150 Years of St Peter's Church

As the 150th anniversary of the  consecration of St Peter's Church draws near, we take you back to the laying of the very first stoneLincolnshire Chronicle - 5 August 1864

On Tuesday last the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of St Peter’s Church, Cleethorpes, was inaugurated. The weather was all that could be wished, the day being pleasantly bright. The Venerable Archdeacon Kaye attended to take part in the religious ceremony, being the guest of the Rev W.P. Jones, the vicar. At 3 o’clock the clergy of the neighbourhood assembled in the schoolroom for the purpose of putting on their surplices and hoods. We observed present the Ven. Archdeacon Kaye, the Very Rev. the Dean of Stamford, the Revs W.P. Jones, vicar of Clee, T.C. Bradney, Greete Salop; Robt Ainslie, vicar of Great Grimsby; F. Hemmans, Tetney; Dr Freeth, Fotherby; R.P. Williams, Scartho; F. Wintour, Hawerby; J. Penny, Cuxwold; Geo. Robinson, Irby; Wallis Loft, Healing; A. Gedge, Ludborough; W. Smith, Stewton; Hon. G. Bourke, Wold Newton; Thos Massey, Hatcliffe; Dr Badcock, Little Carlton; F. Mann, Wynham; Robt. Rownson, Riby; John Holt, Keelby; W. Iggulden, East Hyde, Beds; T. Baxter; Chas. Hulbert, Grimsby; J. Drake, Riby; Norriss Cogswell, Holton-le-Clay; and J.S. Basnet, Waltham.

 From the schoolroom they proceeded to the site of the new church, where they were met by Alexander Grant Thorold, Esq, and W.H. Daubney, Esq. On the ground were Mrs Kaye, Mrs Mantell, Mrs Bradney, Sir Jas and Lady Stirling, Mrs Grant, Mrs Hinds, Mrs Wright, Louth Park, and Miss Wright; Mrs and Misses Downe; Misses Jones, Reepham; Misses Robinson, Irby; and Miss Attwood; in a word, most of the gentry of the neighbourhood attended with their families. The form of service was commenced by singing, after which the Very Rev., the Dean of Stamford read certain prayers, followed by the Ven. Archdeacon Kaye, who besought God’s blessing upon the work. The corner-stone was laid by Alexander Grant Thorold, Esq, of Weelsby House, with a silver trowel handed to him by Wm H. Daubney, Esq, who said:-

“Mr Grant Thorold, I have been deputed by the committee and subscribers to the building fund to ask your acceptance of a silver trowel with which to lay the foundation stone of this House of God; and in doing so, I feel that I am myself an illustration of the fact “that men are not always chosen to office because they are the fittest for it”. I was probably elected for this duty from my connections with Sidney College, and in the absence of Dr Phelps and the Fellows, who have considerable estates in this parish, and are liberal subscribers to this building. You, sir, were selected as the most proper person to lay the foundation-stone from your position, and the influence you have in the parish as a large resident proprietor, and as representing one – now no more -whose zeal and magnificence in this work were such, that without them I do not think it could have now gone on. And it was a source of congratulation to the committee that you so cordially consented to undertake the duty, as it must be to all present, that this, your first public act since you came to reside here, should be in so good a cause; and I am sure I am expressing the feeling of all present in wishing you and Mrs Thorold may live to a ripe old age, to contribute to the happiness and, by your example, elevate the character of those within your influence”.

Mr Grant Thorold replied as follows:

“I have much pleasure in taking part in this good work. It is the first time I have been present on such an occasion, and I do not know how efficiently I may do my duty. I feel that I have been selected to lay the first stone entirely on account of the interest my late uncle took in the matter, and that the complimentary observations which had been made use of are applicable alone to him. I sincerely hope that this church may be a means of great good in the parish”.

The corner stone was then lowered, and the mortar smoothed over with the trowel by Mr Thorold, who pronounced over it the name of the ever blessed Trinity and hammered it down to its bed. A bottle was then placed in a recess cut in the stone, containing a parchment document, first read by the vicar, upon which was inscribed that this stone was laid in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost by Alexander Grant Thorold, Esq, and that the church was dedicated to the apostle Peter. It also contained the names of the Rev. William Price Jones, M.A., vicar of Clee; James Fowler, architect, Louth; James Ryall, Louth contractor; James Atkinson and Thos Keetley, churchwardens.

A document containing the names of the contributors was also inserted in the bottle, and the whole hermetically sealed and cemented into the recess. The covering stone was laid by Mrs Grant Thorold in a very artistic manner. The service was then proceeded with, and a collection made from those who came to witness the ceremony, upwards of £33 being subscribed. During the collection the Archdeacon addressed the assembly, followed by the Rev. the Dean of Stamford, When the ceremony was concluded the festivities of the evening commenced by a public tea-party in the school room, the trays being contributed by the ladies of the parish of Clee, the proceeds of which, we understood, increased the sum above-named to upwards of £50. After tea the very large company was amused by a concert, Miss King, of Beaconthorpe, presiding at the pianoforte, and that lady sang several songs which were effectively rendered. The Clee church choir assisted with songs and choruses, under the leadership of Mr Renshaw, the whole being interspersed with addresses by the Dr Freeth, Rev F. Hemmans, Archdeacon Kaye, Mr Thos Keetley, and by Mr Atkinson. The harmony was also contributed to by Mr Tretton (Beaconthorpe) and Mr Annington (Thrunscoe).

 A labouring man of Clee, named Brodle, waggoner, in the service of Mr Atkinson, whilst carting tares on Tuesday was knocked down by the horse suddenly starting on. The vehicle passed over his legs, bruising them very seriously. Mr Thos Keetley, surgeon, attended the sufferer, and found that no bones were broken.