CHAPTER XXVI. HOLY TRINITY CHURCH-CHURCH PLATE and Registers-Vicars OF HOLY TRINITY-INCOME OF THE LIVING-S. JOHN'S CHURCH VICARS OF S. JOHN'S-S. MICHAEL'S CHURCH. HOLY TRINITY CHURCH. HE erection of a second Church at Gainsburgh was chiefly due to the initiative of the Rev. C. Hensley, the earnest Curate who became its first Vicar. Perceiving the great needs of the Parish, he drove over to Riseholme in company with Mr. T. Oldman, and laid before the Bishop the whole state of the case, showing him that it was really desirable to erect Churches in the hamlets of Morton and East Stockwith, as well as in the Southern part of the town. The Bishop advised them to attend first to the more pressing needs of Gainsburgh, and to call a public meeting. This was done in August 1841, and the result exceeded their expectations. The non-resident Vicar, Mr. Beckett, gave up a portion of his glebe land. The lord of the manor, Mr. H. B. Hickman, gave £500, Mr. Edward Sandars £250, the Revs. Sir C. Anderson, G. Beckett, and C. Hensley, Messrs. T. Lee-Warner, G. Sandars, H. Smith, and Miss C. Hutton gave £100 each. The Bishop, Messrs. C. Anderson, J. Urquhart, W. B. Heaton, Rook, Emerson, F. and G. Gamble, and W. Furley gave £50 each, and many other persons added lesser sums, so that it was not long before the required £8,100 was raised. At that time Church architecture was in a state of transition. The revival initiated in England by Inigo Jones and Wren had been entirely classical, and until the end of the Eighteenth Century almost all public buildings of importance were built in that style, although it had lost much of its force. During more than fifty years before 1815 only about six Churches were built in London, and although after the General Peace a great revival of church building set in, the styles in vogue were still indeterminate, and such pointed architecture as had been revived was somewhat of the nature of "Churchwardens' Gothic," whilst Classical buildings were still frequently erected. Of the many designs that were sent in for the consideration of the committee almost all were Classical, with domes and cupolas; but besides the additional expense that would have been incurred by the use of such a style, from the greater solidity of the materials, the committee felt that Early English Gothic was a more purely ecclesiastical style than Classical or Renaissance, and they accepted the plans of Mr. T. Johnson, of Lichfield. The first stone was laid on September 27th, 1841, and the Church was consecrated on June 29th, 1843. Although not in itself a particularly admirable specimen of ecclesiastical architecture, Holy Trinity Church is historically interesting as marking an early stage of the Gothic revival in England. When architects were gradually feeling their way back to the use of the pointed arch, after two or three centuries of rounded arches and lintels, they naturally followed the example set by their Early English predecessors of six or seven centuries before, and began with simple lancet windows. A little later they redeveloped the foliated lights and graceful capitals of Decorated work, whilst at the present time we are witnessing a reaction towards Classical forms, and church architects appear to be slowly approaching a distinctive Twentieth Century style, whose character is not yet decided. Holy Trinity Church is cruciform, with very long transepts and a sharply pointed spire. Many of the windows are filled with stained glass. In 1864 the Chancel was lengthened to accommodate the surpliced Choir then introduced. The high pews were cut down in 1867 and 1869, the Chancel screen given in 1871, the whole Church relighted in 1878, and other improvements effected in 1880 and more recent years. As it stands, though not structurally beautiful, Holy Trinity Church is in most respects well adapted for the markedly devotional instincts of its congregation, which has for many years been devotedly attached to the building. The Churchyard, planted with trees in 1855, is picturesque. CHURCH PLATE AND REGISTERS. At the consecration of the Church in 1843 Mr. Henry Bacon Hickman gave a massive service of Church plate, which with the consent of the authorities was re-modelled in 1872. The next year a handsome Chalice and Paten, set with amethysts, topazes, and carbuncles were given, and in 1884 another Chalice and Paten were added, a Wafer-box being presented two years later. One of the Chalices, obtained by exchange, appears to be of foreign manufacture. It has the word JEHSUS, and V.K. 1653, and a small crucifix on the base. The metal is silver-gilt. The Registers date from 1843, and are well kept. VICARS OF HOLY TRINITY. CHARLES HENSLEY. 1843 to 1854. M.A., Cambridge. Licensed 1843. [Vicar of Cabourne 1854. 1895, aged 96.] WILLIAM ARMETRIDING FRITH. 1854 to 1867. By Bishop of Lincoln, on cession of Charles Hensley, Nov. 16th, 1854. [Son of Edward Cockayne Frith, clerk, of Bexley, Kent. Matriculated at Worcester Coll. Oxon. 1845, aged 17, B.A. 1847, M.A. 1852. Rector of Welby 1867 to 1898. Died at Berkhampsted Aug. 6th, 1900.] GEORGE LANGTON HODGKINSON. 1867 to 1891. By Bishop, on cession of William Armetriding Frith, Sept. 18th, 1867. [Son of George Hodgkinson, of Kentish Town, Midx. gent. Matriculated at Pembroke Coll. Oxon., 1856, aged 18, B.A. 1860, M.A. 1863. Rector of S. Lawrence, Northfield, Birmingham, 1891 to 1900. Prebendary of Decem Librarum 1876.] FRANCIS HIGGS DALBY. 1891 to 1902. By Bishop, on cession of George Langton Hodgkinson, June 20th, 1891. [Son of William Bennett Dalby, of Penzance, Cornwall, M.D. Matriculated at Christchurch, Oxon. 1871, aged 17. B.A. 1875, M.A. 1877. Rector of Faldingworth cum Buslingthorpe 1885 to 1892. Rector of Clee 1902.] FRANCIS BALDWIN. 1902. By Bishop, on cession of Francis Higgs Dalby. [B.A. Jesus Coll. Cambs. 1872. Vicar of Maltby, Yorks. 1877 to 1880, Rector of Skegness 1880 to 1892, Rector of Aswardby cum Sausthorpe 1892 to 1902.] INCOME OF THE LIVING. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners granted the sum of £47 per annum in 1844, and of £147 per annum in 1879. Other sums were given later, making up the income from this source to £276 per annum. Fees amount to about £35, and rent of glebe to £5. The net income is £262. The Vicarage was built in 1855-6 at a cost of £1350. S. JOHN'S CHURCH. The origin of the new Church and Parish of S. John's was well related by Canon Hodgkinson in "Fifty Years' Church Work in a Working Men's Parish," from which we quote: "When the population was growing at an alarming rate I requested the Lord of the Manor, Sir Hickman Beckett Bacon, through my dear friend, Thomas Hugh Oldman, his solicitor, to reserve a small piece of land on which we might erect a Mission Room. I had then no idea whatever of the creation of another Parish, but it had occurred to one who was able also to bring it to a successful issue. I had been anxiously expecting an answer to my modest request, and wondering how I should raise funds for my Mission Room, it I got the site, when Thomas Oldman called on me one morning, S. Faith's Day, 1879. He fairly took my breath away by the magnificence of the scheme which he laid before me, and the generosity of Sir Hickman's proposition. He asked me if I would accept the site now so well known, containing about an acre of land, and would co-operate with a Board of Trustees nominated by Sir Hickman, who should hold the land, and build upon it a Church, Schools, Vicarage, &c. Sir Hickman promised also to give one half of the cost of the buildings, which promise he has much more than fulfilled. Without any hesitation I accepted his munificent offer, though it was not made public until Sir Hickman had matured his plans." Generous subscriptions were given, and a great Bazaar in the Old Hall realised £800. The first stone of the Church was laid on June 20th, 1881, and it was opened on May 4th, 1882, as a Chapel of Ease to Holy Trinity, and consecrated by the Bishop on All Saints' Day, 1882, the ecclesiastical Parish being formed on December 29th of that year. The outside appearance of S. John's Church has not hitherto been regarded as prepossessing, but that is because it is only a small part of a large and very handsome Church, the designs for which were made by Messrs. Somers Clarke and Micklethwaite. The Church is built in the Decorated style of Gothic architecture, and is to be cruciform, with a handsome Western Tower. The Eastern limb has beautiful Sedilia and a dignified Altar. There is a temporary Chancel Screen, and the pillars of that portion of the Nave which is already built are enclosed in temporary outer walls. In 1902-3 the Church was greatly enlarged. Among the ornaments of S. John's are two very curious and interesting candlesticks of great size, which were brought from Egypt, and are said to have been formerly used for the burning of incense. These candlesticks were offered by Sir. H. B. Bacon to Lincoln Cathedral, where they would have been admired by all visitors, but to the good fortune of S. John's, they were refused by the authorities. There is also a beautiful brass chandelier, dating from 1670. The other ornaments are interesting and valuable, especially those for the personal use of the clergy. These were given by Sir Hickman B. Bacon, who took the deepest interest in the foundation and equipment of the Church, and who has contributed largely to its endowment. The Church Plate, given in 1882, consists of a very good silvergilt Chalice and Paten. The Registers date from the opening of |