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Fellowes Prynne had considerable dealings with this church, although it is
not clear whether all the work cited below was actually done. It is known that
some has since been removed.
In a report dated 30 November 1896, Fellowes Prynne made suggestions
regarding three pieces of work:
1st The opening up of the West End by removal of the inconveniently placed
and unsightly platforms…and refixing Font in a more suitable and convenient
position…
2nd As to the best method of re-lighting
3rd As to possible enlargement of Vestries
Fellowes Prynne had at this stage already sent his plan for the first job to
the vicar. It included a new base step to the font, and marble paving in the
newly formed baptistery, and the cost would be about £70. As regards the second
item, he expounded at length on the merits of pendants from the roof:
It must not be thought for one moment that I propose large Coronae in the
centre of the nave. What I suggest is a double row of pendants in the Nave and a
single row in the Aisles, with very small Coronae, with about seven fairly
powerful burners to each Corona… I should approximately estimate the cost at
about £180 complete.
As for item 3 on his list, Fellowes Prynne reckoned £300 would allow him to
do a …very acceptable addition to the Vestry.
He concludes his report:
The possibilities of rendering your fine Parish Church more beautiful by
decoration and otherwise are very great, but the most important and practical
part of the work is included in the items particularly noted on this report.
It seems that the parish agreed with Fellowes Prynne over the possibilities
of beautifying the church, as the Dart and Francis records show the following
sequence of correspondence:
- 16 Sep 1919 - estimate sent for oak reredos, 2 riddels and angels: £187
- 28 Jun 1920 - order to go ahead
- 30 Jun 1920 - design for riddels and wall panelling on the way
- 07 Jul 1920 - design of gradine returned
- 17 Jul 1920 - oak riddels, 2 angels, 2 panels for east wall: £135
- 03 Aug 1920 - letter re. the above, plus reredos
- 08 Nov 1920 - design for War Memorial
- 14 Feb 1921 - inscription on panelling
- 06 Dec 1922 - drawing returned of panelling and reredos
The Dart and Francis records are incomplete, but it is evident that the altar
and altar rails are also to Fellowes Prynne’s design, and were presumably in
situ prior to the planned reredos. It is not clear whether the reredos was ever
installed. The undated postcard (illustrated above) clearly shows a
number of features of Fellowes Prynne's work here, some of which can no longer
be seen. Note the carved altar with frontal showing through, the reredos and
riddels, complete with angels, the sanctuary panelling, the wooden altar rail,
the stalls and the prayer stall. The sanctuary was redesigned in 1952, and the
wood panelling presumably removed then.
The Lady chapel has a communion rail which is clearly to a design by Fellowes
Prynne, and it is possible that he did other work here. |
