church rate

nounEcclesiastical.

(formerly in England and Ireland) a compulsory assessment imposed on the parishioners' holdings of houses or land in order to repair the parish church and maintain its services.

Origin of church rate

First recorded in 1705–15

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

In 1833 the Church-rate question was originally raised in Bungay, and many of the Dissenters refused to pay.
East Anglia | J. Ewing Ritchie
The poor rate is no longer made at the Vestry; the church rate is a thing of the past; and what is then left?
The Hills and the Vale | Richard Jefferies
This was done at an expense of 5,000l., which was met by a church-rate of sixpence in the pound, spreading over three years.
The Church Index | William Pepperell
This covers everything, and beyond it there is nothing but a church-rate, voluntarily given, amounting to about 25l.
The Church Index | William Pepperell
On one occasion there was a most hot debate on the voting of a church-rate, which should embrace a new pulpit.
Stories of Comedy | Various

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