Archbishop visits Wateringbury (1850)

Post date: Jan 20, 2012 11:59:1 AM

The Kentish Gazette of 28th May 1850 reported:

WATERINGBURY. On Friday se'nnight, his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, held a confirmation at our parish church. This solemn and interesting rite of the church, has not been solemnized here for many years, and the occasion consequently excited great interest. The parishes from which the candidates for confirmation attended, were East and West Farleigh, Mereworth, Nettlested, Teston, East and West Peckham, Wateringbury and Yalding. The body of the church was completely filled with the young people, and many visitors were present, who were accommodated in the organ gallery. The number confirmed was upwards of four hundred, to whom His Grace delivered a most impressive address. The confirmation service was read by the Vicar, the Rev. H. Stevens, and appropriate psalms were sung by the choristers, accompanied by the organ.

Henry Stevens was vicar of Wateringbury from 1840 to 1877. He was a keen archaeologist and interested in the The Dumb Borsholder.

The Archbishop of Canterbury was John Bird Sumner who had been created Archbishop some 2 years previously in 1848 and continued until his death in 1862. He was a member of the evangelical 'party' in the church.

Image from Wikipedia

See also Archbishop visits Wateringbury (1884)