Chancel Restoration 1868 - 1875

Chancel Restoration 

Restoration of the Chancel began in 1874, under the direction of Mr RJ Withers, architect, of London, the contract being  taken by Mr Chappell, of Tring, the builder to whom the nave was entrusted in 1867/8.

The chancel of the the church, of which the patron (Earl Brownlow) is lay rector, is now, 1875, approaching completion, after a large outlay.

Friday 11^th November 1875 - Re-opening of the chancel of St Mary’s

The festival of the reopening of the chancel of the Parish Church was held and, in spite of the forbidding weather and occasional snow storms, drew a large gathering of friends and neighbours from all sides. The excellent ringers were at work by 8 am. The services began with a celebration of the the Holy Communion at 9am. The effect of the east end, even now, without the decoration which is to follow, is exceedingly beautiful.

At 11am the patron of the living, Earl Brownlow, arrived with the Bishop to the Diocese and the Archdeacon of Buckingham, who were received at the gates by the Vicar and Churchwardens.  The Bishop was the first to enter by the new chancel door, and passed to the vestry, where the clergy of the Rural Deanery of Ivinghoe and others were waiting in their robes.

The procession passed down the aisle and by the nave into the chancel, while the numerous and efficient choir sang Hymn 164 “Ancient and Modern”.

Prayers were said by the Vicar, Rev Birch, the special lessons were read by the Revs PT Ouvry and C. Hutchinson. The Litany was read by the Rev W Roberts of Wigginton.

The Bishop preached from 1^st Chronicles, xiv, giving a very thoughtful sermon on the privileges of offering our best to God, the giver of all our blessings.

The afternoon service was choral. The service, to the third collect, was taken by the Vicar, the rest by the Rev C Smith, the Curate of Dagnall. The special lessons were read by the Revs FB Harvey and CG Lane.

An eloquent sermon was preached by Archdeacon Cust, from the words of psalmist - “Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness”, pointing out how the outward beauty of the house of God was nothing unless the worshippers stove after inward holiness of life and conversation..

Collections were made after each service towards the lighting of the church, estimated to cost £45, of which sum over £31 was contributed. The unfavourable weather detained some who would have increased this amount,  but the result was gratifying to all and very encouraging.

The Parish Church - opening of the new organ. - June 18^th 1885

The new organ, which has been erected in the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, was opened with appropriate services on Thursday June 18^th.

The arrangements included a full choral service in the afternoon, with sermons by the Very Rev the Dean of York, and organ recitals before and after the service by Mr F Kinkee, late organist of St Michaels and All Angels, Paddington.

The old one manual instrument was quite out of keeping with the Church, which possesses many features of architectural interest and has been recently restored in a thorough and most satisfactory manner, so that there was every reason for the efforts made by the Vicar, the Very Rev Archdeacon Brooks, to induce his parishioners  to enter heartily into a movement which had for its object  the purchase of a new organ.

The Archdeacon, the church wardens and the Parishioners generally may be congratulated upon the short time in which they have achieved their object. The fund was opened autumn of last year, a grand Bazaar being held in August in the Vicarage grounds.  The Earl and Countess of Brownlow, Lady Marian Alford, and most of the clergy and gentry of the neighbourhood were present. Only a sum of about £60 is still outstanding.

The organ is the work of Messrs Bishop and Son, 250 MArylebone Road, (builder to her Majesty and his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales), who have long been justly famed for the excellence of their instruments. The total cost will be about £260.

After the service and recital the visitors proceeded to the Vicarage grounds, where tea was provide, both in a marquee and on 8 side tables  under the spreading branches of a noble chestnut. The tables were supplied and presided over by Mrs Brooks, Mrs Sarbutt, Mrs Chennells, Mrs Pratt, Mrs Bunker, Mrs Peppiatt, Mrs Allison, Mrs Bentley Archer, Miss Thorn, Miss Shaw, and Mr B  Mead.

During the evening the village Drum and Fife band played a selection of music. The offertory at the afternoon service amounted to £7. 14s. The Earl and Countess of Brownlow were unable to be present on account of the indisposition of the Countess.

Sources

• 1868 Records of Buckinghamshire, date unknown - post 1867.
• 1875 08 14 From Bucks Herald 14^th August 1875. from British Newspaper Archive 
• 1875 08 21 From Bucks Advertiser and Free Press - Saturday 21/8/1875 - from British Library Archives
• 1875 11 6 From Bucks Herald 6 11 1875 from British Newspaper Archive 
• 1875 11 6 From Bucks Herald 6 11 1875 from British Newspaper Archive 
• 1875 11 30 From Leighton Buzzard Observor 30 11 1875 - from BLA
• 1875 12 04 From Bucks Herald 4 12 1875 from British Newspaper Archive  Edlesborough
• 1876 03 10 From Building News 10 03 1876 - from British Newspaper Archive 
• 1876 09 15 From Building News 15 9 1876 re lithograph
• 1885 06 27  From Bucks Herald 27 6 1885. from British Newspaper Archive 
• 1895 From ‘The Proceedings of the Bucks Architectural and Archaeological Sociery, for the year 1895.
• 1896 06 16 From LB Observer 16 6 1896 - from British Newspaper Archive 
• 1868 Groundplan. ICBSO06662 - Edlesborough, St Mary the Virgin. Creator: Robert Jewell Withers. Originally published online as part of the Church Plans Online Project. Rights: Lambeth Palace Library