Gifts for Churches Act 1803

And whereas it often happens that small plots of land held in mortmain lie convenient to be annexed to some such church or chapel, or house of residence as aforesaid, or to some churchyard or curtilage thereto belonging or convenient to be employed as the scite of some such church or chapel or house to be hereafter erected, and for the necessary and commodious use and enjoyment thereof, and that they might be so employed to the advantage of the publick, and without detriment to the proprietors thereof, if they were enabled to give and grant the same for the purposes aforesaid: It shall be lawful for every body politick or corporate, sole or aggregate, by deed inrolled as aforesaid, with or without confirmation, as the law may require, to give and grant, either by way of exchange or benefaction, any such small plot of land, not exceeding one acre, to any person or persons, body politick or corporate, his and their heirs and successors respectively, to be held, used, and applied for the purposes aforesaid; . . . F2

Provided also that in every parochial church or chapel hereafter to be errected ample provision shall be made for the decent and suitable accommodation of all persons, of what rank or degree soever, who may be entitled to resort to the same, and whose circumstances may render them unable to pay for such accommodations.

Provided also, that nothing in this Act contained shall be construed to take away or abridge any right of giving or devising which already exists in any person whatsoever.