Vicar's suggestions for Church (1915)

Post date: Jan 25, 2014 1:6:57 PM

Extract from August 1915 parish magazine:

NOTES AND NOTICES.

We make no reference to the War this month, except to say that the List of Sailors and Soldiers has been revised and put up in the Church.

As a mark of appreciation of the Thursday Celebrations some ladies of the parish have presented to the Church a new Altar Book—a handsome volume bound in red morocco, the cover being designed by Miss Lambert. Miss Livett (of Clevedon), who times her annual visit to the Vicarage so as to help the Vicar in making up and publishing the Parochial Accounts, has given an equally handsome brass Book Desk of unique design. A little bird whispers that a new set of book-markers, badly needed, are on their way and a font-cover, also needed, has lately been promised and is being made.

It is the Vicar's earnest hope that before his incumbency comes to an end he may see the chancel and sanctuary arranged in a more dignified and worthy manner. He would sweep away the ugly deal pews now unoccupied, replacing them by two or three Glastonbury chairs against the wall on each side,with kneeling desks in front, giving more space in the centre; lower the chancel by one step and put a low rail either side under the chancel-arch. He would bring the Communion rail further west (to the west end of the Style monument, which of course, though unfortunately, cannot be moved), and lower the sanctuary by one step, adding a second "pace" (or step) to the altar, which, with its present pace would remain as it is. He would cover the approach up the centre of the chancel and onwards up the steps to the altar with a rich carpet, and also put a broad strip of carpet on each side within the rail. And lastly he would do something to make the sedile less bare and uncomfortable. He hopes to make a plan of these suggestions, and meanwhile he begs the parishioners to think over them and favour him with ideas for their improvement. Could something be done at the close of the war by way of a thanksgiving memorial?

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It is not proposed this year to ask parishioners to subscribe as usual for a summer outing for the choir. The choir indeed, diminished in numbers by war service, recently enjoyed a visit to Rochester,at the Vicar's expense, to take part in the annual Patronal Festival which Dean Storrs has established,but the choristers and indeed all the school children, have been so forward in work and self-denial for various war funds that one would like them to have a real treat. Will some parishioner kindly offer to give an afternoon , with tea and games, in their garden or grounds here at home? The teachers would gladly organise it. The offer may be sent either to the Vicar or to Mr. Smith.

The war does not seem to put a complete stop to summer outings, for no less than three parties from Rochester and Chatham churches have lately visited Wateringbury: the Cathedral choristers spent an enjoyable day in the Vicarage grounds, bringing their meals with them; the mothers of St. John's,Chatham, did much the same in a quieter way, making use of the Church Rooms, and extending their programme to include a service in the Church and a visit to Mr. R. H. Fremlin's beautiful garden; and the mothers of St Mary's, Chatham also paid us a visit under the guidance of Dr. and Mrs. Burr,taking their meals at the Queen's Head room.