|  
 |  
 
Gentleman's Magazine 1849 part 1 p.258 
  
wainscot behind the altar extends across the entire width of 
the chancel; it is divided into nine narrow, upright,  
square-headed panels, containing cinquefoiled arches, with  
trefoils in the corners, and is surmounted by an architrave  
embattled on its upper edge. The middle panel, which is of a 
purple diapered ground, bordered by a broad illuminated  
edging of oak and vine leaves, following the course of the  
arch, contains a cross flory, highly emblazoned in gold and  
colours, within whose radiated centre is displayed the  
sacred monogram, I.H.S. surrounded by a white and gold  
circle, on which is painted in black and rubricated letters  
this sentence, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away  
the Sin of the World." The two next panels on each side,  
within similar enriched borders surrounding white grounds,  
contain the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Commandments  
in black letters, with rubricated illuminated capitals and  
other illuminations. The remaining compartments are without  
ornament. 
  
The pulpit and reading pew are features of the interior  
which add much to its general effect, and cannot but of  
themselves attract admiration. 
  
The latter is a little elevated, and placed near the north  
pier, at the junction of nave and chancel. It is an  
irregular pentagon of handsome Gothic design. Light pillars, 
which rise from an appropriate base, support cinquefoil  
arches, that form small open panels; above which the  
book-board rests: and beneath, springing from the west,  
south-west, and south sides, are the half-length figures and 
heads of the four Evangelists, each holding before it a  
shield, on which is carved the emblem symbolic of the holy  
man. The other sides of the pew are void of adornment. 
  
The pulpit, which is hexagonal, is of good shape and  
expression. It stands near the south pier, at the separation 
of the nave and chancel, and on a line with the reading pew, 
thus keeping up architectural symmetry. It terminates in a  
single pedestal of similar form, that rests upon a plinth of 
the same design. The sides are paneled, and enriched with  
sunken pointed cinquefoil arches, that rise from small  
circular pillars; and above them the shelf or book-board  
supports an eagle with expanded wiings. The cushions and  
draperies, like those in the reading pew, are of  
murrey-coloured velvet. 
  
The organ, which was likewise the gift of Mr. Stanger, and  
the singers' gallery, occupy the west end of the nave, and  
conceal the west window and lofty arch, which opens from the 
tower into the nave, thus giving occasion for regret that  
the ancient arrangement of leaving the entire space of the  
tower, nave, and chancel clear to the view has not been  
adhered to. Was this beautiful arch restored and thrown  
open, the whole character of the interior would be greatly  
improved; and, though in this particular case the  
obstructions have been made as inoffensive as could possibly 
be, yet it might have been more desirable, with due regard  
to architectonic expression and effect, not to have closed  
up the arch, or admitted a gallery before it at all. 
  
The font, displaced from its ancient symbolical position  
near the door, stands a little towards the north side of the 
west end of the nave, and immediately below the gallery. It  
is of stone, about four feet high, and has a pyramidal cover 
of deal, painted to look like oak. Through the efflux of  
time and much rough usage it is partially defaced, and  
further disfigured by continuous applications of lime and  
white paint. The head, which is octagonal, rests upon a  
stem, whose lower portion is of similar shape, though the  
upper part is quadrangular, and it rises from an incline  
placed upon a square base. The four sides of the incline  
have each had carving of some grotesque figure, now all but  
obliterated; and beneath the head are four other sculptures, 
all likewise so much mutilated as not to be defined, but  
whose position, exactly over the sculptures at the base,  
cause them to be regarded as having been the capitals of  
four small columns, that afforded further ornamental support 
to the overhaninging head. Seven of the faces of the lower  
part of the stem are ornamented in high relief with carvings 
of windows of the Decorated period of architecture, of three 
lights each; and the remaining face is carved in the same  
bold manner, top represent a window 
  
 |