By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 47 



It may also be remarked that the ovolo mouldings of the circular 

 pillars are not alike, two together. The hood moulding which 

 supported the roof loft on the north is very clear. The steps which 

 led to it on the south were brought to view, when the Church was 

 restored. This was in 1850, under the superintendance of Mr. T. 

 H. Wyatt, Diocesan architect, and at a cost of £321, which was 

 provided, without any rate, by grants from the Incorporated and 

 Diocesan Church Building Societies, and by private subscriptions. 

 It was high time. The area was divided into thirteen enclosures, 1 

 corresponding to the principal farms, of different sizes, but all so 

 high, that the clergyman at the communion table could not see his 

 congregation, nor they him. The accommodation for the poor 

 was confined to a singing gallery, 2 which completely filled up the 

 western arch and window, and to some few seats under it. Another 

 gallery closed another window in the North Aisle. The Church 

 being then made rather dark, five attic windows (one for the 

 preacher's special benefit over the pulpit) were inserted in the roof, 

 which they extensively weakened. The damp and decay were 

 such, that fungi were growing on the altar steps. The paths were 

 uneven and unsafe: here a hard stone had resisted the tread, here 

 a soft one was hollowed. Some walls were split. The heavy sound- 

 ing board was like to tear itself by its own weight from its hold- 

 ings, and overwhelm the unhappy preacher in his pulpit. The 

 bases of the large circular pillars were cut away to fit in the pews, 

 the foundations (originally shallow) were undermined by vaults 

 (the fee for burying in church was only 13s. 4d. a century since). 



1 "Mr. "Weekes built a new seat of deal. December 1726." (Mr. Hickes' 

 memoranda.) This may have been the beginning of the lofty pew system, 

 which in 1850 was defended here on the authority of Scripture ; " when thou 

 prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door." 



2 " 1708. This year the gallery was erected and built. Towards the same 

 Thomas llorton gave four pounds one shilling and sixpence. William Hickes, 

 Rector, gave ten shillings. The whole cost was twelve pounds." ■; (Mr. ITickes' 

 memoranda). The neglect of the labouring poor was based on an intelligible 

 principle. One of the chief tenants said to the Rector, 1850, that the church 

 was for the use of the rate-payers, and that, if it were held that money was to 

 be spent for the advantage of those who did not contribute it, ho would be an 

 anti-church rate man. 



