Diocesan magazines
From the 1860s onwards a steadily increasing number of British dioceses, especially in the Church of England, began issuing publications containing a variety of news, comment and educational articles relating to their work.
Similar examples were eventually added by a number of Roman Catholic dioceses and by various ecclesiastical denominations overseas.
[1] There had previously been a short-lived Oxford Parochial Magazine, but this had been neither published by nor centred on the diocese.
From the early 20th century many dioceses began to produce shorter monthly news bulletins or leaflets, often designed for possible inclusion as an insert within the local parish magazine.
These could either replace the older magazines (sometimes being quite similar to some of the less ambitious gazettes) or alternatively might be ancillary to them.
Occasionally the introduction of a new diocesan gazette might attract scepticism or controversy: in London diocese there were complaints of early high-handed techniques being used in efforts to increase their circulation.
Many of the earliest titles have now ceased publication, usually being replaced by new ventures meeting more modern needs.
Typical contents of the earlier magazines would include a pastoral letter from a bishop or another senior clergyman; theological reflections; particulars of the bishop's engagements during the coming month; comments on recent national or local news; details of forthcoming events and meetings; and particulars of recent clerical appointments.
As with the parish magazine the trouble seems to be a style of writing and a format which repels rather than attracts.
[4] There was some gradual increase in the use of engravings and photographs, particularly after the technological improvements in the 1890s, including halftone reproduction of illustrations and the introduction of offset printing.
Surviving examples of many of these publications can often be traced in libraries or in the episcopal collections held by the local county record office or county archive service (which today usually serves as the principal diocesan record office).
The British Library also holds many examples, although their integrated online catalogue[5] suggests that their overall coverage is still patchy.
In recent years an increasing number of dioceses have been publishing alternative versions of their latest periodicals in an online format.
[7] Bath & Wells Diocesan Gazette: some copies 1906-1954 (at least) in Somerset Record Office.
[8] Manna, quarterly magazine launched Sep 2010 including online version.
[10] Birmingham Diocesan Magazine (being the messenger of the Bishop and a monthly record of church work in the diocese); edited by the Rev.
Jan. 1952- (still current, four-page magazine insert]) 8º[5] The Way (originally The Way in Cumbria), a colour newspaper of Carlisle diocese but subsequently expanded to include other denominations within the county, three times yearly (Easter, Summer & Christmas), c1994-date) CHELMSFORD: St. Albans & Chelmsford Diocesan Gazette,.
Replaced by Exeter Diocesan News 1983-date, monthly, still in progress, see county library list.
It seems to have been a localised version of the Mission Life magazine, with early editions being published or printed at Derby by Bemrose & Sons.
[11] Lichfield Diocesan Magazine a monthly record of church work for the diocese, 1880, etc.
5 (1930)-[11] Diocesan leaflet, late 1940s, described as a better style … printed in Crown 8vo size instead of the more common quarto size, it has eight pages of good readable type, mostly in double columns, with ample white space between the paragraphs and good titling.
[11] Diocesan Magazine Crux (stray issues 1970s; online version current 2010s).
Publishers: London, E Thompson, 3 Burleigh Street, Strand; Oxford, W R Bowden.
[37] Diocesan Magazine, first issue 1868; favourably mentioned by a correspondent to "Reading Mercury", 21 March 1868.
"Published by Messrs. Macintosh" and containing "a large amount of very interesting Missionary Intelligence"; further commended by the diocesan bishop.
in [6] National Library of Wales Teulu St Asaph, online diocesan magazine, from 2007[40] ST DAVIDS: Diocesan Gazette & Ruridecanal Chronicle: quarterly from Aug 1900[41] Esgobaeth Ty Ddewi Taflen Yr Esgobaeth/Diocese of St Davids Diocesan Leaflet: quarterly from c1976 (No.
Pobl Dewi: quarterly newspaper from Dec 2003- ; [7] Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine see online archive ST EDMUNDSBURY & IPSWICH: Diocesan Magazine, volume xxi by 1935 so presumably commencing almost from the foundation of the diocese in 1914.
Specially commended during the late 1940s as being very well printed, newsy in the right way, and with an excellent cover ... Incidentally it carries quite a lot of advertisements and is sold for 2d, a price at which no one can cavil at if value is given.
TRURO: The Church in Cornwall, introduced under bishop Edward White Benson by 1878;[44] 1872-1883 in British Library[5] Truro Diocesan Magazine, a monthly record of church work for the diocese.
ARGYLL & THE ISLES: News and Views from around the Diocese, quarterly from c1980 (No 22, Autumn 1985); includes Bishop's Diary and also contributions from individual congregations.
