The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-09-18 00:00:00

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

IL:

The Catholic Church, of this town which was
built eleven years ago, at a cost of about £4,000,
has been recently beautifully decorated, and its
interior otherwise embellished by the addition of
some magnificent stone carving. The church was
built from a design by the celebrated architect,
Mr. Pugin, who shortly before his death designed
a reredos for it, the execution of which forms a
very prominent feature in the improvements. As
a matter of course, the principal *portion of the
improvements are contained in the chancel, in
which has been placed a stone altar, supported by
four marble pillars. Over the tabernacle is the
reredos above-mentioned, which is a splendidly
executed piece of sculpture. In the centre are
the figures of three angels under a delicately
chiselled Gothic canopy. Two of them are swing-
ing censors (the emblem of prayer) whilst the
third has his hands spread over them as if in the
act of benediction. The countenances of all three
bear a divinely sweet and pure expression. The
canopy is supported by small marble pillars. On
the left side of this is a figure of St. Paul, whilst
on the right, with a sword transfixing the back of
his head, is that renowned English prelate, St.
Thomas A'Beeket, of Canterbury. Next to these
again are two groups of figures designed to repre-
sent the eminent characters of the old Mosaic
dispensation, and those of the early. Christian era.
For the /atter are 6t. Augustine, St. Jerome, St.
Ambrose, and St. Gregory the Great; whilst for
the former are Moses and the Prophets. On the
front of the altar is a carved representation of the
"Annunciation," the Angel Gabriel being repre-
sented as bowing low to the Virgin Mary, as he
addresses her with "Hail, full of grace," whilst
the latter is reverentially engaged in prayer. Over
the pillars on either side of the nave are small
figures, representing angels, saints, &c. The rose
window of the chancel has been filled with stained
glass, which adds much to the beauty of the inte-
rior. The outer •cinquefoils, twelve in number,
contain three figures in each compartment, repre-
sentative of the different members of the Church
of God from Abraham down to modern times; the
twelve spandrils have twelve angels with censors;
and in the centre is the Virgin and Holy Child.
roof is beautifully painted in alternate panels
some with lilies, and the others having a crown
with a Gothic "M," underneath it. The side walls
Are covered with representations of cherubim, with
flaming tongues on their heads. The Lady and
• St. Joseph's Chapels which are on either side of
the chancel have also been newly painted and de-
corated. The stonework has been executed by
Mr. Boulton, of Cheltenham, and it will add con-
siderably to the reputation this firm have already
attained in their particular line of business. The
stained glass window, and the decorating and
painting of the church has been entrusted to that
well-known firm, Messrs. Hardman and Co., of
Birmingham, and leaves nothing to be desired.
We believe we do not exaggerate when we state
that the church as it is now is one of the very
prettiest structures of its kind in the United King-
dom, and speaks highly forth° indomitable energy
and perseverance displayed by the Pastor, the Rev.
W. Keen, in getting together sufficient funds for
such an enterprise. The total cost of the present
improvements has been about £l,lOO which has
been raised chiefly by the generosity of members
of the congregation. On Sunday last the Church
was formally re-opened for the first time after the
completion of the work, and in the morning there
was a solemn High Mass, at which the sermon
was preached by the Rev. Canon Northcote, D.p.,
president of St. Mary's College, Oseott; and in the
evening the sermon was preached by the &v. J.
Me'Cave, D.D„ of Kidderminster. On both oc-
casions there were laige attendances, and over.R4o
were realised by the collections, &c.

' THE • LYE.. .
A WIFE BEATER.-At the Police, Court, at Stour-
bridge, yesterday, John Billingham was charged
with assaulting his wife, Eliza, on! the 14th inst.
Defendant pleaded guilty. Police-constable Payn-
-ter said from information received he found the
defendant beating, his wife: Defendant struck
her several times, and he locked him Up. The
wife also gave evidence, and said that when de-
fendant was Bober he was _a good husband, and
hoped the Bence would be lenient with him. De-
4apdant promised to be better in future, and he
wit's bound over to keep the peace for six months.
CILARUE OF Gemnio.--John Cox and Elijah
Cartwright were charged with gaming on the
highway, on the 11th inst. Police-constable Moy-
land proved the case. Fined 3s each.
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