gO NOTES ON HOPE CHURCH. 
Cathedral Church of Lichfield ought long ago to have been 
levelled with the ground. 
Though not successful in staying the destruction of the 
old chancel, our society is to be congratulated upon having 
secured three most important modifications of the original 
scheme of the architect. Firstly—the notion of a high-pitched 
roof, which would have completely destroyed the character of 
the church, has been abandoned; secondly—English oak has 
been substituted for pitch-pine for the timbers of the new 
roof; thirdly—the sedilia are not to be reduced to one level. 
‘“‘T cannot help hoping that two other modifications may 
yet be gained. Firstly, the rebuilding in the new chancel of 
the old priest’s doorway, which is in good preservation and 
of two distinct periods; secondly, the placing of the new 
side windows in the same position as the old ones. With 
respect to this latter point, I would remark that in the old 
chancel the middle of the three bays on each side was unpierced 
with Perpendicular windows (whatever may have been their earlier 
condition), and it is now proposed to leave the bays nearest the 
east end unlighted ; but surely this decision would be contrary to 
the general use of old custom as well as to the canons of 
ecclesiastical propriety. 
It may also be well to note that one or two of the inscribed 
tombstones that form part of the floor of the chancel had been 
dislodged at the time of our visit but not removed, and that the 
remainder were in position. It is to be hoped that these 
memorials will be either carefully removed or covered up during 
the demolition, otherwise their destruction by falling beams or 
stones seems highly probable. 
Photographs of the interior and exterior of the chancel were 
taken for the society, on the 16th, by Mr. Keene, of Derby. 
Deeply regretting that the generous and well-meant intentions 
of the subscribers to the new chancel of Hope Church could not 
have been led into a less harmful direction, 
I remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant, 
J. CHARLES COX. 
Christ Church Vicarage, Lichfield, June 1, 1881. 
