Tythe Church Tax

About Tythe Church Tax

Tithes were a tax of one tenth of agricultural produce paid to support the church. The tithe system was established in medieval Europe and persisted for centuries. In England, tithes were a legal obligation until the Tithe Commutation Act of 1836 converted them to cash payments. Tithe disputes were common, particularly between farmers and clergy. The tithe was a major source of tension in Ireland, where Catholic farmers paid tithes to support the Anglican Church of Ireland. The Tithe War of 1830 to 1838 in Ireland involved violent resistance to tithe collection. Tithes were commuted to rent charges in England in 1836 and finally abolished in 1936. Some religious traditions continue to practice voluntary tithing, but the mandatory church tithe is a thing of the past in most countries.