Part 6 (2/2)

We here give a list of the Church Plate, which is more than usually valuable.

1. Paten, silver, 15 oz. 2 dwt., given by Mrs. Hussey, 1718.

2. Paten lid, silver, 2 oz. 2 dwt., old, no date.

3. Paten, pewter, no date.

4. Chalice, silver gilt, 7 oz., old, no date.

5. Chalice, silver gilt, 13 oz. 4 dwt. In memoriam, J.H., 1879.

6. Chalice, silver gilt, 13 oz. 2 dwt. *

7. Flagon, silver, 59 oz., given by Susannah Lascells, 1741.

8. Flagon, silver, 58 oz. 2 dwt., given by Susannah Lascelles, widow, Christmas, 1743.

9. Alms basin, silver, 6 oz. 6 dwt., given by Thomas Hargreaves, Esq., 1735. T.M.H. on handle.

10. Alms Basin, silver, 7 oz. 6 dwt., given by Clement Madely, vicar, 1835.

11. Paten, silver gilt, 13 oz. In Memoriam, J.H. 1879.

12. Paten, silver. 4 oz. 2 dwt., no date.

13. Cruet with silver stopper, H.T.C. 1872.

Those marked with asterisk are used at Holy Trinity Church.

We cannot here omit our tribute to the energy, liberality, and taste of the various parties connected with the restoration of St. Mary's Church, begun in 1859, and happily completed in April, 1861. With a persevering vicar, in Prebendary W. H. Milner, undaunted by difficulties, to head the movement; a working committee, no less resolute, to support him (among whom figured foremost the late Dr. J. B. Boulton and Mr. F. Harwood); with an architect of cultivated taste and wide experience, in Mr. Ewan Christian; and with the able contractors, Messrs. Lee & Ashton, to carry out his designs; and with a body of subscribers, headed by the Lord of the Manor, J. Banks Stanhope, Esq., all doing their best; the work was bound to be a marked success, of which all might be proud. St Mary's now probably approaches nearer to its original conception (if it does not, indeed, surpa.s.s it) than it has ever done in recent times. Erected, as it first was, in an age marked by ”zeal” for church construction, even if sometimes ”without knowledge;” stimulated, perhaps in an unwholesome degree, by the prevalent superst.i.tion and mariolatry, we yet feel bound, considering the n.o.ble structures which those builders have transmitted to us, (as Prior the poet says) to be ”To their virtues very kind, and to their faults a little blind.” But, as to the restoration in the present instance, few, save the older ones among us, who remember the condition into which the fabric had lapsed, can realise the great changes which were effected, or the advantages secured to present wors.h.i.+ppers. The s.p.a.ce formerly wasted by a western vestibule, with its boarded part.i.tion, and baize-covered doors, leading into nave and aisles, reducing by several feet the length of sitting s.p.a.ce; the bas.e.m.e.nt of the tower shut off, and occupied only by the bell ringers, who are now removed to the chamber above; the chancel aisles unused for seats and partially blocked up; the high square pews, rising in tiers westwards, roomy enough for undisturbed slumber; above all, the heavy galleries, with pews, made by faculty private property; all these arrangements so curtailed the accommodation, that the congregation, at its best, could be little more than half what it has been in recent years; while the _tout ensemble_, not omitting the flat whitewashed ceiling, put up, it has been said, by a kind lady, because the vicar, sensitive to cold, felt the draughts through the fine wooden roof thus hidden above, had an effect the very opposite of stimulating devotion, bad alike for minister and people.

Under the restored condition, with sixty additional seats provided in the tower, the south chancel aisle also seated, and every available s.p.a.ce utilized, there is now ample accommodation for some 800 wors.h.i.+ppers, and on special occasions more than 1,200 have been seated (the late Mr. W.

Pacy counted about 1,250 pa.s.sing out at the evening service at the re-opening in April, 1861); while the services, and the surroundings, are alike calculated to inspire feelings of reverence, with hearty earnestness of wors.h.i.+p; this is the result mainly due to the ”decency and order” effected through the care and self-denying efforts of the restorers, for which all should be grateful.

We should here add that in the year 1892, it being found that decay had occurred in the walls and other parts of the church, about 150 was raised by subscription, and once more the fabric was put into a complete state of repair.

CHAPTER IV.

THE CHURCH OF HOLY TRINITY

Was built in the years 1847 and 1848, as a Chapel of Ease to St. Mary's Church, in the vicariate of the Rev. T. J. Clarke, at a cost of about 2,500; 500 having been bequeathed towards that purpose by his predecessor, Dr. Clement Madely, and the rest being raised by public subscriptions. The foundation stone was laid April 6, in the former year, by Sir Henry Dymoke, Bart., the Queen's Champion. The roof of the nave was reared Oct. 12, and the cross on the east end of the chancel erected Nov. 25, in the same year. The church and churchyard were consecrated by Dr. Kaye, Bishop of Lincoln, April 27, 1848; his Lords.h.i.+p preaching at the opening service in the morning, and Dr. Percy, Bishop of Carlisle (as Patron {57a} of the Benefice) in the afternoon. The architect was Mr. Stephen Lewin, of Boston (author of _Churches of the Division of Holland_, 1843, &c) Mr. Hind, of Sleaford, being the contractor for the work.

It was a condition of Dr. Madely's bequest that the church should be commenced within two years of his death, which occurred on Good Friday, March 21, 1845. This fortunately was just (but only just) effected {57b} in time to secure the bequest.

When the churchyard of Holy Trinity was consecrated that of St. Mary's was closed, with the exception of some private vaults; both these burial grounds being closed in 1888, when the public cemetery was opened; the church part of which was consecrated on Nov. 7th, in that year, by the Bishop of Lincoln, Dr. King.

The church is in the Early English style, consisting of nave, chancel, north and south aisles, north porch, high open belfry with one bell, and has sittings for 400 persons. The materials of the structure are white brick, with dressings of Ancaster stone. It was considerably improved in 1887, and, more recently, in 1895.

The windows in the north and south aisles are plain small lancets, in pairs; 5 pairs on the south side, and 4 pairs, with porch door, on the north. The north and south arcades have 5 bays, with narrow perpendicular arches, except the easternmost, on both sides, which are wider, with a view to future transepts; the octagonal columns of brick have nicely carved stone capitals. The clerestory windows above, 5 on each side, are alternately quatrefoils and inverted triangles. The roof is of a very high pitch, slated externally, and internally of deeply stained deal. The princ.i.p.als of the chancel roof are ornamented with deeply cut dog-tooth pattern. The choir is rather narrow, and without aisles. At the east end of the north aisle is the vestry, the doorway leading to it having a richly carved arch, supported by twin pilasters, with carved capitals; the porch doorway has also a richly carved arch, with dog-tooth moulding, and cl.u.s.ters of pillars below.

The east window in the chancel is of 3 lights, and is an enlarged copy of the beautiful Early English east window of Kirkstead Abbey Chapel; with triple columns between, and, on either side of the lights, having richly carved capitals; the wall s.p.a.ce above being also elaborately carved with floriated pattern. It was fitted with coloured gla.s.s, by an anonymous donor, in memory of the Rev. T. J. Clarke, in whose vicariate, as has been stated, the church was built. The subjects are, running across and in the centre, the Nativity, the Crucifixion, and Transfiguration; above being the Resurrection, and Christ sitting in glory; and in the lower row, our Lord as the Good Shepherd, the Man of sorrows and the Light of the world.

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