Lives in Cricket No 51 - Rev ES Carter

west front and bell cote were both erected in 1867 only 15 years before Edmund Carter became Vicar, again demonstrating the importance of this church in the structure of the Church of England in York. In 1884 Carter was appointed by the Archbishop of York to a committee whose remit was to consider the needs of various parts of the city where additional church accommodation was required. That committee may have found its work unrewarding for Carter found himself appointed to an almost identical committee 15 years later. In this Victorian era of a growing Church of England Carter was always well to the fore in York. Like other parishes, St Michael’s had its lean period long after Carter died, but for the last 40 years or so from 1975 it has been a centre for ‘Charismatic Evangelism’ and its lively and full congregation reflect that movement within the Church of England. It is difficult to find any analysis of Carter’s work as an important cleric. However within three years of his appointment to St Michael-le-Belfrey he did persuade the Archbishop of York, William Thomson (Archbishop 1862 to 1890), to open his church bazaar with specific fund raising for a new organ at a cost of some £900. This was in April 1885, reported in the Yorkshire Gazette of 11 April. The Archbishop in opening this event, and having said that he disliked bazaars added these remarks: “St Michael- le-Belfrey has somewhat of a claim upon the public for with my own hands I have confirmed something like 12,000 children from various parishes around this particular church. It has always been a kind of pro-cathedral for diocesan purposes.” Then he turned to consider its vicar with remarks both complimentary and perhaps waspish: “Mr Carter is a musical authority, and an authority on many other things, and he might mention that 300 brother cricketers or more have already contributed to this organ fund. He is a well known authority on all athletic matters as well as being a very efficient and zealous clergyman and a great favourite with those who know him (laughter)”. Within a month there was another gathering at the church. This York 48