| Abbreviation | APCK |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1792 |
| Founders | William Watson (bookseller), Reverend Dr George O’Connor, Reverend Singleton Harpur |
| Founded at | Dublin |
| Type | Church of Ireland Christian media Christian charity Christian mission |
| Headquarters | Church Avenue, Rathmines, Ireland |
| Website | www |
TheAssociation for Promoting Christian Knowledge(APCK) is anIreland-based Christian charity founded in 1792 asThe Association for the Discountenancing of Vice (ADV). It has worked for over 200 years to increase awareness of the Christian faith in Ireland and across the world. It is linked to theChurch of Ireland but independent from it.[1]
TheAssociation for the Discountenancing of Vice and Promoting the Knowledge and Practice of Religion and Virtue, to Combat Infidelity and Immorality was founded in October 1792, at 7Capel Street,Dublin, by William Watson (bookseller), Reverend Dr George O’Connor, and Reverend Singleton Harpur.[2] It was founded as a publisher/distributor ofBibles andChristiantracts in Ireland. It was founded in response to theFrench Revolution of 1789, the distribution of the two parts ofThomas Paine's "Rights of Man", and the formation of theSociety of United Irishmen.[3]
Hannah More was invited to become an honorary member of the ADV in 1793 and in 1795 she invited the society to reprint herCheap Repository titles. The ADV published ten tracts, adapted to the Irish conditions in 1795, but thereafter these were published commercially by William Watson 'at the recommendation of the Association' which continued to assist in their distribution until the early 1830s.[4]
The Society was incorporated in 1801, later becoming the Association for Discountenancing Vice and Promoting the Knowledge and Practice of the Christian Religion, and during the early 19th century became involved with administering government funds supporting schools for poor children.[5] However, following the introduction of a standardized system of primary education in Ireland in the 1830s, the ADV lost its government grants and reverted to being an evangelical publisher. After 1832 the ADV continued to publishpsalm books, editions of theBook of Common Prayer, churchhymnals, and a scripture text book, from their book depository at 37Dawson Street in Dublin.The ADV also maintained a book store at 86Abbey Street Middle in Dublin which was burned down during theEaster Rising of 1916; they later received £952 in government compensation.[6]
During the 1920s the ADV changed its name to the Association for Promoting Christian Knowledge. The 1800 act of incorporation of the ADV was accidentally repealed by theStatute Law Revision Act 2007, but it was reinstated by theStatute Law Revision Act 2016.[7]
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