31 
patronised by William Canynges, the great Bristol Merchant. I 
suppose Abbot Nailheart to have been the donor of these costly 
embellishments. 
When the present Rector came to Butcombe the Church was 
in a very decayed condition, and many years elapsed before he 
could see his way to effect, in any degree, its restoration. At 
last, some six years ago, he was enabled by the help of friends to 
begin the work; and it was sufficiently advanced for Divine 
service to be resumed in the Church on the 22nd September, 
1869. So decayed was the fabric from roof to foundation that, 
with the exception of the Tower and Lady Chapel, it was 
necessary to rebuild it. The restoration, however, is still incom- 
plete, though it is gradually progressing, and we have hope that, 
some day, if it please God, and the funds can be obtained, it may 
again boast some of the grandeur which it possessed in the days 
of Abbot Nailheart. All the remains of the old stained glass 
have been collected and placed in the East Window of the Lady 
Chapel. The old roofs, which had been beautifully painted and 
gilded, had been concealed by plaster ceilings, erected apparently 
for the purpose of concealing the miserable state of the old 
timbers, which were so much decayed that it seems most provi- 
dential that they did not fall upon the heads of the worshipers. 
They have now been restored~--what was sound being retained, 
what was decayed being replaced by new timbers—as to mouldings 
and every other particular, except painting (which it is hoped may 
yet be accomplished), exactly in accordance with the patterns of 
the old. This remark will apply also to the new stone work in 
the Church, especially the arch of the north Chapel, that between 
the Chancel and Lady Chapel and the Chancel arch. In the 
Church, before the Restoration, there was not a Chancel arch, 
but the critical state of the Tower rendered it absolutely necessary 
to erect one for its support. In the east wall of the Lady Chapel 
is a niche, which was once, we may see, richly carved, painted 
and gilded ; but the face of which has been destroyed with axes 
