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Consecration - 1851
By November 1851, the church was ready for its consecration and the Cirencester & Swindon Express (incorporated the following year with Wilts & Glos Standard) tells us that 'Early on the morning of that November day, the bells of the old church sent forth their joyful sound'. The sun, for a November day, shone brightly and by 10.30am the new building was full to overflowing. Fortunately a system was put in place to prevent an inconvenient over-crowding of the church; tickets of admission having been distributed to those desirous of being present - 'a course which effectually prevented any unseemly crowding, and served to maintain the solemnity and decorum so indispensable on such an occasion'.
By 11am the Lord Bishop of Llandaff, Dr. Olivant, acting for the Lord Bishop of Gloucester & Bristol (Dr. Monk), arrived with Earl Bathurst in his Lordship's carriage. He was received at the gate by the Surrogate (acting for the Chancellor), the Registrar and about 60 clergy from the neighbourhood.
The 24th Psalm was sung while a procession was made to the north door where the petition was presented to the Bishop praying him to consecrate the new church. After the usual form of Consecration, Matins was sung by Canon Powell, the music being led by choristers of Gloucester Cathedral aided by the boys of the Yellow and Blue Schools.
The report of the service
The report reads:
"The divine service was read by the Revd. W.F.Powell and the preacher (the Revd Mr Beadon of Latton) together with the rest of the clergy then entered the church, proceeding up the middle aisle to the Communion table, the Bishop and clergy repeating alternately the verses of the 24th Psalm. The Bishop, with the Chancellor, then went within the rails to the north side of the communion table, the Chaplains to the south side. The Deed of Conveyance of the land upon which the Church is built, and other required documents, were then presented by Lord Bathurst (as the founder) to the Bishop, who thereupon addressed the congregation as to the necessity of places of public worship being erected, and then proceeded to read appropriate and beautiful prayers; praying that the different sacred rites which would from time to time be, might obtain God's blessing. The sentence of Consecration was then read by the Chancellor, signed by the Bishop, and ordered by him to be registered. The Revd. Powell then chanted the service for the day, the responses being made by the congregation assisted by some members of the choir from the Cathedral Church at Gloucester."
The First Lesson was read by the Revd. Daubney (Vicar of Ampney Crucis), and the second lesson by Revd Henry Cripps (Vicar of Preston village). The communion service was read by the Bishop, the Collect and the Gospel by the Chaplains. The sermon was given by Revd Beadon (Vicar of Latton). A collection of £282.0.2d was made at the morning service towards expenses of the building. Afterwards, the Bishop, Clergy and parishioners repaired to the churchyard and proceeded around the grounds repeating alternately verses from the 49th Psalm and the 5th, 6th and 7th verses from the 39th Psalm. After this the congregation dispersed. On Friday morning the Revd Canon Kent chanted the Litany service and the Revd B G Bourke preached.
Roast Beef and Plum Pudding for 420 - at the King's Head Hotel !
The children connected with the Church establishment attended divine service and afterwards dined together to the number of 400 in the large room at the King's Head Hotel, where they were waited upon by various ladies and gentlemen of the town. At 4pm the Revd Powell entertained at the same hotel, the Churchwardens and the various gentlemen who had assisted the carvers to the dinner given to the boys in the morning.
This was indeed a memorable day in the history of Cirencester, and it was made certain that no child should ever be allowed to forget it. Some 420 school children of the parish were regaled, we are told, with a plentiful supply of roast beef and plum puddings which had been made by the ladies of the town, and which varied in size from two to twenty pounds.
Newspaper articles
The newspaper reported:
'A pleasing sight, this real enjoyment of so many children. We were delighted with the ease with which their pastor, our respected incumbent, controlled their will. One moment all was repose for a blessing on the supplies which had been vouchsafed: the next witnessed such a burst of applause, such a thrill of pleasure, as only several hundred children can raise when showing themselves delighted with that which has been done by their elders for their special pleasure and satisfaction. All persons present then sang the National Anthem in a most effective manner.'
The alms (collection) at that first service was put towards paying back some £650 "which had been lent for the completion of the work". The Cirencester & Swindon Express points out:
'this fine amount shows sympathy and regard manifested for the zealous and indefatigable incumbent and must be a cheering and welcome close to many an anxious hour during the progress of this labour of love. We heartily congratulate our fellow parishioners on the completion of this structure, the architecture of which will be a great ornament to the town, and situated as it is near a thickly populated neighbourhood, we trust may prove a blessing to unborn generations'.
2001
Thus was the Church of the Holy Trinity born, and we look back to those days with humble gratitude praying that we may be worthy of all the hopes that our predecessors had in us for the maintenance of this Church, of which they were the founders.
In Part 4, I shall be looking at the layout of the Church. Church records have been perused in order to compile a great deal of this series of articles on Holy Trinity Church Watermoor, and some interesting points will be reported.
Many thanks to Tony Clack for this contribution
See
Part 1 : The Beginnings of the Idea
Part 2 : The Construction
Part 3 : The Consecration
Part 4 : The Church Layout and Additions
Part 5 : The Church Windows
Part 6 : Sights, Sounds & Timing - the Bells
Part 7 : Further Assets & the Curate Register |
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