Typically they were named after Christian saints including St Thomas, St Mary, St Bartholomew and St George.
The Church of England also founded schools on a massive scale in the 19th century. Some of our best-known figures such as David Lloyd-George were educated in them. They are still regarded as better than other schools although, to its shame, the Church meekly submitted to the almost total take-over by the state. The Church also used to have a big role administering welfare aid to the poor in a variety of ways. Church-supported and inspired charities were enormously important. The Church was therefore seen not as it is now – as a Left-inclined lecturer sitting on the sidelines, offering unwanted opinions on matters beyond its expertise. It was perceived as a vigorous and sincere offeror of help and succour to those in need.
Of course the Church does still provide help to the needy. But it is on a puny scale compared to what it was. And the Archbishop does not make this the focus of his energies. It really is a waste that he should be commenting on the regulation of short-selling when, for example, he could be urging wealthy people to create a fund to pay for cancer drugs that the NHS will not supply. Or he could be creating new Church schools that are truly independent and thus able to regain some of the excellence they once had. Action and leadership and purpose would get him respect. Expressing political views is bound to offend half the people all of the time.
If he really thinks that government should provide all welfare and there is no role for the Church or for individuals, then he really is letting his Left-wing views interfere with his Christianity. Frankly, it is amazing and appalling that a whole raft of individuals from David Beckham to Bill Gates are better know for their charitable efforts than is the Church of England.
Dr Rowan will get a lot of stick for his latest remarks. He may like to think that tomatoes and rotten eggs have been pelted at Archbishop of Canterbury for decades and that it is merely the way things are for religious leaders. But that is not true. Pope John Paul II received praise for his wise and considered words about old age. Some Church of England bishops in the past were so popular that congregations would walk across cities to hear their sermons. I am afraid that few are going even to cross the road to hear Dr Rowan warbling on about capitalism.

The above is part of the original draft of an article for the Daily Express.