PARISH AND PEOPLE was founded in 1949. This was the British response to the 'Liturgical Movement' which was influencing many denominations in continental Europe. Leading lights were Fr Gabriel Hebert SSM and Henry de Candole, later Bishop of Knaresborough. The Liturgical Movement brought about a quiet revolution in popularising the parish communion, making The Lord's Service for the Lord's People on the Lord's Day the main worship event in each parish. Henry de Candole pioneered the Parish Communion at St John's Newcastle in December 1927, though he did not claim to be the first. The broadcaster Canon Eric James was perhaps Parish & People's best known Director. Its secretary until 1970 was the late John Hammersley, whose autobiographical Every Step of the Way has recently been published by P&P, together with his Psalms of Life, which are also available on a dedicated website. He died on November 1 2004 - appropriately All Saints Day.

In 1963 Parish & People merged with the Keble Conference Group to spearhead movements towards team ministry, synodical government and church unity.

In 1970 it was largely responsible for the formation of the 'ONE for Christian Renewal', transferring its assets and membership to the new ecumenical grouping. After that a small editorial team, convened until his death by Canon Peter Croft, published leaflets within the Church of England to encourage new thinking and practice in liturgy, collaborative ministry and training. The team is now convened by Frank Harris, whose Daybreak 'thoughts' on BBC Radio York have been published by P&P.

From 1978 until 2000, Parish & People was responsible for publishing SYNEWS, an unofficial daily newsheet distributed to members of General Synod at their summer sessions in York. The official Church of England archivist made sure she never missed a copy !

Since 1989 the main focus of its publishing team has been the Deanery Resource Unit.

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