Moral Welfare: The Church in the Vanguard of Thought and Action

Anglican moral welfare work expanded and developed between the late nineteenth century and the end of the twentieth century. This chapter explores the gendered dynamics of practical casework and educational projects which were aimed at a range of issues relating to sexual relationships. Before the expansion of state welfare, the church exerted considerable influence over a broad network of voluntary and professional organisations active in this field of social service. While its practical casework was eventually taken over by the state, the church continued to function as a centre of research and expertise on sexual matters long into the 1970s.