| Administrative History | The Missionary Electric Light Company was founded 5 March 1908 as a support group for an 'Own [CMS] Missionary' (ie one who they would supported in part or whole). The idea sprang from a suggestion in a book by Irene Barnes called "Pip and Co" [published by CMS]. The first missionary to be supported was G T Basden who worked in Nigeria (Oka). The main company was based at Widcombe, Bath, but there were also branches at Finchley (inaugurated September 1911), Taunton, Dulwich, and New Ferry Cheshire (Mersey Missionary Light and Power Company). The president was Miss Irene Barnes The committee included Harold E Guillebaud [CMS missionary in Rwanda]. Source: Information supplied by CMS Archivist. |
| Custodial History | Deposited with the CMS in May 1980 and transferred to the Special Collections Department in July 2003 |