304 Notes on the History of Mere. 
Matthew’s Day (21st September), in that year. The Church is 
built of Mere Stone with Ham Hill dressings. The inside is brick. 
The roof is of pitch pine, and is covered with tiles from Bishop’s 
Waltham. Wood blocks form the floor of the nave, and the chancel 
is laid with Maw & Co.’s tiles. The windows are glazed with 
Cathedral glass, the work having been executed by Mr. Horwood, 
of Frome. The three central windows of the apse are in stained 
glass by the same firm, representing Our Lord in Majesty, to the 
memory of Miss Julia E. Chafyn Grove, who died November 27th, 
1891, the north light containing a representation of the Virgin 
Mary, the south, of St. John. The font was presented by the 
Rector and Churchwardens of Pylle Church, Somerset, on their 
discovery of the original font of their own Church. The builders 
of the Church were Messrs. John Hooper and Charles Coward, both 
of Mere; the architect, C. E. Ponting, Esq., F.S.A. 
DissENTING CHAPELS. 
The first mention of a Meeting-House is in the churchwardens’ 
book :— 
1705. At y* Church was 8°. and 8d. at y*° Meeting House, 10*, in all.” 
1706. Collected briefs. Chatteris March 31, 8*. Morgan’s Lane, South- 
wark Aug. 18" 17°, 24, 2q. whereof was collected at y° Meeting House 6°. 24. 2q- 
Bafford Church Sept. 8th, 10°. 67. Great Torrington Sept 22, 16°. 2¢. whereof 
5°. 10%. was Collected at y* Meeting House.” 
“ William Smith Nov. 17th 11°. 64. 2q. whereof 4°, 64, 2q. was collected at y* 
Meeting House.” 
“1707. Briefs collected. North Marston June y* 8th 17s, 7d. whereof is 
collected at Meeting Ho. 
“For Shire Lane at y* Church Fourteen shillings, at y® Meeting House Five 
shillings. In all nineteen shillings. July 6th.” 
“ For Towcester at y° Church Ten shillings and four pence, at y* Meeting 
house Three shillings ninepence. In all fourteen shillings and one penny July 
y° 27th.” 
“For Little Port September y® 7th at y* Church Twelve shillings; at y° 
Meeting House Three shillings and Eleven pence, in all Fifteen shillings and 
Eleven pence.” 
“For Spilsby at y® Church Sixteen shillings, at y° Meeting House Seven 
shillings : In all Twenty three shillings. 
“ Collected for Southam Brief y* sum of Twelve shillings.’’ ! 
1These are the last briefs entered in the accounts; before this time, for 
upwards of a hundred years, they are annually recorded. 
