Chapter V: Chester Cathedral (2)

In this church are several monuments well worthy the attention of the visitor. Amongst these is one to the memory of Thomas Gamul, Recorder of Chester, who died in 1613. The deceased is represented in a recumbent posture, with his wife on his right hand, and his only son in the attitude of prayer at his knee: on the side of the tomb his three daughters, who died in infancy, holding skeletons in their hands. The statues of this monument are of alabaster. Another to the memory of Philip Oldfield, of Bradwell, who died in 1616, represents him in the costume of that age, leaning on his right side, with a roll of parchment in his hand. The slab is supported by kneeling figures of his four sons, with their hands upon their sword hilts: at the head are figures of his two daughters bearing shields. In the north aisle are tablets to the memory of different members of the family of Holmes, the celebrated antiquaries. Of this family, four successively bore the name of Randle. The first, who was Sheriff of Chester in 1615, and Mayor in 1633, died in 1654; the second was Mayor of Chester in 1643, and died in 1659; the third, author of the ‘Academic Armoury,’ was gentleman sewer to Charles the Second, and Deputy Garter King of Arms, and died in 1699; and the fourth was Deputy Norroy King of Arms, and died in 1707. Of these four Randle Holmes, the second and third were the celebrated antiquarian collectors; and there are some compilations of a similar nature, brought down to 1704, by the last. Several stained-glass windows have lately been introduced, the principal ones consisting of a memorial in honour of the heroes of the 23rd regiment of Welsh Fusiliers, who fell at the battle of the Alma in the Russian war: and another to the memory of the late rector, the Rev. W. H. Massie, who was universally beloved, and who effected great improvements in the church and parish.

St. Mary’s is a rectory, in the gift of the Marquis of Westminster. The present rector is the Rev. C. Boween, M.A.

There are Sunday evening lectures in this church, under the patronage of the Bishop of the diocese. They are supported by annual subscriptions, aided by collections in the church.

ST. BRIDGET’S CHURCH.

The old church of St. Bridget, or St. Bride (now removed), was situate on the west side of Bridge-street, exactly opposite to St. Michael’s. There exists no correct data on which to ascertain the time of its foundation, which tradition attributes to Offa, King of Mercia, who reigned in the end of the eighth century, about which time we are told that several churches were founded in Chester. There is, however, clear evidence, from writings among the Harleian MSS., that in the twelfth century the patronage of this church belonged to the Lords of Aldford, by one of whom, in 1224, it was quitclaimed to Randle Blundeville. From another writing it appears that, in 1265, Simon, Abbot of St. Werburgh, in consideration of certain grants and donations, made to him by Bertram de Arneway, bound himself to maintain a chaplain to say mass for the soul of John Arneway, before the altar of the Virgin in St. Bridget’s Church. This church was formerly surrounded by a wall, which encroached considerably upon Bridge-street, and the ground between this wall and the church was used as a burying-place; but in 1785 the bodies were removed to a piece of ground on the south of the church, and the street widened. The church walls were refaced with freestone, and other repairs made at the same time. A gateway formerly crossed the street between St. Bridget’s and St. Michael’s churches, dividing higher from lower Bridge-street. The old church of St. Bridget was taken down in 1827, under the provisions of the New Bridge Act, in order to improve the approach into the city, and the new church was erected on the north-west side of the castle. The ceremony of laying the foundation stone was performed by the Right Rev. C. J. Blomfield, then Lord Bishop of the diocese. The length is about 90 feet, and the width 50, and the church is calculated to contain 1,000 persons. “It is rather a remarkable circumstance,” says Hemingway, “that although St. Bridget’s parish is wholly within the city, the ground occupied by the church and cemetery is neither within the parish nor the city, but altogether within the county palatine; but by a clause in the act, it is enacted, that after the consecration, it shall ‘for all purposes, and to all intents whatsoever, be deemed part of, and situated within the said parish of St. Bridget, and within the said city of Chester.’”

The Rev. G. Salt, M.A., is the present incumbent.

ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH

is situate on the east side of Bridge-street, opposite the end of Grosvenor-street, leading to the New Bridge. The time of its foundation is uncertain, but it is supposed to have been connected with the Monastery of St. Michael, which was given to the priory of Norton by Roger de Lacy in a charter, subsequently confirmed by Henry the Second; it is recorded by Bradshaw, that “the Monastery of St. Michael was burnt by the great fire which happened on Mid-Lent Sunday in 1118, at eight of the clock (all being in church), and consumed the greatest part of the city.” It is conjectured that this monastery was situated in Bridge-street, in Rock’s-court, where, Dr. Williamson says, “before it was converted into dwelling houses, one might have beheld fair, churchlike windows, and other demonstrations of its being part of a religious house.” The chancel was rebuilt in 1496, and enlarged in 1678. The old steeple, which was built in 1710, having fallen into decay, from the perishable nature of the red sandstone, was taken down in 1849, and the present handsome structure, built with white stone, was erected in its place. The south, east, and a portion of the north walls of the church having also been found to be in a very defective state, they were taken down in 1850; in fact, the church has been almost entirely rebuilt, as none of the old walls remain, except the three internal arches, and a part of the north wall. The flat ceiling has been removed, but the nave and chancel roofs being principally constructed of oak, and in a good state of preservation, have been retained; they have, however, been re-slated. The north chancel has been entirely rebuilt and new roofed. The north aisle of the nave is divided from the body of the church by three pointed arches springing from octagonal columns, the capitals being ornamented with quatrefoils. The interior of the old building was very inconvenient, unsightly, and dilapidated, but it is now completely restored in proper ecclesiastical style. The chancel is paved with beautiful tiles, those within the communion rails being liberally given by Mr. Minton. Each compartment of the five chancel windows is surrounded with a neat border of stained glass. The style of architecture adopted in the restoration of the church is the transition from the decorated to the perpendicular, that being considered as best suited to those portions of the old building which are retained. Great credit is due to Mr. James Harrison, the architect, for the very great skill and judgment he has displayed in the restoration of the church. The total cost was about £1,700, of which the parishioners borrowed £500 on the security of the church rates; the remaining sum was raised by subscription. Besides many smaller bequests from different individuals, this parish enjoys, under the will of Dr. Robert Oldfield, dated 24th of April, 1695, “two-thirds of Dunham Hall, and other lands and messuages at Dunham-on-the-Hill, together with lands at Boughton, for the purpose of paying £20 a year to the minister, provided he hold no other preferment, and of binding poor boys apprentices born in that parish, and of maintaining one or more poor boys, who should be apt to learn, at the University.” Owing to proper objects not having every year presented themselves, the revenues have accumulated, and with the bequeathed property now produce an annual rent of upwards of £400. St. Michael’s is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of the Bishop of Chester. The present officiating minister is the Rev. J. F. Hewson.

CHRIST CHURCH

is situated in a thickly inhabited district called Newtown; the rapid increase in the population of this locality rendering additional church accommodation necessary, the present edifice was erected to supply the need. It was consecrated on October 23, 1838. The cost was £3,390 (including £1,000 for endowment, £100 for repair fund, &c.) The Rev. W. Gibson, formerly rector of St. Bride’s, Chester, and now rector of Fawley, Hampshire, gave £1,425; the then Bishop of Chester (Dr. Sumner), the Rev. Chancellor Raikes, and Miss Rowe, £100 each; H. Raikes, Esq., £55; the late General Beckwith, £50; W. Wardell, Esq., £50; the Diocesan Church Building Society, £500. The church is built in the early English style of architecture. The Rev. R. D. Thomas is the present incumbent.

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH,

the most unsightly church in England probably, is situated near to Barrel Well, Boughton, and was built by public subscription, under the patronage of Bishop Blomfield and Bishop Sumner. It was erected in 1830, at the cost of about £2,000. It is capable of seating about 800 persons; 400 free sittings being appropriated for the poor. There is no endowment for the church, the income of the minister being derived from the pew rents. The present incumbent is the Rev. J. Gaman, M.A.

ST. OLAVE’S CHURCH

is situated on the east side of Lower Bridge-street, opposite Castle-street. It is a small, oblong structure, in outward appearance much resembling a barn. This church is of great antiquity, having been erected before the Norman Conquest. In the eleventh century it was possessed by the Botelars, by whom it was given, with two houses in the Market-place, to the Abbey of St. Werburgh, in 1101.

After the great civil war, St. Olave’s fell into disuse as a place of public worship, being only employed for baptisms and burials, on which occasions the minister of St. Michael’s officiated. It was, however, re-opened as a parish church about the middle of last century, and continued so until the year 1841, when service in the church was discontinued, and the parish united with that of St. Michael’s.

LITTLE ST. JOHN’S.

We refer the reader to the notice we have already given of this ancient hospital and chapel in a former page. The present incumbent is the Rev. William Clarke, B.D.

DISSENTING PLACES OF WORSHIP.

THE UNITARIAN CHAPEL

claims priority of notice, as being the first dissenting place of worship in Chester. The following succinct sketch of the history of this building is taken from Pigott’s ‘History of Chester:’—

“The Unitarian chapel is a large brick building, with a burial ground
in front, situated between Crook-lane and Trinity-lane, having an
entrance from each of those streets, and is generally called
Crook’s-lane Chapel. It was built in 1700 by a large, flourishing,
respectable society, which had been formed in 1687 by the celebrated
Matthew Henry, son of the learned, pious, and laborious Philip Henry,
one of the ejected ministers. In the register book belonging to the
congregation of this place there is a short account of the rise,
progress, and transactions of the society, written by Mr. Henry in
1710, being the twenty-third year of his ministry. From this
account, it appears that in 1682 there were three dissenting
congregations in Chester, which had been founded by Mr. William Cook,
Mr. Ralph Hall, and Mr. John Harvey, ministers of the Established
Church, who had been ejected from their respective livings on account
of their non-compliance with the Act of Uniformity. After the death
of Mr. Cook and Mr. Hall, their congregations were entirely broken up
and dispersed by the persecutions of the times; but such of them as
continued dissenters occasionally held meetings at each other’s
houses, or joined Mr. Harvey’s congregation, which assembled at his
house in a private manner, in order to avoid the penalties which were
then in force against the Nonconformists. James the Second, under
the pretence of universal toleration, but with a view to the
establishment of popery, granted them the liberty of public worship,
of which they had been deprived in the latter part of the reign of
Charles the Second. It was at this time that Mr. Henry, who began
his ministry in Chester, collected the remains of the congregation of
Mr. Cook and Mr. Hall, and opened a meeting in White Friars’-lane.
Mr. Harvey, who had been ejected from Wallasey, in Cheshire,
continued to preside over a dissenting congregation in Bridge-street
for thirteen years after toleration was granted; he died November,
1699; he was succeeded by his son, who resigned in 1706, on account
of ill-health. His congregation, which was large and opulent, was
united to that of Mr. Henry, and in 1707 a large gallery was built on
the south side of Crook’s-lane meeting-house for their better
accommodation. Thus the three original nonconformist societies were
united in one, under the pastoral care of Mr. Henry, who was then the
only dissenting minister in Chester.”

Mr. Henry removed from Chester to Hackney in 1713, and died of apoplexy, at Nantwich, where he had been on a visit to his friends, in June, 1714, in the 52nd year of his age, and was buried in Trinity Church in this city. His exposition of the Bible has gone through very many editions, and is still in great repute. Mr. John Gardiner succeeded Mr. Henry in 1713, and held his appointment for more than half a century. During the latter years of his ministry, his religious opinions appear to have undergone a decided change, departing very much from the doctrines maintained by Mr. Henry, which gradually prepared the way for the full development of Unitarianism in the place by his successor, Mr. Chidlaw, who was an avowed believer and advocate of the tenets peculiar to that system of Socinian doctrine. The present minister is the Rev. James Macdonald.

Independent Chapel.

This place of worship is situated on the west side of Queen-street. It is a handsome brick building, having a chaste stone front, with covered portico, and pillars of the Grecian Doric order. It has galleries on three sides, and will accommodate about 1,200 persons. It contains also a good organ. The founders of this chapel were seceders from the Presbyterian congregation in Crook-street, in consequence of a departure from what they held as the principles of a sound faith, as we have already noticed. For some years they worshipped in a large room in Commonhall-street, afterwards occupied by Mr. Wilcoxon’s congregation. They formed themselves into a church in 1772, when the Rev. Wm. Armitage was chosen the pastor. The chapel in Queen-street was erected in 1777; it was very much enlarged in 1838, when great improvements were made in the arrangements of the interior. At the same time a spacious wing was added to the building, which is used as a lecture-room and as a sabbath school for girls: underneath the lecture-room is a commodious sabbath school for boys. In addition to the Sunday schools in Queen-street, there are also three branch schools in the suburbs of the city, which are supported by the congregation. The present minister is the Rev. C. Chapman.

WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL. (OLD CONNEXION.)

This chapel (says Hemingway) was erected in 1811; it is a large, well-built, handsome structure, with a semicircular front, and two entrances. It is galleried on three sides, and behind the pulpit is a large orchestra for the accommodation of singers, where there is also a well-toned organ. The introduction of Methodism into this city occurred about the year 1750, and the first preacher who visited the neighbourhood was a Mr. John Bennett. He commenced his labours at Huntington Hall, in the neighbourhood, the residence of Mr. George Cotton; from thence the preaching was removed to the house of Mr. Richard Jones, in Love-lane, within the city, where a society was first formed; the house soon became too small for them, the society therefore procured and fitted up a capacious barn in Martin’s Ash, from which time they were regularly supplied with travelling preachers, and where the Rev. John Wesley frequently visited them, in his annual excursions. After remaining in Martin’s Ash for about twelve years, they had sufficient credit to obtain £520 upon bond, with which they erected, in 1765, the Octagon Chapel in Foregate-street, which they continued to occupy until their removal to St. John-street. The Wesleyans have also built commodious schoolrooms, which are very numerously attended. The resident ministers are the Rev. T. Brooks and the Rev. J. E. Cooke.

[Picture: Independent Chapel & Lecture Rooms, Queen Street, Chester]

WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL. (NEW CONNEXION.)

The New Connexion Methodists seceded from the old society on some points respecting the management of the funds, throwing open their financial matters to the knowledge and supervision of the people, and the general government of their societies. They have a large place of worship in Pepper-street, which is fronted with stone, and supported by four Corinthian pillars. The ministers are itinerant, and receive their appointment from the annual conference.

THE OCTAGON CHAPEL

is situated in Foregate-street, and, as already stated, was built in 1765, by the Wesleyan Methodists. Upon their removal to St. John-street, it was purchased, and has since that time been occupied by its present possessors. The congregation was collected by the labours of the late Rev. P. Oliver, a clergyman of the Established Church, who embraced the doctrines of the celebrated Mr. Whitefield. This gentleman (says Hemingway, from whom we quote) converted some outbuildings near his house in Boughton into a chapel, where he officiated until his death without any other reward than the gratification of diffusing among his poor neighbours, according to the best of his judgment, the spirit and principles of evangelical truth. At his death he bequeathed the chapel to his congregation for a term of years; but upon their removal to the Octagon, they sold their interest in it, and it has since been occasionally used as a place of worship by the Independents of Queen-street. The congregation at the Octagon is in connection with the societies which were under the patronage of the late Countess of Huntingdon. The present minister is the Rev. W. Evans.

THE BAPTIST CHAPEL

is situated in Hamilton-place; it is a small brick building, erected in 1806.

THE WELSH CALVINISTIC CHAPEL

stands on the north side of Commonhall-street; it was opened for public service on the 12th November, 1820. The public service is conducted in the Welsh language.

COMMONHALL STREET

was erected in 1841, by the congregation of the late Mr. Jonathan Wilcoxon, who officiated in an adjoining room, without pecuniary emolument, for thirty-seven years. After his death the congregation united themselves with the Independents.

THE QUAKERS’ MEETING HOUSE

is a plain building, standing on the east side of Frodsham-street. It is capable of containing several hundred persons, and has a burial ground in front; it is one of the oldest dissenting places of worship now existing in Chester. Clarkson, in his ‘Memoirs of William Penn,’ says, “Among the places he (William Penn) visited in Cheshire, was Chester itself. The king (James the Second), who was then travelling, arriving there at the same time, went to the _Meeting House_ of the Quakers to hear him preach.” In George Fox’s journal, there is an entry which proves that the Quakers have existed as a distinct society in Chester for about 200 years. Under date 1657, he writes: “From Wrexham we came to west Chester, and it being the fair time, we staid there awhile and _visited Friends_.” The resident members of this society are now very few, and the service is seldom performed.

THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS

have a small chapel in Steam-Mill-street, erected about the year 1825, and the members of the society appear to be on the increase.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL

is situated on the west side of Queen-street. It is a small but good brick building, with a Doric portico, supported by four light stone pillars in front, and was built in 1799. The chapel is now found to be too small for the congregation, and the erection of a larger edifice is contemplated, when the requisite funds can be provided. The Rev. J. Carberry is the present priest in residence.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHAPEL

is situated in Pepper-street. It was erected, in 1827, by the Baptists, but the congregation becoming very small, it was closed some years ago. In 1846 it was reopened for Presbyterian worship, and has continued to be occupied by a small but respectable society. The Rev. W. Hunter is the minister.

ENDOWED AND CHARITABLE SCHOOLS.

THE KING’S SCHOOL.

This school was founded by King Henry the Eighth, in the thirty-sixth year of his reign, for twenty-four boys to receive £3 4s. each, who are appointed by the Dean and Chapter. By the charter it is ordained, “that there shall ever be in our church of Chester twenty-four boys, poor and friendless, to be maintained out of the income of our church, of good capacities and given to learning if possible; which, however, we would not have admitted before they can read and write, and somewhat understand the rudiments of grammar; and this at the discretion of the Dean and Head Master. And these boys we will have maintained at the expense of our church until they have made some tolerable proficiency in the Latin grammar, and have been taught to write and speak Latin, for which end they are allowed the term of four years, or, if the Dean or Head Master see cause, of five and no more. But we order that no one, unless he be a chorister of our church, be elected a poor scholar that is under the age of nine years.” Some important alterations have recently been made in the management of the school, which have very considerably increased its efficiency. We are happy to find that the inhabitants of Chester are availing themselves of the great advantages provided by this excellent institution. The course of instruction has been made such as to qualify the scholars for any of the literary professions or commercial pursuits, embracing as it does all the elements of a sound mathematical, classical, and general education. The Head Master is the Rev. J. Harris, M.A. The chorister boys are educated apart, by a master expressly appointed for that purpose by the Dean and Chapter.

THE DIOCESAN SCHOOL.

This institution was established, January 2, 1812, by public subscription, under the patronage of the Bishop of Chester. It is situated on the south side of the top of George-street, is 80 feet long by 33 wide, and is capable of accommodating 400 children. It is supported by benefactions and annual subscriptions, and the institution is in a most prosperous condition; its object is to promote a good education among the children of the poor. The present master is Mr. Beswick, who is efficiently fulfilling the duties of his office.

There are also the Blue Coat School, established by Bishop Stratford, in 1700; the Blue Girls’ School, established in 1721; Infant schools, established in 1825, under the patronage of Bishop Blomfield; Diocesan Training College, erected in 1742, of which the Principal is the Rev. Arthur Rigg, M.A.

CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

The General Infirmary; Chester Humane Society; The Female Penitentiary; Female House of Refuge.