CHURCH DESIGN AND BUILD
The Church was built from designs by Preedy (well known Midland Church Architects) in what was known us "early Middle pointed" Gothic style, with a few foreign features such as square abaci with bold floriated capitals in the nave arcades. The Nave is of four bays with pillars and arches of grey and red sandstone alternately with Bath stone insertions for the larger windows. The shape of the pillars is round and octagonal alternately. The large square Font is of alabaster whilst the full size Altar has a marble slab top. The total cost (including endowment) was £7,500 and was intended to seat 550 people! The most significant alteration to the original structure was the construction of the Lady Chapel. A building fund towards this was set up as part of the Jubilee celebrations in 1912. Despite the difficulties arising from the outbreak of war, it was still possible for the work to be set in hand, and on March 5th 1916 the Archdeacon of Worcester dedicated the new Chapel to the glory of God and in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Wulstan. The three glass lights set in the main East window are to the memory of Jane Lavender "who founded this church and died while it was building". An original light depicting St. John the Baptist was relocated to the Lady Chapel upon its construction. The Chapel also incorporates windows dedicated to the memory of members of the Stallard family who fell during the Great War.
WINDOWS North Aisle - in memoriam Henrietta Fontice - The Good Shepherd South Aisle - in memoriam Josiah Stallard - The Good Samaritan East Window - The Life of Christ & His Crucifixion (see picture on right) CHANCEL East - in memoriam Jane Lavender - Sacrifice of our Lord North - in memoriam Jane Lavender - St. Wulstan South - in memoriam WH Ricketts and Harriet Ricketts West - Life and Death of St. Stephen
LADY CHAPEL The Lady Chapel is a place for quiet prayer and reflection. It celebrated The Annunciation, St. Michael and St John The Baptist. The carved wooden entrance arch from the main church to the Lady Chapel is a point of interest. Note the right hand upright of the arch - look out for the 'secret' animal carved by the carpenter as a different way to finish the arch midway down the wall. Outside in the church yard, The War Memorial Calvary in the Churchyard was unveiled by Mrs HW Spreckley (whose three sons fell in the war and in whose memory a chalice and paten were given) and dedicated on Sunday October 5th, 1919. |