Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

the church on three or four different Sundays, taking whatever seat the pew-opener pleased. We were placed in the south aisle, and

[graphic][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]

could see the preacher, but neither see nor hear anything that went on at the reading-desk or the altar: on the north side of the chancel, and we could not hear a word of the sermon or catch a glimpse of the preacher except as he walked to the pulpit: in an odd nook near the vestry door, where-on one hand the east wall, in front a pier of prodigious width-we could neither see the clergyman in readingdesk, pulpit, nor at the communion-table, nor hear from either place anything more than a strange confusion of words, of which now and

then a disconnected one was comprehensible. Very likely we were unfortunate in our "placing;" but it is the sort of "church accommodation" which too many a chance visitor finds, we fear, in modern mediæval churches. And it seems to us that it really deserves the serious consideration of those who are erecting churches in crowded localities, whether it is not giving up too much to mediavalism when its best structures are so far from completely answering what we must consider their primary purpose. This church, for instance, proposes to "accommodate" 1,240 persons: we seriously question whether it will really "accommodate," in the sense of enabling them both to hear and see, more than a thousand. At the Surrey Hall a congregation of 10,000 persons has been collected every Sunday morning for a considerable period, and, as any one may satisfy himself who will go, the whole of them can see and hear too. We are not, be it remarked, advocating a change of style. We believe that of any yet known the Gothic is by far the most suitable for ecclesiastical purposes; but we again urge the reconsideration of the mediæval form, which certainly was not, any more than the internal arrangements, contrived by its inventors for the purpose to which it is now applied. Neither do we advocate churches of huge dimensions; but we do ask that the building should correspond to its profession: whether built for 500 or 5,000 it should provide profitable room for them, What we want to see, in short, is not the unreasoning following of the old examples," but that "original development" of them, which shall produce a structure grandly simple and solemn in character, like the service for the celebration of which it is erected, and where, instead of nooks and corners, and huge sight and soundobstructing pillars, raised, as though in mockery of the "reality" on which medievalists so pertinaciously insist, merely to support a light timber roof, all shall be fair and open, and where the results of the highest researches in the sciences of construction and acoustics shall be combined with our noblest attainments in architectural art.

Of other churches completed during the year in London and the vicinity we may mention the more important: St. Stephen's, Westbourne Park, is another example of late decorated having no internal advantages over that just mentioned, and of which the tower and spire have to be added to complete its exterior; St. Paul's, Lorrimore-square, Walworth, by Mr. H. Jarvis-a pleasing example of Early English with some transition details-has a nave and aisles, and a tolerably deep chancel, and, as its chief exterior feature, a tower and spire of good form at the north-east angle, 122 feet high. On the south side of Westminster-road an Early Decorated church, by Mr. W. Rogers, of large size (105 feet by 71 inside), and substantial character is approaching completion: it has nave, aisles, and an apsidial chancel, and will seat 1,218 persons: the cost is estimated at under 8,000l. St. Thomas, on the north side of the Westminster-road, by Mr. Teulon, displays some novelty in the combination of coloured bricks with stone dressings; a parsonage house is connected with it: the entire cost has been about 5,500l. St. Philip the Evangelist, Arlington-square, Islington, may also claim

notice as differing from the ordinary range of London Gothic, it being a massive example of the Norman style, with a heavy square tower and short broach spire: the architect is Mr. Gough. All Saints', Haggerstone, by Mr. P. C. Hardwick, is of Early Decorated character, consisting of a nave, aisles, short transepts, and chancel, and will seat 950 persons: it is built of Kentish rag, with Bath stone dressings, and is richly fitted up internally; a parsonage-house is built in connection with it. Other churches recently or nearly completed are St. Peter's, Notting-hill; All Saints', Blackheath, by Mr. Ferrey; St. Paul, Bow-common; St. Andrew, near Croydon, all in the prevalent Decorated style; one at Old Ford, Bow, of early perpendicular character, by Mr. J. Nichols; and several more have been commenced, among others one of a superior character on Richmond-hill, by Mr. Scott. The old brick chapel of Harrow school has been replaced by a very elegant new one of flint, with stone dressings, having a lofty apsidial chancel, the five lights of which are filled with stained glass, and a south aisle erected as a memorial to Harrow officers, 22 in number, who fell in the Crimean war: it is one of Mr. Scott's chastest works. Temporary iron churches have been erected chiefly in poor and crowded neighbourhoods, at St. George's-in-the-East; Kentish Town; Holloway; Kennington; Newington Butts; and Lambeth, and perhaps elsewhere: they are described as being comfortable and well ventilated, and in all respects answering their purpose.

In the country, church building has been carried on with unabated vigour. St. Thomas, Newport, Isle of Wight-of which the first stone was laid with great ceremony in presence of Prince Albert, in August 1854—was opened in the present year. It is Early Decorated in character, and consists of a nave and aisles, a north and a south chapel, and an apsidial chancel, and has at the western end a tower 100 feet high, with a turret and crocketed spire 30 feet high; the architect was Mr. S. W. Daukes, and the cost 10,7007.: it has sittings for 1,460 persons. At the east end of the north aisle the Queen has erected a monument (by Marochetti) in memory of Elizabeth, daughter of Charles I., who died while in confinement at Carisbrooke Castle, and was interred here. At Wells, Somersetshire, a handsome church has been erected as a memorial of Dean Jenkins of Wells, by his widow: it is in the Decorated style, is 78 feet long, with an apse of five windows; has a tower and spire at the south-east angle, 130 feet; will seat 400 persons, and cost 6,0007.: the architect was Mr. S. S. Teulon. At Baschurch, Shropshire, Mrs. Barrett has built an elegant little church and parsonage-house at a cost of 5,0007., and provided a sinking-fund for repairs, and an endowment for the incumbent of 2007. a year. At West Newton, Bromfield, near Carlisle, a church (Early English) has been erected at the expense of Mr. Todd, who has also largely contributed to the endowment fund. At Dorking a new church (Early Decorated, by Mr. Ferrey) has been erected at the expense of Mr. John Labouchere, on a site presented by Mr. H. T. Hope: it will seat nearly 500 persons, and has cost 2,7007. At Low Moor, near Bradford, Yorkshire, a church in the Early Decorated style has been erected

at the cost of Messrs. Hardy. At Baldersby, near Ripon, Yorkshire, a church, erected and endowed at the cost of the late Lord Downe, has been completed: it is Early Decorated in style; the architect Mr. Butterfield: it will seat 500 persons. The church of

St. Helen's, Escrick, near York (Decorated), has been rebuilt in a very superior manner. St. Andrew's, Watford, by Mr. Teulon, is a neat Early English building, affording accommodation for 450 persons. At Woolland, Dorsetshire, a very handsome church has been erected from the designs of Mr. Scott, who has very effectively introduced piers of Purbeck and Dorsetshire fossil marble in the chancel arch and chancel groining. At Ilfracombe the church of St. Philip and St. James has been completed. The style is Early Decorated, the architect Mr. J. Hayward of Exeter: it has cost 6,0007., and has 700 sittings. At Hulme, Manchester, a church by Mr. Shellard of Manchester, Decorated style, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is in progress, of which the chief feature is a spire 192 feet high. We can only mention that other churches have been completed at Broughton-cum-Filkins, in the Early Decorated style by Mr. G. E. Street; at Wheatley, near Oxford, Early English, also by Mr. Street; at East Grinstead, Wilts, by Mr. F. H. Pownall; at Waresley, Decorated, by Mr. Butterfield; at Wrightington, near Chorley, Norman; at Stapleton (on the site of the old church, the tower of which is preserved), Decorated, by Mr. Norton; at Brackenfield, Early Decorated, by Mr. Hine of Nottingham; at Boldmere, near Sutton Coldfield, Early Decorated, by Mr. Wadmere; at Westnewton, Broomfield, Cumberland, Early English, by Mr. Hugall of Cheltenham; at Fulletby, Early English, by Messrs. Maugham and Taylor of Louth; at France-Lynch, Bisley Common, by Mr. G. F. Bodley of Brighton; at Greenhithe, by Mr. Vulliamy; at Caundle Marsh, Dorsetshire, by Mr. Shout; at Carlcoats, Yorkshire; and at Winchester. In Wales, churches have been completed at Llandinorwig, near Bangor, in the Decorated style, carried out with great richness and care by Mr. Kennedy of Bangor, at an expense, with the parsonage, of 7,000l.: it will seat 600 persons; at Wrexham, one in the Decorated style by Mr. M. K. Penson, to seat 800 persons, and cost 6,000l.; at Tranmere, Early Decorated, by Messrs. Hay of Liverpool; at Velin Vole, a cruciform church by Mr. R. K. Penson of Swansea; and at Merthyr Tydfil, Decorated, by Mr. Benest of Norwich. The rebuilding of Doncaster church is proceeding steadily under the direction of Mr. Scott, who has also commenced another new church at Doncaster, and is carrying forwards others in Hawick, Huddersfield, and elsewhere.

Restoration is being prosecuted zealously-sometimes, indeed, with more zeal than prudence-in our cathedrals and colleges, and among our fine old parish churches. At Worcester Cathedral restorations have been carried on upon a most extensive scale, and, it is said, with great judgment and good effect. At Ely, the restorations are steadily proceeding under the untiring superintendence of Dean Peacock, aided by the professional knowledge of Mr. Scott: the last part completed is the choir, in which a new east window of stained glass, by Wailes of Newcastle, has been placed. At Chichester

Cathedral, works are in progress under Mr. Slater. At Peterborough, under Mr. Scott. At Oxford, under Mr. Billing. At Carlisle, under Mr. Christian. At Hereford, where, during the last fifteen years 34,0007. have been expended; and about 13,000l. more will, according to Mr. Scott, who is superintending the works, be required for their completion. At Manchester, under Mr. Holden, who has completed the exterior, and is now engaged on the interior; a richly-carved screen of Caen stone, and a bishop's throne of very large size and costly structure, are among the new features. At Norwich the tower is being carefully restored. At Chester the Lady Chapel is being restored under the direction of Mr. Hussey. At Llandaff the works which have been many years in progress under Messrs. Prichard and Seddon, and which, when completed, will restore what was perhaps the most barbarously defaced cathedral in the kingdom into one of the most perfect, are sufficiently advanced to permit of divine worship being again duly performed; thus far the works have cost about 9,0007.: their ultimate cost is estimated at about 25,000l. Wimborne Minster is among the old churches which have been most extensively restored.

At Oxford, restoration and re-building are proceeding co-extensively. Among the more important works are the chapel of Balliol College by Mr. Butterfield, and the library and rector's lodgings at Exeter College by Mr. Scott, and the famous tower and spire of St. Mary's Church. The chancel of the sister University church (Great St. Mary's, Cambridge) has also undergone renovation. The hall of Eton College has been restored, nearly rebuilt, in fact, so as to harmonize with the fine old chapel.

Of parish churches, the noble tower of St. Magdalen, Taunton, is being restored, under the skilful superintendence of Mr. Scott, at a cost of 6,000l. The tower and spire of St. Martin's, Birmingham, have been thoroughly repaired. At Coventry, the famous neighbourchurches of St. Michael and St. Trinity have both been restored, with the exception of the splendid spire of the former, which is in a very dilapidated condition, but for the repair of which there are at present not sufficient available funds. St. Ann's, Limehouse, has, under the care of Mr. Blomfield, been entirely repaired, and now presents internally a far more perfect and satisfactory appearance than before its conflagration. In the city, St. Mary Woolnoth has been repaired, and a new porch has been added to St. Michael's, Cornhill. The former has been conducted rather as a builder and painter's than an architectural work; the latter has some noteworthy features. St. Michael's Church is one of those erected by Wren, but the tower was taken down and rebuilt towards the close of the life of that great architect: whether under his own direction or not is not quite clear. The body of the church has Wren's usual characteristics; in the tower there was made an imperfect imitation of some of the Gothic features of the older church. To this church, unmistakeably of the latter part of the seventeenth century in its aspect, Mr. Scott has attached a porch more elaborately medieval in character than any other in London. The porch itself, with its polished granite shafts, its richly-carved capitals, medallions, &c., is,

« ElőzőTovább »