The Revd Charles Simeon (1759-1836), Fellow of King's College and Vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge, began to purchase advowsons in 1817 in order to secure an Evangelical ministry in perpetuity in important centres. Friends contributed money for the purpose and some were associated with Simeon as Trustees of the livings. In 1829 Simeon drew up a 'Solemn Charge' to his Trustees, setting out the principles on which they were to make appointments, which was printed in 1833. In January 1836 a deed was drawn up bringing all the advowsons into one trust, but the intention of creating a charitable trust was frustrated by Simeon's death on 13 November 1836. The Trust was incorporated as a company on 11 October 1960.