Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1892-08-19


ing the hnrbor. Apart from the inter
this steeple has an individual history Of
its own, for on the night of April 10,
1775, the two lanterns which started
Paul Revere on his famous ride to Lex
ington were displayed from Its upper
windows. Christ Church was the Sec
ond to BIO erected in the city, being
built six years before the famous Old
South, and its architectural beauty was
highly praised, being regarded as one of
the ornamental structures Of the North
end. 1t was erected in 1928, the archi-
lecture being of the type common
throughout New England at that period.
Both interior and exterior are severely
plain and monotonous, the tower alone
possessing any claim to architectural
beauty.
The original steeplc, 1872 feet in
height, was built after designs by one
Charles Rul6nch, but it toppied over in
the great gale of 1904, falling upon
wooden building on Tileston street.
through which it crashed, fortunately
without injury to the inmates. The
new tower, sixteen feet less in height,
was erected by Joseph Tucker.
The superb chime of eight bells was
from the foundry of Abel Rudhall, of
Gloucester, whose bells are heard through
out England, aud were the first chimes
sent to America from this celebrated
foundry. The subscription for these
chimes was started by John Hammock
and Robert Temple, wardens of the
church, in 1743, and was completed by
Robert Jenkins and John Gould, also
wardens, the following year. The chime
was obtained by DR.. Cutler and conse-
Grated in England. Popular supersti-
ton ut the time invested the bells with
The largest bell weighs 1545 and the
smallest $40 pounds, the aggregate
weight being 7272 pounds. The bells
were hung in the old steeple in 1744,
and were the first to be heard in Boston.
Each bell has q unique inscription as
follows:
FIRST BELL.
This peal OF eight bells is the gift OF a
number of generous persons to Christ Chuch,
in Boston, n. T.. Ammo 1744. A. r.
SECOND BELL.
This church was founded in the year 1928.
Timothy Cutler, D. d. tho first rector. A.
r. 1928.
THIRD BELL.
We are the first ring of bells cas-. for tho
British Empire in North America. a. r.
1744.
FOURTH BILL.
God preserve the Church of England
1144.
FIFTH BELL.
William Shirley, Esq, Governor OF Mas
EaChusetts Raw N Nexv ENGLAND Ammo
1744
SIXTH BELL.
The subscription for these bells was begun
by John Hammock and Robert Temple
church wardens ammo 1143; completed by
Robert Jenkins and John Gould, church
wardens, ammo 1144.
SEVENTH BELL.
Since generosity has opened our mouths,
our tongues shall ring alout its praise. 1744.
EIGHTH BELL.
Abel Rudhall, of Gloucester, cast us all.
Ammo 1T44.
These bells have been rung Mt certain
hours on week days, according to pro-
vincial custom, the hours for Christ
Church being 5, and 8 o'clock. John
Roulstone rang the old South bells at 5,
l and 8; the new South bells were rung
by John Ranstead at II, and 8.
Everything about the old church is
stately, stiff and solemn; the pews are
high, straight. backed and uncomfortable.
Around the pulpit is a gilded cluster of
feathers, like Corinthian capital. The
walls are unusually solid, being two and
a half feet thick, and the bricks are laid
in the English bond style, of which few
examples remain. Some alterations have
been made in the interior, but the many
distinctive features which make Christ
Church notable example of early
church architecture remain.
The ancient chandeliers were pre-
sented by Captain Gruchy, and were
trophies of war taken from French YES
sci conveying them to foreign cathe-
oral. This Captain Gruchy was native
of the Island of Jersey. Duringthe war
between England and France his priva-
teers captured stray merchantmen, which
were either sent to Boston aud sold or
destroyed at sea, while the booty was car
ried to the Captains mansion through
an arch of brick leading up from the
wharf in front of the residence. The
entrance to this tunnel and the boats
lying there were cleverly concealed bya
dock built over the entrance, an d the
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