5th October 1929 SA
RESTORATION OF SANDON CHURCH CHANCEL
Discovery of Ancient Mural Paintings
An exceedingly interesting and difficult piece of architectural work has just been successfully completed in All Saints’ Church, Sandon, near Stafford, where the chancel has been restored as an act of thanksgiving, and as a war memorial. The scheme was undertaken on the initiative of the Earl and Countess of Harrowby, his Lordship being lay rector of the parish, and the dedication ceremony was performed by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Lichfield (the Right Rev. Dr. J.A. Kempthorne) on Sunday morning (the feast of St. Michael and All Angels) in the presence of a large congregation.
The main interior of this ancient little church, which is in the park, secluded from the main road, has recently been renovated, and the work done in the chancel was the outcome of a happy idea of the part of Lord and Lady Harrowby to effect a much needed improvement, and at the same time to serve a triple purpose—an act of thanksgiving for the safe return home from the war of their son, Viscount Sandon, a memorial to the late Viscount Hambleden, only brother of Lady Harrowby, and also to the late Major the Hon. R.N.D. Ryder, and the men of Sandon, who fell in the Great War.
Chancel Roof Improvement
The chief feature of the restoration work has been the raising of the chancel roof to its original height, the removal of the old oaken staircase leading to the Harrowby family pew, which is located immediately in front of the chancel and its replacement by a stone staircase leading from the vestry. The low ceiling of plaster, which was slightly arched over and came to the front of Harrowby pew has been replaced by an English oak bridge across below the tie beams, with curved sweeps which rest upon the line of the original ceiling. The timber has been utilised in its natural state without treatment. The effect of distance and spaciousness which the new roof gives to the chancel is very pleasing, especially when viewed from the west end of the church, and it also throws into relief the Harrowby pew, the front of which has been enriched by the addition of miniature carved figures of the four Evangelists—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, designed by Mr. W.D. Caroe, the well-known ecclesiastical architect.
The alterations at the base of the pew on the vestry side necessitated the cutting through in two places of the chancel wall 2ft. 6in. in thickness, and the removal of the George Digby tomb of marble from the centre to the south wall of the chancel. The brickwork in the wall, against which the pew staircase ran, has been replaced by a new arch of Hollington stone, and the exterior faced with plain ashlar. Necessary alterations have been made to the Digby tomb, the cornice and slab on one side having been removed and placed against the wall, whilst the black marble step has been placed in front of the altar rails. The reredos has been completely restored, and old oak substituted for the woodwork, which was mainly deal, this being carried out by Ernest Rollett, one of the estate employees.
The following inscription carved and painted in gilt and colour is to be affixed on the side of the Harrowby pew facing the altar:—“The restoration of this chancel is dedicated by John Herbert Dudley, 5th Earl of Harrowby, and Mabel Danvers, his wife, in profound thanksgiving to Almighty God for the life spared of their only son, Major Viscount Sandon, R.F.A. (T.F.) through the Great war, and for the life and example of their only brother, William Frederick Danvers, the 2nd Viscount Hambleden, who died on the 16th June, 1928: also in memory of Major the Hon. Robert N.D. Ryder, 8th Hussars, and of the men of Sandon, who made the supreme sacrifice.” On either side is a coat of arms, and also one in the centre with the date “1929,” while underneath are the texts, “The path of the just is as the shining light.” “And all the trumpets sounded for them on the other side.”
Genealogical Tree in Heraldic Paintings
Great interest has been lent to the restoration work in the chancel by the discovery of some remarkable heraldic paintings on the walls, disclosed when the plaster was taken off. These have already been noted in the “Staffordshire Advertiser,” and are believed to be the work of Sampson Erdeswicke, the Staffs. antiquarian and historian, who began his survey of the county about 1593, and died at Sandon in 1603. The paintings on the south wall show a genealogical tree of the Erdeswicke family, and on either side of Sampson Erdeswicke’s monumental tomb are paintings and windows adorned with heraldic shields. The Vicar (the Rev. F.E. Copleston) who has taken a keen interest in the work, informed our representative that these mural paintings and the whole of the monuments form part of a complete scheme of heraldic decoration, which, together with the glass in the chancel windows, traces the descent of the land of the manor of Sandon back to the time of the Norman Conquest. The Erdeswicke monument, which is to be renovated, contains the key to the wall decoration. The Vicar described the heraldic scheme as being, if not unique, probably the most ambitious of the kind ever undertaken. The female line in one case can be traced back to Edward the Outlaw, son of Edward Ironside.
The whole of the restoration work has been carried out with great skill and care by Messrs. G. Sandy and Co., builders, of Stafford, who, with the Architect (Mr. Caroe) are to be congratulated on the successful completion of a difficult job. Mr. G. Sandy, the head of the firm, personally superintended the work, and devoted a great amount of time and trouble to it. As an instance, it may be mentioned that much care had to be exercised in taking off the plaster covering the wall paintings, the colouring of which in parts is exceedingly well preserved, despite numerous trowel marks. Professor Tristram, the leading authority on heraldic art, who is now engaged on similar work at Westminster Abbey, and has undertaken to restore the Sandon paintings, has expressed his personal satisfaction at the way in which the exterior covering was removed.
Among other improvements carried out at the church is the provision of two new oak doors at the main entrance. These were designed by Bridgeman’s of Lichfield, and were the gift of an anonymous donor. They bear the initials of the present churchwardens—Messrs. J. H. Cadman and H. Bentley, with “1929” in the centre panel. A new vestry door of oak has been given by Mrs. Lindop in memory of her husband, the late Mr. T.S. Lindop, who was for many years churchwarden. Mrs. Ernest Bridgeman was the donor of a new sanctuary carpet.
The two ancient fonts have been moved, the Norman one being restored to its former position near the main entrance and the Jacobean one placed in the north aisle in place of some box pews left at the previous restoration.
The Dedication Service
The service at the dedication festival was conducted by the Vicar of Sandon (the Rev. F.E. Copleston). Among those in the Harrowby pew were the Earl and Countess of Harrowby, Viscount and Viscountess Sandon and their three children, Lady Margaret Ryder, the Dowager, Lady Hambleden, Viscount and Viscountess Hambleden, and other members of both families. The Sandon troops of Boys Scouts and Girl Guides, in charge of Mr. Titterton and Miss Bennett, attended the service. The Second Lesson from Ephesians was read by Viscount Sandon. Appropriate Psalms, canticles, and hymns were sung, Mr. John Wright presiding at the organ. At the conclusion of the dedication ceremony, “Immortal, invisible God, only wise” from the English hymnal, was sung.
The Bishop on Service and Worship
The Bishop gave an eloquent and appropriate address, based on Matthew vi., --“Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” He said it was a very happy thing that the dedication of what was now a very beautiful chancel should coincide with the festival of the Holy Angels, for which they were thankful to God. He dwelt on the ministry of the angels, and said he could not help thinking that some of the old artists who had represented angels to us in pictures or painted windows had done us rather poor service by their representation of angels as somewhat weak beings. Some of these representations were beautiful and so far helped us, and some were certainly not beautiful. Angels, of course, were heavenly beings: they would have no bodies, and any representation of them must be pure imagination. But of this we were quite sure, that they did give us an example of holy, faithful, truthful service. Great and wonderful as the angels must be, our human nature was, in one respect, even greater and more wonderful, because when the Eternal Son of God came to this world he took upon him not the nature of the angels but our poor human nature.
Continuing, Dr. Kempthorne said if there was one thing they needed, each of them, as children of God and collectively as a church organisation, it was a clear and pure vision of God in His holiness, wisdom, and love. Quoting the words “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” the Bishop said he sometimes thought that we were in danger of perishing because our vision was so dim and sometimes so false. It really did matter intensely that we should think rightly and truly about God. Let them pray that they might have a clear understanding, a right outlook, and a large-hearted sympathy. If we were to do God’s will on earth as it was done in Heaven we must worship God. This was the antidote to the materialism, which was the enemy of our day. Without that there would be a great deal of activity, but it would be fussy, self-centred, and ineffective, because it would lack the dignity and the truth of life that came when we worshipped God. Therefore he rejoiced with all his heart for the munificent gift of that restored chancel. There was a great difference between Sandon church to-day and Sandon church as it was a year ago. There was now a beauty and dignity about that House of Prayer, and it was right that they should worship in the beauty of holiness. The outward beauty helped a great deal to the inward holiness.
Tribute to Viscount Hambleden
Alluding to the sacrifices made by the country in the Great War, Dr. Kempthorne said he still believed that we did right in 1914, when we made the tremendous choice and went into battle. He believed that we chose the lesser of two evils. We could not have refused to enter the war without being accused of cowardice and unworthiness, and therefore we rejoiced with the spirit of the men who fought cleanly and bravely, and made wonderful self-sacrifices. It was right for them to bear in mind that the restored chancel should be an act of thanksgiving to God for sparing the life of one who had earned for years the respect and affection of the people of Sandon. Also it was right that it should be a memorial to Major Ryder and the men of the village who gave their lives in the war. “There is a need of the soldierly qualities of courage, loyalty, discipline, service and, if need be, Self-sacrifice,” said Dr. Kempthorne. “As I say, the warfare against evil goes on, and you and I cannot fight it if we are cowards; if we think of our safety and personal interests. Service, willing, cheerful, helpful service is the badge of all who call themselves by the name of Christ. Here we have a notable example of cheerful, willing, helpful service in the man in whose memory especially the restored chancel was dedicated—Viscount Hambleden. He was a great man of business. He understood perfectly well that business was not mere money-making. He regarded business rightly as a service to one’s fellows, and those who knew him well remarked that in the conduct of that enormous business, which employed a large number of men and women, he did not think so much about the profits as about the welfare of the staff who co-operated with him in his work. We should not have the industrial difficulties of the present time if in every business those who were mainly responsible thought first and foremost of the welfare of those who worked with and under them. Again, another who knew Viscount Hambleden well had written that he regarded his money as a trust to be used well, and he used it well, as witness King’s College Hospital, in the South of London, and King’s College itself, which received munificent help from him. More than that, there was his character the character of a man who never loved the limelight: and who, therefore, perhaps had not been so well known as his character and work certainly deserved. Indeed, if it came to that, I do not think he would be pleased if I were to use words of deserved praise of him. But here are some testimonies from some of those in closest contact with him. He never advertised himself. He did good work quietly, without seeking to be known. His faith radiated his whole life and was the genuine touchstone of his conduct. It is men like him who are the real salt of this country of ours—not the men who make a great fuss or who advertise themselves, not the men always pushing to the front and seeking above all to have a great reputation, but men who are out quietly to do their service for God and their fellows. Some, like Viscount Hambleden, have great opportunities: and some, like us, have little opportunities for great service: but we have the chance, each one of us, of serving in the home, where we work, among our friends. But we shall never forget our good fight—and we have to fight it—and never give our good service unless we seek to find something of the vision of God in the vision of Jesus Christ, and offer to Him faithful and reverent worship.
During the singing of the hymn “How bright those glorious spirits shine,” an offertory was taken for the Bishop’s Appeal Fund, and the service concluded with a shortened Te Deum and the Blessing.
© Successor rightsholder unknown. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD
