The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-07-28 00:00:00

RE-OPENING OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.

The enlargement of this beautiful church having been
completed, it was re-opened on Thursday last, when
the ceremony of consecration was performed by the
Lord Bishop of Salisbury. Mr. R. C. Bennett, of
Weymouth, prepared plans for the enlergfiment, which
no judiciouly harmonise with the original work that a
atranger could hardly say where the additions com-
mence. Mr. T. Dodson hu proved • most efficient
exPont of Mr. Bennett's ideas. and hu carried out
the work in • =toner that will be a lasting monument
of his ability as an coelesiestical builder. The ornament-
ation of the interior be. been entrusted to Mr. Grassby,
of Doichester, whou skill in the beautiful art a
sculpture has been for some time well known in this
eounty, but who in the cue el St. John's Church ham
given evidence of • ouster hand in this delicate melt.
The nave has been prolonged 15ft., and the transepts
extended Cit., besides being made double the original
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road,
.
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Las been porch
1 while on the opposite I.llte have been built vestries for
the clergy and choir, and also an organ ehamber. The 1
enlargement has secured accommodation for about 320
persons. The foundation-stone of the new work we. laid
January lad of this year, Mr. Dodson being under
engagement to complete his contract by the 30th of
June, and be has fulfilled his engagement. Tkk
enlargement has given an opportunity to various bane.
factors to beautify the church by splendid memoriel
windows inserted in the chancel and transepts,
and these make a noble addition to the two magnifieent
windows plaited in the out and west end of the edam

the former by Captain Hawkins to tie memory of his
wife, and the latter by the presso incumbent as
memorial of the deceased Mrs. litephoson. The windows
In the north and south sides of the chasms' have been
be...towed by W. Thompson, "sq. The northern
represents the meeting of theSarior and Mary Magdalen
f° the garden, and bears the tot " I ascend unto my
father and your father, and my Cod and your GosL" In
the upper Part are the verde v'Evangelium sternum."
amens Belsat ain • b.' bore the following inscrip-
tion :—" To the glory of God_ In memory of Sarah
The beloved wif of William ThomP°°°. of Climapti`
'
Eases, and Weymouth. Dis window was erected by
her husband •nd sons. Oh March 3, 1868, lit. 48."
The southern chancel wind,"
portrays the three women
Ping to the sepulchre, efier our Lord's resurrection,
and being meth the ea pl,who addresses them, "Why
seek ye the liejog "moo the deed" It bears also the
Latin motto "Sancti-aims Beatissima." The bnue
beneath is jusoibed 'To the glory at God, and in
memory of Adelaide, Robert, and Insist, the children
of William and Sa,ah Thompson, of Cements, Essex,
and Weymouth. This window wee erected by their
fond parent', A.D 1868." These windows were executed
by Messrs. Ward and Hughes,of Soho, the makers also
of the western vindow. Dr. Smith has also placed
two splendid •indows In the south transept. One of
these repress/0i the principal personages of the Te Dem.
IS also bears she arms of the Smith family, with the
motto "Nil labore magnum abeque." On scrolls are
also the words, "re goon-irons tuis lawulia subveni ;
Quoe pieties sanguine redentisti." Ths following
legend do occupies the base, "Erected to the glory of
God, and in memory of his servants, Willism Smith,
Erq., and Elizabeth, his wife, their son, William
Johnson Smith, M.D., of this parish, 1868." The other
window has for its subject the 4th chapter of Revels
tions—St. John beholding the throne of God in heaven,
with the four and twenty elders worshipping, and the
seven lamps of fire burning. In the lower part are the
Johnson anus, with the motto "Hewitt= non wattle.'
Below is the inscription, "Erected to the glory of God,
and in memory of Sir Edward Johimon' K.G.S. a.P.
and DL.. o 0 this county, by his nephew. William John- ,
son Smith, M.D., of this parish. 1868." In the north
chancel a stained window symbolism the raising of
Lamm from the dead, and an inscription Mated it was
erected "To the glory of God, and in memory of Henry
Taylor, Esq , of Radipole House, Weymouth, and of
his two misters, Ellen and Jane Taylor, by their only
surviving brother and sister, John Taylor, Esq., and
Alice Lord, 1868." The other window remains un-
filled, except by rough glass, and by its unbecoming
appearance seems plaintively to invite another bene-
factor to COMO to the rescue and complete the good
work by inserting the remaining memorial which shall
match the munificent gifts already bestowed. The
Ist-named stained window was supplied by Livers and
Barraud, of London. The reredos Its been basked
with Portland stone, and will shortly be illuminated
with the commandment.. ko. A new communioistabla
of oak, the gift of the builder, Mr. Dodson, has been
added to the Astra furniture, and the whole of the
chancel paved with Maw's eneaustio tiles, presented by
W. Thompson, Esq., as oertified by • brass inserted
within the communion rails: "This tile pavement was
placed in this chancel by Willive Thompson, of
Clemente, Ease:, and of Weymouth, Esquire, in
memory of his beloved wife Sarah, who died Marsh 3,
1868." Four elegant gas standards of handsome design
have been erected in the chancel, and were supplied
by Wager, of From.. The chancel aisle is distinguished
by moulded shafts, the only ooeurrence of thie claim of
sculpture throughout the church. The arches have also
hood mouldings, with ands carved at the terminations;
the corbels sculptured with heads and foliage. The
choir stalls in the chancel are of plain oak, with served
poppy leaves at the ends, the organ has been removed
to the chamber on the side opposite where it formerly
stood. The chancel has been raised three feet, and the
spew within the communion rails 18 incheL A new
ohaneel arch has also been built, with the capitals
beautifully carved with foliage. The oorbels throughout
the nave and transepts have been elegantly carved, the
whole of the elerestory windows lowered, and stone sills
inserted. A hood moulding has been added to the west
wiadow, and the doors have been similarly decorated,
the hoses and finials being admirably carved. The
church has been plastered throughout, the roof cleaned,
and the pews re-varnished. A very conspicuous
addition to the furniture is • lectern in the shape of an
eagle, coved in oak, by Margetts, of Oxford. The
pulpit has been removed to the opposite aide, under the
new transept arch, and re-constructed and placed on an
octagon base. The alms basin, • sumptuous piece of
plate which was placed on the communion-table, was
some time since presented by John Trenehard Trenchard,
Esq., in memory of his deceased wife.
Morning service commenced at eleven, and when the
hour arrived the church 1/111. crowded In every part.
The Bishop. attended by his chaplains, the Rev. Talbot
Baker and the Rev. G. L Nash, was met etch. west door
by the Rev. J. Stephenson, the incumbent, and • large
number of the clergy of the dioome, as well as the
churchwardens, Mr. G. Frampton and Capt. Swatridge.
Here the customary petition praying for the eons:era-
Ceti of the church was presented to his lordship. A
procession of the Bishop and clergy was then formed,
paseioa up the nave, headed by the choir, singing the
24th Prim to Crotch's chant in A. This was • very

;ffeCtini—oo—m--mon—oeuserct of the service, the voice;
hernionising exceedingly well. The choir having taken
their places in the stalls, the Bishop seated himself on
the north side of the C.iminunion•tsble, and the other
clergy disposed themselves in the chancel aisle. His
lordship then read the exhortation and prayers, accord-
ing to the form used for the consecration of churches
and chapels in this diocese. The sentence of coneecrae
lion was read by the Von. Archdeacon Sanctuary. It
recited that the chancel had been wholly taken down,
and a new chancel of enlarged dimension. constructed,
the nave extended fifteen foot eastward, the north and
south transepts enlarged, two vestries erected on the
north and south sides foe the cbanoel, and an organ
chamber oonstrueted above the westernmost vestry ;
the extreme length of the church from east to west
being 122 feet, and the extreme breadth from north to
south 711 feet. The sentence having been subscribed by
the Bishop, was ordered, as is custoniary, to be enrolled
and preserved among the muniments of the registry.
The service of the day then commenced, prayers
being read by the incumbent, the Rev. J. Stephenson.
the first lesson by the Rev. J. D. Addison, inctim-
bent of Holy Trinity Church, and the second by the
Rev. H. Bothamley, curate ot St. John's. The epistle
I was read by the Rev. G. L. Nash, incumbent of
Tolpuddle, and the gospel by the Rev. Talbot Baker,
I vicar of Preston. The musical portion consisted of an
Introductory voluntary, "He shall feed his Sock,"
played very feelingly by Mr. Thorne, assistant organist,
Mr. Avant, the organist, performing very ably during
the rest of the servioe. The following chants were
used : —Venite, Jones; Psalms, Gauntlett and Green
(single), Elvey (doable); Te Doom, varied ; Jubilate.
C..irfe. The anthem was taken from Psalm cxxii (Dr.
G. Elvey). The hymn was that commencing " Christ
Is our corner stone," and the concluding voluntary
'Comfort ye my people." The musical portion went
exceedingly welL In the course of the service the Bishop
Inducted the Its,. John Miller to the rectory of All
Saints, Dorchester, vacant by the cession of the
Venerable Archdeacon Braim. The sermon was preached
by the Bishop, who selected as his tort Ecoles. ii. 4
" Ile that observeth the wind shall not sow, and he that
regsrdeth the clouds shall not reap." The discourse
had referencie to the present position of the Church of
England, his lordship exhortiog his hearers, both clergy
and laity, not to be discouraged by the events around
them from doing their ditty as sowers and reapers in the
kingdom of Cod. During the offertory sentences a copilot-
Mon was made, which amounted to the very satisfactory
sum of £129.
_

-7171M-1-u-n-ii;eon was held at the schoolroom, which was
appropriately decorated for the occasion. The viands
bad been supplied by various friends, and the guests we
ore sure must have been much gratified by the liberality
and twee which characterised the catering. Everything
was arranged in the most admirable manner, and all had
been done that could conduce to the comfort and ac.
commodation of the company. It reflected the greatest
credit on all who bail the direction of the affair. The
chair was taken by the Mayor (J. Timed, Esq.), who
was supported right and left by the Bishop of Salisbury
and the Rev. J. Stephenson. About 150 were present,
including—Rev. W. Glides, Rev. F. Rook., Mrs.
Rooks, Rev. J. Bart, Mrs. Burt, Rev. R. Newington,
Miss Newinn, Rev. F. Baker, Rev. W. H. Gorton,
Rev. 0. P. Cambridge, Rev. F. W. Janvrin, Rev. P.
I). 0. Sylvester, Rev. Jan Cree, Rev. W. 'T. Curpbey,
Rev. 0. L. Nash, Yen. Archdeacon Honey, Rev. A.
('odd, Rev. F. Motile, Rev. Roman, Rev. J. W.
Neat, Mrs. Neat, Rev. W. Knipe, Mrs. Knipe, Rev.
.r. R. Quirk, Rev. E. Headlands Mrs. Headland,
Rev. J. D. Addison, Mrs. Addison, Rev. George
Philippe. Rev. Sir J. Philippe, Rev. H. 'townsmen,
Mrs.- &iwlinson, Rev. "fill, Mrs. Hills Hey. F.
W. Tregarthen, Mrs. Treprthen. Rev. Si. Lee, Mrs.
Lee, Be.. C. P. Plano, Mrs. Minn, Rev. Talbot Baker,
Mrs. Baker, Rev. H. Bothanslp, Mn. Ho'hamley,
Rev. J. Stephenson, Rev. J. Veudrey, Mrs, Vssdrel,
Rev. Litilewood, Rev. —Welburn, Ten Archdeacon
Sanctuary, Rev. A. Baring• Gould, Rev. W. Si. Barnes,
Mr. and Miss Oarpendele, Mr. Avant, Mr. Thorn, Mr.
R. Thompson. like 'Thompson, Mr. K Kindel-4er,
Captain and Mrs. Thomas, Dr. Moorhead, Colonel
Marrystt, Mrs. and Mimes Mart7ott, Mr. Dodson, Mr.
and Mrs. Bennett, Dr. Smith, Mrs. Maclean, Mr. and
Mrs. Steggell. Mr., Mrs.. and Miss Frampton, Captain
Strotridp, Mr. and Mn. Teasley, Mr. J. Jacob,
Mr. J. Ading, Mr. and Mrs. E. Portbory,
Mr. and Mrs. R. Oakley, Mr. and Mrs. J.
Devenish, Mr. H. Devenith, Misses Allen, Rev. R. and
Mrs. Lynes, Rev. —Lynes, Rev. —Moore, Major and
Mrs. Wood, Mrs. Reginald Smith, Colonel Steward,
Mrs. Dew, Miss Heigham, Mrs. Gossett, Be. After the
the toast of the Queen and Royal family had bees
propped by the chairman and duly applauded, the
chairmen briefly proposed the health of their honoured
guest the Lord Bishop of Salisbury (applause).
—The Bishop of Salisbury on rising was greeted with
prolonged applause. His lordship expressed his grati-
fication on the completion of this church extension, and
proposed "The health, not only of Mr. Stephenson,
bat of those from whom be bad received great assistance,
aid without *horn he could not have carried out the
work--his excellent churchwardens—(applause).—The
Rev. J. Stephenson replied, acknowledging the efficient
help he had received from the churchwardens—Mr.
Frampton and Capt. Swairidge, his curate, and friends.
He also spoke in the highest terms of the architect,
Mr. Bennett, and of the builder Mr. Dodson. The
collection at the morning service had been most satire
factory, amounting to £129, and this brought their
eubscriptions and collections to £l,7so—(applause),
Their estimate was at first El,BOO. He did not mean
to say but what they had ezoeschxl this • little; but at
the outside it would not be more than two. He
thought that was most satisfactory. In conclusion he
asked them to continue what they had begun so well,
and assist in wiping off this deficiency. He then pro-
posed "The health of the chairman," adding the
pleasure he felt at having the Mayor of the town to
preside over them—(opplaturs). —The Chairman briefly
responded, saying that it was a privilege as well as •
duty to assist in the good work of church enlsrgement
—(applause).—Mr. Teasley proposed "The health of the
chunthwardens.”—Mr. Frampton, in reply, alluded to
the fact of St. John's being the only ohm of worship
in Weymouth unregistered for marriages, and hoped
the day woe not far distant when all the young people
he saw around him would be married at their church
(laughter and applause). The company then separated.
A praise took pips in the evening, the sermon being
preached by the Rev. Alexander Bering• Gould, in.
enmbent of Macomb", Torquay, frogs St. John gal 17.
The marital part of the swain was as ender :—Psalms,
H.Mee (single); Cantata, Code (double); Dens
Hiaethatta. Beethoven (single); Anthem "1 wma
glad " (12,07); hymn before sermon, No. 250; hymn

close amounted to rt. The clergy
after aermoo, No. 147.—The aotleation mad. it the
who took part in the
I. l-view were about 50 in number, and the majority of
their names Sr. mentioned among thorns present at the
onoheon.