Lancashire people have always been noted for being ground breakers. And in terms of Non-Conformist church history Fleetwood can claim a small part in the place of women in the church.

At a time when, unless you were Anglican, you were prevented from attending university, and even from being an MP, or holding a civic office or a commission in the armed forces, Lancashire provided a university level education through its independent colleges. From these small colleges what became the Lancashire Independent College was also at the forefront of having a sympathetic attitude to accepting women to be trained as ministers of religion. So where does the Fleetwood church come into this story?

One woman, Constance Clark, spent her early years in Fleetwood. And it was here in Fleetwood, and later in Southport, Constance was encouraged in her wish to seek a form of full-time service to the church. And some time around 1924-1925 she was accepted as a student at the Lancashire college.

The acceptance of women was not without problems. The colleges were single sex: male. Women had to lodge out. Where the training was to degree level women students were prevented from entering, even dining in, areas of the buildings. There was an attempt to limit their work to activities ‘best fitted to women’. Further, there were other problems. Some colleges, having accepted women students, became more conservative – that is putting it politely – and for several years women students were not accepted. (One argument went that there was no demand. Another was that local churches would not accept women ministers.)

Constance was about 22 or 23 years old when she became a student at Lancashire College. She was a successful student and following ordination accepted a call to serve in the city of Leeds. Her long ministry there was particularly productive and she made a deep impression on the life of the city. In due course Constance Clark was elected chairman of the Yorkshire Congregational Union. Constance Clark died in 1969 aged 67.

Fleetwood’s place in church history. Who knows where events lead when we encourage people to fulfil their wishes as the Fleetwood church did with Constance Clark?

*****

Acknowledgement: Extract from Daughters of Dissent by Elaine Kaye etal published by The United Reformed Church. See also www.womenpriests.org.