Page 269 - Reading Mercury

low wooden screen in the Chancel arch. The pavement is of Minton’s tiles. The
fittings in the Nave are simple and comm.??? Open sittings and the old Font has been
re-fixed near the Tower Arch. Several painted windows have been presented to the
Church: the most noteworthy of these is the west window in the chancel which is by
Lardman of Birmingham and was presented by Elliott Morres, Esq. It is very
handsome and exceedingly well executed. The central figure represents the
Crucifixion, and on each side the Evangelists. Above is represented our Saviour in
glory, taken from the first chapter of Revelations. On the left and right of this there
are two figures representing the Resurrection and Ascension.
In the east of the south side aisle there is a memorial window, and facing the south
another, presented by members of the Twycross family, who have otherwise
subscribed very liberally towards the restoration of the Church. The former window
has the following subjects: the Baptism, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of
our Lord; under perpendicular canopies with pedestals and inscriptions relative to
each subject, viz:--“Thou art my beloved Son;” “Truly this was the Son of God;” “I
am the Resurrection;” “I ascend unto my Father.” The inscription at the foot of the
window is as follows:-- “To the Glory of God, and pious memory of James Twycross,
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who fell asleep 3 December, 1862; also Mary his wife, 3 December, 1837. This
window is humbly dedicated by their sorrowing children.”
The tracery contains devices of angels with crowns of glory, and palm branches:
Two with sacred music, and two bearing scrolls with texts, “Hallelujah,” and “Praise
the Lord.” The south window contains the subject of our Saviour raising Jairus’s,
daughter under a rich and appropriate canopy floriated ornament of the lily, emblem
of purity, with angels bearing a scroll with the words, “She is not dead but sleepeth,”
and at the bottom are the words, “This window is humbly dedicated to the pious
memory of Olivia, daughter of James and Mary Twycross who entered into her rest
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9 December 1853.” In the tracery are figures of faith, hope, charity, piety, prudence
and devotion. These windows were designed and executed by Mr. W. Holland, of
Warwick. The rich and splendid cloth which covered the altar, was worked by Miss
Twycross and is worth, we understand, £36.
The old, solid chalk pillars still remain an object of interest. The stone carving in the
new work has been beautifully executed by Nicholls. Upwards of 21 feet altogether
have been added to the length of the edifice.
The gas standards adopted are exceedingly neat, and with the plain open seats, lend
an elegant appearance to the whole internal structure. The Church has been carefully
drained, and a heating apparatus applied to it, which was constructed by Mr. Potter, of
South Molton-street. Mr. Woodyer of Grafham, was the architect; Messrs. Lawrence
the contractor, and Mr. Edgington acted as Clerk of Works. The iron work was by
Messsrs.Filmer and Mason, of Guildford.
On the morning of Friday long before the inhabitants had finished their slumbers the
bells from the old tower rang out a merry peal and continued to do so at intervals till
eleven o’clock when the ceremony of re-opening commenced. The day appeared to be
observed as a general holiday in the town, and a large number of strangers arrived by
the different trains. Triumphal arches of evergreens were erected opposite the
principal entrances to the church, and some time before the appointed hour arrived,
the renovated structure was filled with a most respectable congregation, the admission
being by ticket, and all who had not previously an opportunity of inspecting the sacred
edifice was struck with it noble and beautiful appearance, especially contrasted with
what it had been.

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