Ecclesiastical Commissioners. In 1835 commissioners were appointed to inquire into the revenues of the bishoprics, cathedrals, &c. of England and Wales, with a view to the more equal distribution of such revenues, and to a better provision for the spiritual necessities of the people. The commissioners presented four very valuable reports, and on their recommendation a permanent Commission was established by act of parliament in 1836. The Commission now consists of the archbishops and bishops, the deans of Canterbury, St Paul's, and Westminster, certain judges and ministers of state, eleven eminent laymen appointed by the crown (of whom two are appointed to act as Church Estates Commissioners), and a third Church Estates Commissioner appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The commissioners are a corporation, empowered to hold lands and other property. The powers of the Church Building Commissioners were transferred to them in 1856. Though the acts which relate to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners are numerous and complicated, the general outline of their duties is tolerably clear. Certain canonries, prebends, and other offices have been suppressed by parliament; the revenues of other offices have been restricted to a fixed sum, under schemes of reform prepared by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and sanctioned by the Queen in Council. The revenues thus set free have been carried to a common fund, out of which grants are made in aid of poor benefices and of the new districts created to meet the wants of the more populous and necessitous parts of the country. Under the Church Building Acts the Commissioners have power to divide and unite parishes, and to make new districts for ecclesiastical purposes. Reports of the work of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners are laid annually before parliament. Their proceedings have seldom led to political discussion; but the very large powers which they exercise render them liable to keen criticism from clergymen and others interested in church matters.
The Ecclesiastical Commissioners are the largest landowners in England; their estates, about 300,000 acres, comprising much of the best agricultural land in the country. The increase due to them in incomes of benefices is over £1,000,000 per annum.