The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1866-09-04 00:00:00

WOOL

THE RE-OPENING OF WOOL CHURCH.
The restoration of churches in this diocese is now,
happily, no uncommon nocurrenos, and we can conceive
of his lordahip the bishop in • joyous mood antici•
paling the time when be ma, look around bin biatiopric
and be saii.fiel with the condition of the fabrics of the
whole of the churches; doubtlees the works which have
been completed during the past few years have tended
to bring nearer that hsppy period, still we feel that even
y•t much remains to be aocionspliahed before all our
churches can be said to be worthy of the holy purpoees
for which they are wet apart. Bat of this weave...tired
that if every Incumbent in the diocese were to act in the
miter as has the Bev. F. Newington, vicar of Comb..
K. ynee and perpetual curate of Wool, a glorious result
would speedily be wrought. It is not sic years ago
since be undertook the reiteration of the parish church
of t'ombe Keynes—one that had become a curiodty,
thong', a very sad one, from the very dilapidated state
into which it had been allowed to fall. The roof wive
so much decayed that the congregation, when a shower
of rain fell, hat to unfold their umbrella, for a protection
from the streams of water that percolated through it;
rifts in the smile were stuffed with bay and straw as a
protection from the elentinte; and the floor we. so
dilaildats ii that fern. and gram found their way through
the stints, and even Hoards and other createnAll crawled
*bolt the soared edifice. This was made one of the
prettie.t little •.llage churches in the district, and the in.
cumbert basins übieved so glorious • result in regard to
what was foimerly the mother church, looked sorrow.
tivon the deuy which was apparent in the fabric
of Wool church. But the lack of means, and the fact
that the generosity of Melds bad been greatly tested in
tl e matter of Combe Keynes church, with li. own in-
different healrb, led Hr. Newington to slay awhile, end
in the meantime, the dilapidation. of the edifies in-
creased epees.

The village of Wool la very pleasantly situated, and
Li. • papal dien of 590. The name is • corruption
of Well, whish designation is derived from • spring
which rises a short distance to the south of the
village, owe, through it, end rang into the ricer
Froine. Previmps to the foundation of Bindon Abbey,
Wool was • place of very small importance even as •
°dine. The abbey from the time of it, establishment
the great tithes, and continued to hold them
ri=pprowori. It was originally founded between
Hendon Lid and the sea pear West Lul worth, and it was
reefounded on its present site by Roger d° N°wbuirb'
subeepontiv to vehleh Wool rose into some note. When i
the Abbot. were wattered, the great tithes were trans.
fermi to the Weis family, in whose possession they have
been sent 'duce. Combo Kayos, and Wool formerly
eciostAuted one living, bet they were eeparated during
the bishopric' 01 theists prelate. and B. J. Weld, Fass., of
Low/011h Castle, ‘g the patron of both. The last pre-
sentation to Wool, however, in 1060, devolved upon the
Vice-Chaneellor sad Fellows of Oaford University, azd
the Kew. F. Ne•inliton wag appointed. The rev. swa-
tieman wse instituted vicar of Combs Keynes in the
Name year.
- - -

Holy Rood I. the name of the parish thumb of Word.
of..r.ntlY of but Sloan dimeo-
The original fabric teas e
giant, and there now remein of it two bey. which are
in the early English etyle of architecture, .1 built of
the red ...dike. queuried In the neighbouring heath.
Tbe pier and two haltpiere eompristng this interesting
of the eddiao aro reputed to hare be.,brought
part
the abbey Aurae at 'Radon, but we should thisk
It is far mart likely slot 'by wore trolood o. tb• model
of throe, as, doubtless, et Sb. period of their struirtare
tb• abbey was in exiseimme, for not yet bed Onisewed
sonneelled sad ferried into usaatioa postai sappini.

don of monastic houses throughout the country. In
the 15th century considerable addition, nod i i.prove-
meats were effected in the church, the work beiag
4one in Purbeck bur stone, and in mirly Perpendicular
etyle. 11 was :engthened one bayito the westward, the
tower was built, the chanoel we built and lengthened,
and an aide formed on the north of the chanoeL At
%bit period • Purbeck 'tone screen of three arches,
separated the nave from the chancel. The root
was weirgonehapid, and &meted with stone
Ate later este one side of the roof ems re•overed with
slate, and this toads the preature on the outer walls so
uneven that two fears sgo the one on the south ride heti
hi mime greatly oat of the perpendiettl.r. The danger
ariong from this cause constantly increased, and
twenty Months ago it became imperative to aloes
the church, and take steps for rectorial the fabric. Al
this time there was • gallery over the north aide, and
another at the weet end, whilo the nave wee filled with
high box pews. Altogether the state 0: the church was
, eniet anaati-factory,
I The incumbent with his excellent wife and Miss
Newington, andially astieted by the churchwardens,
Messrs. B. bly and Hide. now hesrtily devoted,
themselvi s to raising funds for the restoration and
enlargement of the church. Plena were prepared by
Ur. J. Hick., architect. of Dorchester, and Messrs.
Wellspring and 800, builders, werslantrusted with *be
work.

For nearly two years, &idol/ which time the building
has been in program, the church services bane been held
In the mthool-roons. lloabtlear to the pariabionera, the
waiting during the raisind of the new edifice hog been
sear) work, but it should be cennitlered how brief the
time occupied in It. structure has been tampered with
the ehurches built in former days. Now, however, they
midi* in its completion, and will appreciate its nom.
modiousneas and beauty the more for the inconvenience
they have long endured.
With the exception of the tower, and • portion of the
north wall, the edifice ban been re-built. As much,
however, as po-ailde of the old stone has been main
empl..yed, and where repairing has been needed it
has been, eff.oted with Perk. ek none and correspond
with the yr...ions work. In the re-building of shot-mi.,
walls Box stone dressings have been inserted, and the
new work in the interior has been executed in Conham
etone.

There are two entrances to the church, one on the
north side, and the ether on the south. A porch stands
at the former, white has be. n re-built, and the goatee-
foil which existed in the old one on tha met side has
been reinstated. Entering the sacred edifies we obeerve
generally that the prineipsl improvement. are that the
unsightly galleries have been removed, the high pews
have gives. place to low open seal& • south aisle has
been added, the body of the church has been lengthen. d
ea•tward, the chancel, of tionree, being advanced in that
direetioe by so doing, while it also has been extended.
The nave is 43 feet in length, and hes a north and
meth aisle, each of which is separated from the body of
the church by an arcade of four bays, two of those on
the north side being the Body English work before
referred to, end hands of the old Purbeck stone have
been introdu ed into the plena( the south arcade, while
local red eantietone him been sparingly employed in the
arches, which gives them a peculiar appearance. There
is a respond at the west end of the north arcade upon
ehich is carved • oinventionel thorn leaf, which is
very good in outline, though not so elaborately worked
es modern carving. The belies of the nave piers each
have bold foliage at the angles of the square plinth they
rest upon, which gives them a thoroughly finished
appearance; it is • common Mature, however, in Eerly
English work like the heath stone piers with which the
others are made to correspond. The removal of the
west gallery has displayed a perpendicular tower arch of
hdelsome nroinartions, the jeers of shieb have cape
caret cl with foliage similar to the respond in the arcade,
and also • large west window. Over em tower arch
is inecribed in illuminated old English characters the
text " I love them that love me, and they
that seek me early shall find me. " The roof
is composed of open timbers with circular
braced ribs in the nave resting upon Bail tome
ourbela, which are carved with natural foliage, vie, o•k
leaf, trefoil, passion dower, ivy, sant of whett be
Th em are excellently done, and reflect great e it on
the skill and taste of lb. Ormsby, of Dorabester. Tbe
aisle corbel& consist of 13th century heads carved in
Beth stone. Tbe body of the 'Much is lighted by three
aquare-beaded perpendicielae window, on each side, the
easternmost on the south being • new one, and by two
smaller windows of the game character inserted at the
east and west end of the new south aiele. These are all
filled with amber-tinted cethedral glees. The east mid
et the church has an uuusual and atnking Appearance.
The old chancel screen of three arches in Purbeck stone
hoe been reinstated. It is • very peculiar feature, in-
deed, we only know of one other church where item:aim,
and that is in Lent. The doxology to inscribed above
the three arches, In reereeting this screen a relieving
arch hae been skilfully introduced enclosing the three
bays, but we think • further improvement might be
effected if the tympanum were pierced, or elm was
relieved by a fresco. The higher arch has Insenbed
upon it in illuminated church text, "The places Whereon
thou Mandela is holy ground." In plass of the old
chancel aisle, a vestry and organ chamber have been
formed, underneath which is a hot air chamber, fitted
with on* of Gurney's stoves, and by a skilful arrange-
ment the cold air is drawn from the church, and hot
air introduced •t • grating in front of the chancel.
Poimerly the chanoel was of very small dimensions, but !
now it is IBit. in length and lift. 3m, brood. A hand-
some Perpendicular window has been inserted in the
odd end. This is fill dln with stained glees by Bell, of
Bristol. The quarries are ornamented with the Lily and
the ern s, and have coloured borders. In the centre
lidht there is • foliated panel with the Greek woes and
I INK! placed is the angles formed by the four arms,
' arid underneath this is the neared monogram, LH.C.
The light on the north side has • representation of the
pelican feeding her yowl from her breast, and that
on the meth Agnes Dm. In the treeery of the
head there are two angelic figures, bearing 'crone
with the invocation "By Thy mom and passion.'
This window his • moulded arch and splays, with
bems and carved caps, and has inscribed over it the
promise "By presence shall go with thee, and I will
give thee rest." There ie • credence on the north side,
and two lights have been insert, d in the south side of
the chancel, the lower part of the easternmost one form-
ing • sedtba. These windows have been filled with
diaphane repreeentiog passages in the life of our Saviour,
and are the work of the Rev. F. Newington during
weary hours of sickness. The texts over theas lihie
are—'. I cone to do Thy will, 0 God," and "Pease
on earth, goodwill towards men." Tbe whole of
the illumineted scrolls in the church were done
by the incumbent. The roof timbers of the chancel !
rest upon Bath stone corbels carved to represent &nests. '
The two easternmost ere in the attitude of adoratioo ;
those in the middle bear shields with sacred mono'
gray it in raised characters upon them, and the remain-
ing two ace also represented with shields, upon which
are placed tbe emblems of the Crucifixion—the crown
of thorns and the three nails upon one, and the five
wounds on the other. The shields have alternately
fields of vermillion and bins, and the monograms are
iu gold. The figure work in this church, which has
been Jointly done by Mr. Boulton, of Worcester, and
Kr. Ormsby of Dorchester, is moat beautiful, the belied
expression in each being exceedingly life-like. The
door of the chancel and aimed the aides in tbe body
of the church is laid with Poole tiles, black and red
alternately, but within the merarinto Gkidwin'senesuetie
tiles are tined, and the two steps leading to the holy
table are of Purbeck mazble with tile risers. The foot
pace of the sacrarium is lend with 'Majolica idea.
The furniture of the church is in good keeping with
the general characteristic' of the structure. The Bishop
with his usual kindness, presented the holy table,
which is vested with • exceedingly handsome altar cloth
compoeed of riot. red Utrecht velvet, upon the frontal
of which is a Grose and 1.H.8. creaked in bullion silk.
Amend the ruirarium there are dowel banging. of
maroon colour, figured with the seared monogram
sermonnted by • crown, raised in built., silk. The
prayer desk and chancel stalls are eared and perforated
with quailed. Ile The lectern is of oak, and in its front
a double triangle is pierced, and there is a quittrefoti on
each gide. The potpie onto be technically correct, the
&whom., for it is but • motion of • pulpit, is a hand-
some feature. It Is of Corsbam stone, and has been
exquisitely wrought by Mr. Graseby. It has • moulded
end bottlemenkd dormice, sad in the hollow immediately
underneeth it there is a sprig of passion flower. The
centre panel ciontains • moulded eosins piacia, inlaid
eith polished alabaster, upon which is formed in raielel
ohmmeters I. H.B. surmounted by • cross and crown.
Time epandrils are carved in natural foliage. In each
of the angles of the principal front there is a hollow
chamfer, containing • running sprig of lilies, and the
ponds right &ninon have each a quatrefoil Inlaid with
alabaster, and bear the letters Alpha and Omega. This
pulpit is greatly admired, and is • monument of the
skill of Mr. Gramby. A handsome perpendicular font,
which was formerly built partially into the last pier of
the north arcade at the western and, has been repaired
and pieced on the eastern side of the mom pier. Com-
modioun open seam have taken the elms of the old high
pews in the body of the chereb, formed of stained and
••rnkalivi arid, with oak top rail, and accommodation
is afforded fur 270 persons--76 more than the old chinch
would seat. In the tower several improvetneote have
been effected. The outer walls have been repointed, and
perforated stone inserted in the belfrey windows in piece
of the bricks that formerly filled those spates the
marriages of the fear hells which the tower contains have
been repaired, and a tinning door has been made pre-
viously the ringers did their work from the west gallery.
The churchyard which eras formerly very uneven, and
in some parts stood ootudiembly above the door-line,
has been levelled, a drip hollow which raistad at the
north-weatern corner has been filled up, amid the ground
has been slightly extended eastward; when the whole is
tette-it it will form &remoter, which will merit the com-
mendation of the Bishop, Wm, as is well known, desires
grimily to me our churchyards kept decently, and with
ears, as becomes the resting plumed' departed Christiana.
In removing the wall sees:sting the old channel from
the north aisle • etooe wan hound which ham posited the
•roliss doeiote It is eight arches square, and has a
cavity at ench of the four corners. These are supposed
to have contained the sacred cruets stied in the celebra-
tion of the Komish ma's, but for that only three would
be required, and the suggestion is that aim fourth con-
tained the holy malt. To these learned in such matters
we doubt not the incumbent would be glad to show the
stone. . . .

---
An organ, by Walker, of London, of very fair power
and too* for its sine, hai. been planed in lb* boy opening
out of the chancel on the north si a. Ills supplied wtth
five stops, via., open nod stop diapason, principal,
dukesna, said fifteenth. This has been obtained entirely
through the exertions of Mrs. and Miss Newington,
undated by friends, in giving amateur concerti indifferent
towns in tho county, and will, no doubt, prove a (rent
assistance in conducting decently and in order the
services of the church.

The coaescration took place last Tueedav morning by
the Bishop of Sarum, on which occasion • large number
of the oeighboorog clergy and laity assembled to rejoice
with the incumbent, churchwardens, and parishionert
on the oompletion of the work. On this 00M111011 the
summit of the tower was decorated with • AM. and the
villsaers bold hick festival. The iaterkw of the church
hod been very nicely decorated by on Newington and
Miss Burnard. The capital' of the nave piers were em-
ended with wreaths composed of dahlias and form, and
• spiral wreath of dowers and /olio(' was entwined
around the columns of the obanoel screen, the top of
each terminating at tie angles formed by the inscription
over the three arches. The blank appeatteace of the
tympanum above was skilfully relieved by two band-
soma velvet banners, with bullion Mae, es-
, bloomed with tenni Christian siablim, whisk wen

the work of Mims Newington. The reredos had &string
worse of Slaking and , from the centre of
which rose a large La woes composed of scarlet
geraniums, sod Use gamed stalls were dected with
emblems of eternity. The top of the foot was deco-
rated with flowers laid upon moss, and from the middle
of the bowl there rose a pretty cress formed of ...iota
flowers.

.
The Bishop of the diocese arrived the previous even-
ing and was the guest of Major Frampton. Tis open•
ins 'trete* commenced at It a.m. A proceuron of
clergy was formed at the parsonage, including the
Bishop, Precentor Lear (Canoe of Sarum). the Vener-
able Arohdescon Ssectoary, T. Bro4riek, Evq. (Drocesan
Registrarl, the Rev. T. Baker (Bishop's Chulsin), F.
Newington (the incumbent), J. Honui (curate), W. C.
Frampton, of Moreton, Prehendat7 N. Bond, of Steeple.
P. H. Bond, of Marlborough Crammer School. J. It.
Cree, of Owermoigne, J. Creel, of Clialdon Rennie, J.
Watts, of Tarrant Guhville, .1. H. Austen, of Tarrant
Revision, G. H. Marriott, of Trowbridge, W. lEsadall,
oi Rut Lulworth, W. J. P. Pope. of Osnrington,
R. Cape', of Wsrebatn, H. Capel. Sir JAL Philippe
but., of Garrington, Tregarthen, J. D. C. Wickham.
of Blandford, J. W. Cattle, of Dewliah,
Coombe, of Canford, W. Trued!, of tits**,
R. Weldy, of Affouddle, C. R. W. Wald,. of Guam's
All Saints, E. 8. Betakes, of Corte Castle, G. P. G.
C,esserat, of Winfrith, V. D. Vyvvan, of Broadhinton.
M. .1. Green. of Winterborne Abbas, Ff. Davis, of
Tarrant Monkton, de. On arriving at the church the
petition for consecration was presented by the incum-
bent sod church wa7dses. The snored edifice was at
this time completely filled, and an introductory colon'
1 lacy by Himmel had been played by Miss Newington
who presided at the organ. As the bish-p and clergy
entered the oh .rch the choir ournmenied sin.ring the
processional psalm XII/. to Ores, When they had
1 taken their seats in or near the °lmpost, tbe
form of consecration observed in this diocese was pro-
ceeded with. In the absence of Sir R. .T.
Chancellor of the diocese, the sentence of eonsseration
wu read by the Von. A rehda.oon Sanctuary, front which
we learn that the chancel ha. bees extended into Us*
churchyard eastward, 12 It. 10 is,, sad that the extreme
length of the building inside the well. is 79 feet, and its
extreme breadth 35 feet. The deed was signed by the
Bishop, and his lordship directed its; enrolment by the
liegi.trar. Morning prayers were reed by the Rev. F.
Newington, the first lesson by the 1t.,. Prebendary
Bond, and the second by the Rev. W. C. Frampton.
The musical genie., excellently led by the village choir,
was as follows Venite, Purcell; Ts Deem; Turner;
Jubilate, Aloook ; Ist hymn "Lo God is here,' Holy
Trinity; 2nd hymn, "Praise the Lord," All. Vesta
Trinits ; Hyde, Tower.
After morning proyess the Rev. V. D. Vyryse, clerk,
was instituted to the vinare& of Firoadhinton, Wilts,
void by the death of the Rev. W. Cookson, on the pre-
isolation of the master and brethren of St. Nicholas
Hospital, Sarum.
The Bishop officiated at the Holy Communion, and
the epistle was read by the Rev. Talbot Baker, and
the gospel by Precentor Lear.
flu lordship preached the sermon from 2 Cor. lii, I,
founding upon that text an argumentative discourse
us to the diatinction between the ministry of the I.w
sad that of the gospel, a subject which he said stood in
the closet relation to the completion of that good work
they wera(met to celebrate.
Ituring the reading of the offertory sentenoes by the
Fliettep the alms of the congregation were collected by
church eardena, and amounted to £4B 15s, 84. As part
of the congregstion left the charch, a voluntary by
Schubert was played by Mies Newington, The Holy
Communion mu than celebrated when a goodly number
of clergy and laity pvrtook of the sacrament.
Alter romping service a large party sat down to
luncheon in a marquee erected in a field belonging to
Mrs. Hide, of Springfield Cottage. Mr. May, of the
Black Bear, was the enterer, and he provided most
sari.futorile Amongst the laity present, we '
mei :—Lady Catherine Hamilton, Captain Ku.sell,
G. Bond, Req., Mrs. Bond, Miss Bond, N. Bond. Esq..
K. Bond, Esq., Mrs. Frampton, Major- and Mrs. Wood,
Miss Lear, Mr., Mrs. and Miss 'Cruel!, Mrs. and Miss
Featherstonhaugh, Mrs. Talbot Baker, Mies Blencows,
Dr. and Mrs. Ekren Hawkins, Mrs. A. Cosens, Mies
Redd's, Mrs. Wynn, Mr. and Mrs. J. Hicks, Mrs. T.
'comb.. Mile Coombs, Miss All.. Coombe, Miss Edith
Stone, Mies Boyce, Mr., and BIN Roman, Mr. .7. Warne,
Mrs. and Mies Addison, Mrs. Tregarthen, Mira
Austen. ker. _

At tge conclusion, the Bishop'proposed the health of
the Rev. F. Newington, the churchwardens, and Major
Frampton, congnitulsting ell very heartily on the moor-
silos and enlargement of the church. His lord.hip
read a letter from a parishioner which weal presented at
the offertory. The entiosure was a ehe9ne for 1:20
which the writer wished to be applied either to the
purchase of an organ or to the restoration fund,
as to the incumbent in his discretion might
seem meet. His lordship here interpolated that
with such schuirable ...login as they had heard that
morning, he did not think any organ was reclaim'.
He was not much of a judge of music himself,
bat he appealed to the Precentor of Salisbury cathedral,
if the singing was not good, and he went on, he (the
Precentor) assent. to Mast at once. The Bishop pro-
aided to read that the writer of the letter felt
ibis the parishioners were greatly indebted to
their clergyman for his indefatigabtlity as evidenced
by the way he had obtained funds for the work
now finished, and imprinted • hope that he (the
Rev. F. Newington) might be endowed with improved
health, and that hi. lile might long he spared to exercise
his ministerial functions in the newly erected Wilco—
(applause). His lordship added, all he was sure
would cordially join with himself In that good
hope and none more cordially than Mrs. Framp-
ton and Mr. Frampton if he were present, and he was
sati.fied that unless Kr. Frampton and others had given
their help, Mr. Newington would not have been able
to °eery out this work to so successful an bane—
(appl.nse).—The incumbent, Mr. Churchwanlen Sly,
and the Rev. Prebendary Bond responded—the latter
for Mr. and Mrs. Frampton, and he took occasion to
compliment the architect and builders on the character
.4 the work Amis.—The Bishop then gave the health ot
Mns. sad Miss Newington and the ladies, somplimenting
them especially on tie singing during the servioe.— foe
Mae, F. Nes ington responded on their behalf. —The
Rev. Prebendary Bond proposed the Bishop's health,
which his lordship arknoidedged.—Grace was then said
by the Bishop, and the party separated.
I, the afternoon service wa, held in the church,
when the prayers were redid by the Be.. J. Horan,
curate, the lessons by the Incunilient, and the sermon
was preached by Precentor Lear. The collection
amounted to £3

The total coat of the restoration sad enlargement is
upwards of £1,400, and we are glad to learn that there
ooly remains to be obtained • sent of about £3O, which
it is to be hoped will be speedily gut, le that the Incum-
bent way be able to eni.y the Denim of hi, anxious
efforts without anything to mar his pleasure.