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Notes on the History of Merc, 



Charles Henry Townsend, 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 I860, 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 

 Ecclesiastical Commissioners, as Pectors, 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. 



I860 — 6. George A. E. Kempson. 



1867. Lucius Henry O'Brien. 



1868—!). W. Box. 



1869. Ernest Peere Williams Freeman. 



1870— 1 . William Hobday. 



1871 — 3. Henry Vaughan. 



1874. J. Sorrell and P. Thompson. 



1875. 11. W. P. Montgomery and J. S. Ellis. 



1876. Greorge Fletcher and C. J. Armistead. 

 1876—1881. James Cheel. 



Edwin George Wyld, 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 



