Extract from The Times Saturday 18 June 1870
The restoration of St Mary’s Church, Almeley
The Re-opening Services
We have the pleasure this week of adding to the long list of restored churches in this diocese the beautiful church of St Mary, at Almeley, which, during the last 18 months, has been undergoing a thorough restoration. Other old and dilapidated churches in the county are now being renovated, and will have to be put on this long and glorious list, a list which represents an amount of Christian labour and benevolence which cannot easily be estimated; and it is to be hoped that before long the “top stone” will be placed with a shout upon the great church restoration movement. This however, cannot be so long as there is one parish in this diocese in which the church edifice lies in a ruinous state, and is not comely and beautiful.
St Mary’s Church is one of the handsomest in the county, and we congratulate the parish upon the satisfactory condition in which it has been placed. A parishioner returning after a long absence would see with surprise the altered aspect of his parish church, and its beautiful appearance would fill him with pleasure. That there was need for the work to be done was only too evident. It is true that some portions of the edifice seemed in a tolerable condition, but upon a closer inspection of the fabric this proved to be more apparent than real.
The church consists of nave, north and south aisles, chancel, vestry, tower at the west end, and porch on the south side. The style of architecture throughout is the Decorated, second period, and in several parts of the church there is some very fine work. The north and south aisles are divided from the nave by arcades on four pointed arches, carried on octagonal pillars, and the nave and chancel are divided by a large and well-proportioned arch. Before the restoration commenced the woodwork in the chancel came below the top of this arch, and completely robbed it of its beautiful original appearance. The chancel, however, has been raised some three or four feet, and now the arch stands out in its beauty without any such disfigurement. In the east wall of the north aisle there is a staircase leading to what was a rood screen loft, but before the work of renovation began no screen was visible at the entrance to the chancel. When, however, the old “box” pews were removed some portions of the old screen were found, and these were valuable, because they enabled the architects to reproduce in the new screen the beautiful design of the old one. The new screen is in oak, and the work connected with it, especially the carving, has been very admirably executed by Mr Holland, builder of Eardisland. The pews in the body of the church and in the chancel are in oak, and these, together with communion table (which is on a marble base) and the pulpit have been simply but handsomely made. In the panels of the pews some of the old oak has been used. The oak panels in the front pews are covered with very fine old carving, several of the figures being those of dragons and other creatures of that mild and amiable family. On the panels in the pews which abut on the cross aisle Mr Holland has put some very good new drapery carving. Before the restoration a large portion of the walls on the interior was covered with plaster. This has been removed, and the walls, pillars, etc have been cleaned down and repointed. This gives a decidedly improved appearance to the interior.
The old oak roof of the chancel has been cleaned and opened out, and plastered and coloured between. New quarters were put diagonally on the back of the old oak principals, and new lathing and tiles have been put on. The roof in the nave has also been cleaned and stripped, and retiled, and new timber has been put in the roofs, in the north and south aisles, with the exception of some of the panels, for which some of the good oak in the old pews was used, after a new dress had been given to it. The walls in the clerestory, and the west wall (in which there is an entrance to the tower) are plastered to the lines of the arches and the windows. On either side of the clerestory there are three two-light windows. In the east end of the chancel there is a magnificent four-light stained-glass window. The tracery is filled with stained glass with figureheads of angels, etc. The four lights are filled in with figures of St Boniface, St Cuthbert, St Thomas of Hereford, St Augustine, St Maria, St Anna, St Gabriel, and St Maria and child. There are four grounds in imitation of pavement, and perpendicular pillars, all in ornamental painting in the old style. The colouring is exceedingly rich. The window has been put in by Messrs Burlison and Gryffe of Oxford. In the south aisle there is a fine four-light old window, in the tracery of which there is stained glass on which are represented the emblems of the crucifixion. In the north aisle, opposite to it there is a similar window with stained glass in the tracery representing different coats of arms. In the tracery in the windows in the east walls of the south and north aisles there are stained glass representations of the Virgin Mary and child, and of the Crucifixion, the last being a splendid piece of work. The new font stands in the cross aisle.
The floor of the church has been lowered. The flooring in the body of the church is paved with flagstone, but the flooring of the chancel is laid with encaustic tiles from Mr Godwin’s manufactory at Lugwardine, and the steps near the communion table are laid with marble. The altar is covered with a very rich altar-cloth and a very elaborately and beautifully worked cloth in crimson and gold and other colours is placed on either side of the magnificent east window, and behind the holy table instead of a reredos. The other furniture of the altar is ……… and the appearance of the tout ensemble is very striking, the effect being greatly heightened by the shady light which is shed through the rich colours in the window. The vestry is entered by a small door in the north side of the chancel, and on the same side stands a small organ. The interior of the church, now that it has been so carefully restored, presents a very fine appearance, and must be seen to be appreciated. On the exterior a good deal of work has been done. The stone of the walls had so perished that it was difficult to get a fair specimen, so that new stone of a similar character might be provided. A good deal of new stone has, therefore, been used on the outside, the buttresses, coping, and other ornamental stone work being entirely new.
The porch was taken down and rebuilt, and it now forms a very fitting entrance to a very beautiful church. There is also an entrance to the edifice on the north side. Nothing apparently has been done to the exterior of the tower. It stands with its marks of Time upon it, but it looks very sturdy, and as if resolved quietly to maintain its ground for a century or two come rough or smooth. It contains some bells, and on Thursday they were rung by some humble but enthusiastic churchmen, who seemed to think that what they were doing was no insignificant part of the day’s proceedings. The restoration has in its entirety been carried out very carefully and in a most happy spirit.
The character of the building has been preserved, disfigurements have been removed, and it is now a comely and beautiful temple of which the Vicar, the parishioners and the diocese, may be proud. The architects were Messrs Bodely and Garner, of London, and the builder, Mr T Holland, of Eardisland, who has executed the work entrusted to him in a very admirable and workmanlike manner.
The opening services were held on Thursday, a day which will long be remembered at Almeley. The day was very fine, and in addition to the parishioners, who on this day turned out en masse, there was a large number of visitors from the country round, and thus this usually quiet rural place presented quite a lively appearance.
The Morning Service commenced at half past 11. The sacred edifice was crowded in every part, and many were unable to obtain seats. The following were the musical arrangements:- Processional hymn 164 (Hymns Ancient and Modern); Venite, Tallis; Te Deum, chant services, Hamilton Clarke; Benedictus, Ouseley; Psalms, Turle and Ouseley; Anthem, “Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem”; hymns 320 (tune, Aurelia), 306 (tune, Harewood); and responses to the Commandments, Nares. The choir were assisted by Mr and Mrs Charlesworth, and the choral part of the services was rendered very admirably, particularly the anthem. The singing gave evidence of good training and diligent practice. We wish we could say the same of all village choirs. Mr Charlesworth ably presided at the organ at this and the evening service. The first lesson was read by the Rev H W Phillott and the second by the Vicar, the Rev W P A Campbell. The prayers were intoned by the Rev Sir F Gore Ouseley, Bart. Part of the Communion was intoned by the Bishop of Hereford. The epistle was read by the Rev H W Phillott, and the gospel by the Bishop of Worcester.
The sermon was preached by the Lord Bishop of Hereford, who took for his text Psalm v. 7 – “But as for me, I will come into Thy house in the multitude of Thy mercy; and in Thy fear will I worship toward Thy holy temple.” In the course of his remarks his lordship observed that having that day, by the great goodness of God been restored to their parish church, and such a church – a church now in all its parts made in some degree less unworthy of the majesty of Him who dwelt within it – surely they felt in the words of the text that henceforth they would press forward to it, they would duly throng that hallowed place, they would come there to worship God, in the multitude of His mercy and in fear would they seek Him in His holy temple. Let him then, before they parted, say one word only in conclusion by way of stamping as well as he could upon the hearts of each individual there what it was he had put before them. He wanted, as strongly as he knew how, to impress upon them not only the privilege, but the duty, connected with public worship. Whether public worship were regarded objectively as an act of homage to the great king of Heaven, and to him as the Supreme Governor of the earth, he could not think of a greater honour than to be allowed to tread His courts, and to present himself before Him. The faithful subject rejoiced above all things in the court of his sovereign. “Happy are thy servants, O Lord, who stand continually before thee.” Or if they regarded it subjectively, viz, with respect to themselves and the benefits to be secured by a regular attendance at public worship. If they looked at it as a means of refreshing to the worn and weary soul, the result was the same. It was appointed for them by the mercy of a loving father, who knew all their necessities, that they should in this manner obtain what was needful for their souls’ welfare. After some further remarks his lordship said he hoped they would steadily bear in mind the service of that day, and with a firm resolution make the words of his text their own, and say that whenever an opportunity offered they would come into His house in the multitude of His mercy, and that in his fear would they worship towards His holy temple. It only remained that he should tell them that the alms which would be collected while the offertory sentences were being read, would be presented as a holy offering to Almighty God upon his own holy table. He could not look at the noble work which had been done without saying that his sympathies were with those who, in that part of the diocese, had given their best to it. All honour to those who had done so. His sympathies were always with those who when they engaged in any good work did it with all their heart as unto the Lord, and gave to God of their best. It was because it seemed to him that the work which had been done, in that place had been carried out upon that principle that he commended it to their liberal support that day. But let them remember that whatever they gave it would not be given, it would be a loan; it would be lent unto the Lord, who would abundantly repay whatever His servants devoted to His service.
The collection was then made, the offerings being gathered by the Rev F F Reaveley, Rev C S Palmer (Eardisley), Rev T Morgan (Brilley) and Rev C K M Green (Lyonshall). The offertory amounted to £102 13s 6d.
THE AFTERNOON SERVICE
Commenced at 3.30 and was even more numerously attended than the previous service. The musical arrangements were as follows:- Processional hymn 242, tune Dedication; Magnificat, Elvey: Nunc Dimitis, Hayes; psalms, chants, one by Russell and one by Kinkee; anthem, “I was glad”, Elvey; Hymns 196 (tune Unser Herscher), and 243 (tune Oriel). The anthem went remarkably well. The first lesson was read by the Rev H W Phillott and the second by the Vicar. The prayers were intoned by the Rev Sir F Gore Ouseley, Bart. An able sermon was preached by the Lord Bishop of Worcester, who took for his text Genesis xxviii 17 – “How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of Heaven.” The offertory amounted to £35 8s 8d.
Amongst the clergy and others who were present during the day were the following: – The Lord Bishop of Hereford and Mrs Atlay; the Lord Bishop of Worcester and Mrs Phillpotts; Rev Sir F G Ouseley, Bart, Mus Doc; Rev W P A Campbell, Mrs Campbell and Miss Campbell; Rev H Dew and the Misses Dew, Whitney; Rev C E M Green, Lyonshall; Rev W H and Mrs Lambert, Stoke Edith; Rev C S Palmer, Eardisley; Rev Dr Heather, Dilwyn; Rev W C and Mrs Fowle; Rev J J G Graham, Much Cowarne; Rev T K Thomas and the Misses Thomas, Winforton; Rev B S Dawson, curate of Yazor; Rev Thomas Morgan, Brilley; Rev W E Sollon, Kentchurch; Rev Mr Barker Eardisland; Rev G Clay, curate of Kington; Rev J Dudley, Sarnesfield; Rev T T and Mrs Reaveley; Rev W H Baldwin; Rev H W and Mrs Phillott; Rev C J and Mrs Robinson, Norton Canon; Rev C H and Mrs Pilkington, Letton; Rev E Du Buisson, Breinton; Captain Cazalet; Mr T T Reaveley, Kinnersley Castle; Mr and Mrs Bodenham, Kington; Mr S and Mrs Robinson, The Moor; Mr A Temple and Miss Margaret Temple, Kington; Mr, Mrs and Miss M’Murdo, etc etc. Amongst the subscribers are the following:- The Bishop of Hereford £10; the Ven Archdeacon Lord Saye and Sele £10; J Gibson Watt Esq., £500; The Ecclesiastical Commissioners £400; Miss Campbell £50 (subscribed for stained glass window); Diocesan Society, £50; Miss Lea £40 (subscribed for stained glass window); Incorporated Church Building Society £30; Rev W P A Campbell, £25; H Williams Esq, £20; The entire cost of the restoration, including the stained glass window, amounts to £1,800, and we believe there is still a deficiency of £300. Additional accommodation has been obtained for 46 persons, and the entire area will accommodate 336 persons.