The company was a subsidiary of John Player & Sons of Imperial Tobacco Co. Churchman was notable for producing one million cigarettes a day.

[1] The company also released (like many other tobacco manufacturers at that time) a line of collectible cards about diverse topics, but mainly focused on sports.

The original shop, which sold pipe tobacco, was located at Hyde Park Corner in Ipswich.

Wills, John Player & Sons, Lambert & Butler, Hignett Brothers (with their associated firms) and Stephen Mitchell & Son, with six other firms, joined forces to found the Imperial Tobacco Company, Ltd., in 1901.

[3] As the company expanded with increased sales, it opened a new facility at the junction of Portman Road and Princes Street.