but few attended. Russell was outraged. Independent Catholics met regularly for worship, in substantial numbers. Even Roman Catholics, although their meetings were technically illegal, assembled openly. For the Protestants, there seemed 'no other obstacle to this great duty of assembling for Public Worship, than what arose from criminal fear or indifference.' With du Vernet's encouragement, Russell approached the Prefect of the Department to request a church to assemble in at Caen. This was refused, but Russell was permitted to open the small church on his property at the Ardenne Abbey. Russell repaired, and refurnished the church, and, despite Stone's advice against it, the first service was held there early in October 1801. It was the first Protestant church to open anywhere in France, since the revolution. The church was soon overflowing, Russell reported, the congregation 'worshipping with an apparent fervor that roused emotions in my breast, which I cannot describe.' In 1802, a new Concordat with the Vatican had eased religious tensions, and by November 1803, the congregation was able to move to a larger, former Benedictine chapel in rue de Geôle at Caen. Russell contributed 120 livres a year for the remainder of his stay in France. Catholic priests frequently applied to him for support in relieving the sufferings of the afflicted and distressed. To these applications he always lent a patient ear, displaying the most generous sympathy. 'I love all mankind,' he wrote, 'and I see no reason why diversity of opinion should alienate one man from another.' His help to the poor was regular and extensive, particularly during the winter bread shortages, and earned him the accolade le père des pauvres''. His generosity to the people of Normandy continued even after his return to England. On 15 May 1807 he was accorded French citizenship, swearing the oath of loyalty to the empire, a month later. Following Napoleon Bonaparte's internment on Elba, the political situation enabled Russell to return to his homeland at the end of 1814. He spent his remaining few years at his son-in-law's home near Upton-upon-Severn, writing devotional addresses and hymns, some of which were published after his death in 1818. He was buried next to his wife at St Philip's Church, Birmingham. References Further reading The British Library has a large number of Russell papers: Add MSS 44992-45022. Other manuscript sources include the William Russell papers in the possession of the Historical Society of