290 Notes on the History of Mere. 
Cuar.Les Henry Townsenp, M.A., Vicar 1861—1881. 
Of Brasenose College, Oxford. Was previously Perpetual Curate 
of Laverstock, near Salisbury, where the present Church was built 
during his incumbency. Mr. Townsend was instituted to the 
Vicarage of Mere in November, 1861, the Church being first lighted 
with gas on December 22nd the same year. During his incumbency 
the new vicarage house at Mere was built in 1865, and the old 
vicarage sold to Mr. William Mitchell; also the Chapels were 
erected in the Cemetery. 
In 1870 a new organ was placed in the Church and the old one 
sold. 
In 1873 a new roof was put on the chancel of the Church by the 
Keclesiastical Commissioners, as Rectors, who subsequently added 
a reredos; and in 1878 the north-west pinnacle of the tower was 
struck by lightning, and re-erected. 
The Assistant-Curates at Mere during Mr. Townsend’s incum- 
bency were :— 
1864—5. Charles Edward Hornby. 
1865—6. George A. E. Kempson. 
1867. Lucius Henry O’Brien. 
1868—9. W. Box. 
1869. Ernest Peere Williams Freeman. 
1870—1. William Hobday. 
1871—8. Henry Vaughan. 
1874. J. Sorrell and R. Thompson. 
1875. KR. W. P. Montgomery and J. 8. Ellis. 
1876. George Fletcher and C. J. Armistead. 
1876—1881. James Cheel. 
Epwix GrorcrE Wytp, B.A., Vicar 1881—1890. 
Of Exeter College, Oxford. Previously Rector of Woodborough. 
Was instituted to the Vicarage of Mere, November 6th, 1881. In 
1890 he became Vicar of Melksham. 
1882.—February 14th, a branch of the C.E.T.S. was started. 
March 7th, the foundation stone of St. Matthew’s Church was laid 
