St Mary's Church, Knightwick - Post Card

A wonderful old colour photograph/card (Many thanks to Major [Retd] Janet Brodie-Murphy) showing Knightwick Church, from a newly planted Bridge Orchard.
The old black and white Church Cottage is on the right and the Talbot Hotel middle of photo and then in the distance is the Turnpike House.

This particular card's definition and colouring is exceptional.

Berrow's Worcester Journal - Saturday, 2nd June, 1855.

CONSECRATION OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH, KNIGHTWICK.

The solemn ceremony of consecrating to the worship of Almighty God the new church erected in this parish to supersede the ancient structure, which has become greatly dilapidated, was performed this day (Friday) by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of the Diocese.

The site chosen for the new structure is at the base of Ankerdine Hill, a most charming spot, and well adapted for the purpose in every respect. It is within a short distance of Knightsford Bridge. The land for its erection was kindly given by J. Freeman, Esq., of Gaines, and amongst the parties who have principally contributed, arc F. E. Williams, Esq., Sir J. S. Pakington, Messrs. J. S. Walker, E. Southall (Churchwardens), and T. Walker, besides other residents in the parish of Knightwick and chapelry of Doddenham. The designs for the sacred edifice were furnished by Mr. Perkins, architect, of Worcester, to whose taste they are highly creditable. The church consists of a nave, chancel, porch, and western bell-turret, containing two bells, the style of architecture being the decorative Gothic. Its dimensions are seventy feet in length from east to west; width about twenty-one feet. It is built of Ankerdine Hill wall-stone, with facings of Bromyard Down and Broxhill stone, for dressings and window tracery. It will accommodate about 200 persons, the seats being nearly all free. They are all open, and in the chancel are stalls, having carved poppy headed finials. The pulpit and reading desk are of carved oak. The total amount of contract is about £900. The building has been raised almost entirely by voluntary subscriptions, aided by grants from the Diocesan and Incorporated Church Building Societies. There will be no burial ground attached, as the old church yard will be used for interments as before. We may mention that the contractors for the different portions of the work are - masonry, Mr. John Norman; carpentry and ornamental work, Mr. W. Shellswell; plumbing, Mr. T. Chambers. The ornamental ironwork of the doors and hinges, &c., has been artistically executed by Mr. Crump, blacksmith. All the parties are residents in Worcester.

Half-past eleven o'clock was the time named for the commencement of the ceremony, and at that time the Lord Bishop arrived, and having attired himself in full canonicals in the vestry proceeded to the church door, accompanied by the Rev. R. Sarjeant, and preceded by his mace-bearer, Mr. Charles Clarke, of Malvern. Having arrived at the church porch his Lordship was there met by the Very Rev. the Dean of Worcester, Rev. 0 Fox, Rector of Knightwick, and other Clergymen from the surrounding parishes, attired in black gowns. A petition having been presented to his Lordship, praying him to consecrate the church, it was read by the Registrar, J. H. Clifton, Esq. The Bishop having signified his assent the procession moved up the aisle at a slow pace to the Communion table, his Lordship, the Clergy, and congregation, alternately repeating the Psalm appointed for the occasion, the 24th, commencing " The earth is the Lord's," &c.

The Bishop having taken his seat near the Communion the deed of conveyance was handed to him, which having been laid on the table, he read the exhortation, and offered up the appointed prayers, the responses to which were solemnly rendered by the congregation. The sentence of consecration having been read by the acting Chancellor, the Rev. R. Sarjeant, the Lord Bishop attached his name to the petition, after which

The Rev. 0. Fox, the Rector, proceeded with the Morning Service of the Church. The Psalms read on the occasion were the 84th, 122nd, and 132nd. The first lesson was read by the Rev. J. Wilding, of St. Helen's, Worcester, from the 1st Kings, 8 chap., 22nd to 62nd verse. The second from Heb., 10th chap., 19th to 25th verse. The Litany and the rest of the service was impressively read by the Rev. T. L. Wheeler, Hon. Canon of Worcester Cathedral. Four verses of the 84th Psalm were then sang in a pleasing style by the congregation. The reading of the Communion Service was commenced by the Lord Bishop. The Epistle was read by the Rev. R. Sarjeant, and the Gospel and the Nicene Creed by his Lordship. The 100th Psalm was then effectively sung, after which

The Very Rev. the Dean of Worcester, Dr. Peel, ascended the pulpit, and preached a most eloquent and appropriate sermon, taking his text from the 25th chap. of Matthew, part of the 35th verse,—" For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat." In the course of his sermon the Dean pointed out how good a thing it was for their minds to be filled with the great virtue of charity, as indicated by the words of his text, which emanated from Christ himself, and how desirable it was to help those who were afflicted in mind, body, or state. All knew full well that it was necessary to practice benevolence, but although it was one of those good things which ought to be acted upon, still it would not ensure of itself the enjoyment of a participation in the kingdom of Heaven, there being other most essential duties to be performed. The stress laid by our Saviour upon acts of kindness, was this :- "Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me." The preacher referred to our Saviour as having made his spiritual and temporal mercies one a channel for the other, and referred to the advice held out to the Apostles, "freely ye have received, freely give." With regard to the erection of the present sacred edifice, the preacher said that all the hearts of those who had contributed their quota in carrying out the undertaking must throb with gratitude to see the result of their labours, for there the ignorant would be instructed, the poor advised, youths taught the way they should go, and the aged directed to that path which would lead them to a better world. The preacher concluded by exhorting all, especially the rich, to give liberally from their abundance towards so holy an object. The sermon was listened to with the greatest attention.

The Churchwardens then proceeded to collect from the congregation, the result of which was the handsome sum of £64. 5s. 11d.

The Church, notwithstanding the unfavourable weather, was crowded, and amongst those present besides the officiating ministers, were the Revs. J. Pearson, H. J. Hastings, Newcombe, Dr. Bartlett, Brown, H. S. Cocks, E. W. Ingram. J. Palmer, W. Thursby, Childe, Melville, G. Sandbatch; Mrs. Peel and party, Mr. G. J. A. Walker, Whittington; Mr. T. Walker and party, Lulsley Court; Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Coucher, St. John's, Worcester ; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Southall, Ankerdine Farm; Mr. W. Southall, White House, Lulsley; Mr. Moore and family, Ham Castle; Mr. and Miss Southall, of Birmingham; Mr. Hyla Holden, Worcester ; Mr. R. Allies and party; Mrs. Fox, Mrs. Newcombe, Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, The Berrow; Mr. MacDougall, Mr. Baxter, &c., &c.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Southall generously entertained 60 of the school children belonging to Doddenham parish to a dinner and tea in remembrance of the occasion. A large private party also assembled, and although everything outside was cheerless enough, every one who got within met a smile and a welcome, the merry dance concluding the evening's enjoyment. Mr. Walker, of Lulsley Court, also entertained a large party of friends, and the day will long be remembered at Knighton and Doddenham.

The altar covering, which is composed of crimson cloth, with the sacred monogram I.H.S. in the centre, together with two handsome mats, were kindly presented by Mrs. Fox.

 

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