Elsie Chamberlain 1910-1991—The Independent Life of a Woman Minister

Elsie Chamberlain (1910-91) was a leading figure in feminism, broadcasting and the churches. At her death many tributes were paid, including an appreciation of her on Womans Hour on Radio 4 and all the serious newspapers published obituaries. More than any other person in this country, she changed the way people regarded Christian women ministers in a positive direction. She was a first in many areas. She was the first woman chaplain to the armed forces (the RAF). She was the first nonconformist minister to marry an Anglican clergyman. She was the first woman producer in the religious broadcasting dept of the BBC and the first woman to present the daily service on the radio (she worked for the BBC 1950-67). She was the first woman to occupy the chair of the Congregational Union of England and Wales and almost certainly the first woman anywhere in the world to head a major denomination. In all that, this courageous pioneer confronted and overcame determined prejudice and hostility. She attended many ecumenical assemblies, including the inaugural meeting of the World Council of Churches in 1948.

Alan Argent has a PhD in London history 1640-49, and has taught church history for Birkbeck College, University of London. He has edited the Congregational History Society Magazine since 1992. He is minister of Trinity Congregational Church, Brixton, having also served churches in Morden and Wimbledon.