Bussage. The church at Highnam, built by Gambier-Parry, also reflects the movements’ aims to bring back ritual and ornament into the Church of England.

Robert Raikes, the owner of a Gloucestershire newspaper, was the founder of the Sunday schools movement. Raikes opened the first Sunday school for workers at St Catherine Street in Gloucester, despite employers’ loudly voiced fears that it was dangerous to educate the working classes.

The Catholic faith experienced resurgence in Gloucestershire during Victorian times. This growth is illustrated by the development of Catholic churches across the county, two examples being St Peters in Gloucester and St Gregory the Great in Cheltenham.