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by Hugh Pihlens

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The Parish Church of St. Lawrence stands in The Croft, and somewhat unusually is well away from the centre of the town.

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The Early English Church collapses:

By the early 1800s this building had become so dilapidated that parts were in danger of collapse and it was difficult to hold services there in bad weather. It was hoped that the trouble could be overcome by rebuilding the tower and some other parts, and by thorough repairs elsewhere. The print at the top of the page shows the crumbling church and tower, its bell now removed to a wooden gantry under the trees on the left.

In 1811 a special Act of Parliament was obtained permitting the Vicar, the Churchwardens and other Trustees to raise £3,000 for necessary repairs, alterations and improvements. A start was made: the tower, already partly demolished for safety, was rebuilt and the north aisle of the nave was enlarged; but this task was barely completed when all the ancient part of the edifice collapsed, bringing down with it much of the new work.

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The new Georgian Gothic church is built:

When the Early English church collapsed, there was clearly no alternative but to build a completely new church. In 1814 an Act of Parliament was obtained, authorising the vicar, churchwardens and trustees to raise a further £6,000 for the task. In the end the new church was to cost £30,000, the balance being raised partly by private donations, and partly by a tontine, a form of cumulative insurance rarely heard of nowadays.

The remaining portion of the old church was demolished, and in its place a new Georgian Gothic building was erected, designed by the Bath architect, John Pinch the elder.

John Pinch (c1770-1827) began his career as a builder, but went into bankruptcy soon after 1800, and thereafter practised as an architect and surveyor with considerable success. His domestic architecture is distinguished by great elegance and refinement, and represents the final phase of Georgian building in Bath. Pinch died at his house in Duke Street on 11 Mar 1927, aged 57. His practice was continued by his son, John Pinch, junior." (From Howard Colvin's Biographical Dictionary of English Architects).

The church was very similar to another church designed by him in 1817-20, The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Bathwick, on the outskirts of Bath. Standing so close to the Kennet & Avon Canal which was opened just a few years earlier in 1810, it is not surprising that it was built in Bath stone. Transporting the Bath stone to Hungerford was the largest of the early contracts for the new canal company. The west tower is of three stages and has an embattled parapet with angle pinnacles.

Many of the monuments present in the Early English church were preserved and transferred into the new building, the most notable being the mutilated effigy and inscribed stone commemorating Sir Robert de Hungerford, founder of the chantry mentioned above. Follow this link for more on the effigy of Sir Robert de Hungerford.

The new church was consecrated at special service including a "Grand Selection of Sacred Music" on 30th August 1816.

A Report on Avington Church in 1976 by the Council for Places of Worship, 83, London Wall, EC2N 5NA, includes the following comments on St Lawrence Church, Hungerford: "The church was rebuilt in a big bland neo-Perpendicular style, by John Pinch of Bath (the west tower in 1812-13 and the aisled nave and chancel in 1815). The nave was restored and remodelled in 1879, the chancel in 1889, both by Norris and Stallwood. The east window is by Lavers and Westlake, 1887."

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The major rebuilding of 1880:

The original building, completed in 1816, seems to have embodied many serious faults typical of Georgian Gothic. Externally not only the tower but other chief portions of the church were finished off with heavy embattled parapets. Internally there were flat plaster ceilings and high pews and, in place of arcades, painted iron pillars supporting clerestory and roof.

Twenty years later Hungerford was transferred from Sarum diocese to Oxford; and Bishop Wilberforce, never afraid to speak his mind, expressed strong disapproval of the building, which was, he said, both inconvenient and unecclesiastical; and in his time Hungerford candidates for Confirmation actually had to attend other churches for the Sacrament.

The original design by Mr Pinch had been unsatisfactory in many ways (see Parish Magazine Jan-Sep 1879). Taste in ecclesiastical architecture was constantly improving and knowledge of it spreading. Leading parishioners of Hungerford began to feel that their church was aesthetically unsatisfactory, and that drastic improvements were called for. Under an energetic and business-like vicar, the Rev. J. B. Anstice, a committee was formed in 1879 and within eighteen months raised nearly £2,500 by subscriptions.

Mr Joseph Morris, the County Architect from Reading was appointed. Follow this link to see the Architects drawings of 1879. In 1880 very extensive reconstruction and alterations were undertaken by Messrs Wooldridge of The Wharf. The church was handed over to Mr Wooldridge on Monday 5th April 1880, and whilst closed, the Sunday services took place in the Union Chapel, and the weekday services in St Saviour's.

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The changes included the removal of the heavy exterior battlements (except those of the tower), which were replaced by plain coping, the rebuilding of the clerestory, fitting wooden panelling to the ceilings, changes to the seating, and the replacement of the "unsightly" painted iron pillars supporting the roof by arcades of "Decorated-style" Bath stone columns. The foliated capitals of the arcade pillars were individually carved by Monsieur Devine, a French artist residing at Reading. The corbels that carry the main supports of the roof - angel figures bearing shields changing alternately with the arms of the town and the badge of St. Lawrence - were similarly carved by M. Devine.

The flat ceilings of the nave and aisles were replaced by roofs of pitch-pine, panelled, with moulded ribs. The raising of the roof and installation of the new Bath stone pillars was a work of great skill.

The church was reseated throughout, the old heavy pews, except one (since then (removed) occupied by the Willes family of Hungerford Park, were demolished. The changes to the layout of the paid pews caused considerable discussion - and a new list of Faculty Pews was published in the Parish magazine of April 1885.

Heating and lighting arrangements were improved, and a vestry farmed out of the tower basement.

All the good work nearly went to waste, however, because of a fire - as reported in the NWN 11 Nov 1880: "A man working on the floor of Hungerford Parish Church unknowingly drove a nail through a gas pipe below. Presently there was a smell of gas and another man sought to find the leak with a lighted candle. There was a flash and soon the floor was ablaze. The flames were put out before much damage was done."

The present organ, by Messrs Forster and Andrews of Hull, was installed in the west gallery at a cost of £510. The building work was completed and the church re-opened on Tuesday 12th October 1880 with many special services, through the day, and luncheons and teas in the Corn Exchange. The total cost (including the organ) was £2,850; all but £240 had been collected by the re-opening date.

In 1887 the work of 1880 was completed by repairs to the chancel and the rebuilding of its roof in similar style to those of the nave and aisles by the Dean and Chapter of Windsor.

As completed and reconditioned the plan of Hungerford Parish Church comprises nave and four bays with aisles, sanctuary with shallow apsidal east end of semi-circular outline, west tower, south porch, and small porch in the angle between the apse and the south aisle.

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Additional fixtures and fittings:

To celebrate the completion of the restoration, a set of new gates was installed at the churchyard entrance. These double gates, with adjacent kissing gate, were donated by the Town and Manor of Hungerford in July 1886. The gas lamps seen in the photograph were replaced in 1940 by an electric light on an arch over the gateway, a gift of Mr and Mrs Astley.

The most ancient piece of furniture is the fifteenth century font, octagonal in plan with panelled bowl and shaft: the bowl is carved on each face with a quatrefoil within a circle.

The pulpit, which is of stone with alabaster cornice and bosses of foliage, was presented in 1891 by the two Misses Lidderdale in memory of their parents and brother (see Parish Magazine May 1891).  It was probably designed by Mr Stallwood of Reading, and built by Messrs Earls & Abbs of Lambeth. It was first used on Easter Day 1891. The old pulpit was presented to Combe Parish Church.

The lectern, presented in 1932 by Miss Lockett as a memorial to R. H. Barker, M.D., is of wainscott oak, and takes the form of a buttressed column springing from a triangular base and supporting a revolving desk, on which rest the Old Testament and the New Testament with the Apocrypha, both volumes being richly bound.

In 1940 a bronze font ewer was presented by Miss Low, in memory of Frederick Low.

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The church bells:

The present belfry now contains a peal of eight bells. In Edward VI's time the church had three bells and a sanctus bell.

The 1816 church was provided with a peal of five bells, all cast in 1816 by James Wells of Aldbourne. This small village produced two notable dynasties of bell-founders—the Corrs, who started in 1696, and the Wells. In 1830 a tenor bell was added, cast by Thomas Mears of Whitechapel.  A "little" bell was added in 1847 by William Taylor of Oxford, member of a firm that is now world famous as Taylors of Loughborough.

These six bells were rehung on a steel frame in 1927, quarter-turned and re-tuned, and two light bells added to make up the peal of eight. This work was carried out at a cost of £590 by Messrs. Mears and Stainbank of Whitechapel. The timber of the old bell-frames was used to make the present west door.

The treble bell was given by Major Edward Robert Portal in memory of his son Nigel Hugh, killed while flying in 1926; the second bell by John H. Wooldridge and his sisters.

A completely new set of eight bells was installed in the tower in 1978. A Commemorative pamphlet was produced for the Service of Dedication. It includes the history of the bells at St Lawrence, photographs, list of donors, and the order of service.

See long article "Hungerford's bells a joy to ring and hear" - NWN 24 Jul 1980.

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Other additions:

The War Shrine, originally erected at the east end of the north aisle has, since the conversion of the latter into a Lady Chapel (see below), been stationed in the south aisle. It consists of a triptych supported on an oak pedestal decorated with linen-fold panelling. In the central panel, below a foliated canopy, is the Crucifix with the two attendant figures, all being richly coloured and gilt; below is a suitable inscription. Names of the fifty-nine Hungerford men who gave their lives in the Great War are inscribed in Gothic lettering on the flanking panels, which are headed by the arms respectively of St. George and St. Nicholas, patron saint of sailors. The shrine was designed by Messrs. Rogers & Howard of Oxford. In 1950 was added the date of the Second Great War, 1939-45 and a list of those who gave their lives in that great conflict.

After the 1880 restoration a temporary Altar with a painted reredos was placed in the sanctuary. For this, in 1930, was substituted the present Altar, a beautiful piece of ecclesiastical furniture, designed by Mr. H. S. Rogers of Oxford. It is of oak, with turned legs and moulded rails and stretchers. The handsome red frontal — three panels richly embroidered with various silks and gold thread — was remade for this High Altar, the panels being worked by the late Miss Monrice, who lived at Hungerford Park. The church possesses also other beautiful firontals and a Lenten Array, which, with the fair linen for the altar, were gifts of various devout parishioners and friends, and were designed by Mr. H. S. Rogers.

In the north wall of the sanctuary is an aumbry given by the Rev. B. D. Gotto, assistant priest 1928-31, in memory of his father. Its oaken door conceals a safe in which the Blessed Sacrament is perpetually reserved for the Communion of the Sick by the sanction of the Bishop of the Diocese. The new Altar and the aumbry were dedicated on 26th October, 1930, by the Rt. Rev. T. B. Strong, D.D., then Bishop of Oxford. The chancel screen, the gift of Major E. R. Portal, late of Eddington House, was erected in 1923 and re-sited in 1977 as part of the alterations .to the church interior. It is modelled on a parclose screen in Slapton Lea Church (Devon) and is richly carved, mostly with the vineleaf motif prevalent in Devonshire screens. It consists of four panels, two on either side of a central arch. Along the inner top margin is a Latin inscription.

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As a thank-offering for the Silver Jubilee of King George V, parishioners undertook the rearrangement and furnishing of the east end of the north aisle as a Lady Chapel. The oak Altar, credence table and kneeling rail were given by Mr. J. H. Wooldridge and were made by Messrs. Wooldridge and Son from designs by Mr. H. S. Rogers of Oxford. The Altar is similar in general design to the High Altar. Dorsal and curtains, frontal, and of the congregation, and the wrought iron curtain rods and candle-prickets were made and given by Mr. Fred Oakes, a local craftsman. The silver-plated altar cross was given by the Hungerford branch of the Mothers' Union; candlesticks to match by members of the Guild of St. Agnes. The Chapel was dedicated on the Feast of The Falling Asleep of the Blessed Virgin, 15th August, 1936. The prayer desk was made from the old lectern and decorated with panels carved by the Rev. T. Hungerford Michell, to whom the glass of the chapel east window is a memorial. Two relatives of Sir Ralph Sadleir, the Tudor statesman, are commemorated by inscribed brasses on the floor of the nave near the prayer desk.

In 1901 a new lighting system was installed "in an effort to give greater comfort, both in the matter of increased illumination, and in the diminution of heat. This latter benefit, we believe, has been at once acknowledged, at least by the occupants of the gallery, who formerly were inclined to complain much of the prospect of asphyxiation on account of the gaseous fumes from the unguarded burners immediately below them."

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A new heating apparatus - the MacClary Pipeless System  - was installed in the church in 1929, and electric lighting in 1930. In 1938 certain small changes made the south porch more convenient. In 1962 the worn-out hot-air system of heating was replaced by an oil-fired system of hot-water radiators.

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The Church Silver:

The Church Plate of Hungerford comprises a handsome and valuable service presented in 1736-7 by Mrs. Mary Hungerford, widow of John Hungerford, Esq., barrister, of Lincoln's Inn, and M.P. for Scarborough, 1692-5, and 1702-5. The service is of five pieces: a large chalice, a paten, two flagons and a bread-holder. Each piece is inscribed with the words "The gift of Mrs. Mary Hungerford, widow of 'John Hungerford, late of Lincoln's Inn, Esquire, deceased, who was lord of this Manor of Hungerford: 1737", and bears also the maker's initials, "G.F." and a lozenge containing the Arms of the town quartered with a saltire in an engrailed border impaling a boar's head razed and erect, dripping blood. Other pieces are an eighteenth century cup, a chalice of 1891-2, a paten of 1897-8, and a ciborium of 1935. John Hungerford was a member of one of the branches of the noted Wiltshire family so called, which originally took its name from this manor of Hungerford: there is a mural monument to him and his wife on the south wall.

In 1940 there was an addition made to the list of sacred vessels; by the beneficence of Mrs. Giles, a chalice and paten made in handmade beaten silver was presented to the Church in memory of her husband, William Henry Giles.

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Monuments:

The most ancient and remarkable monument preserved in the church is the mutilated effigy of Sir Robert de Hungerford (died 1352), who founded the Chantry of the Holy Trinity in 1325 for Masses to be sung for the soul of his wife Geva. Much more on both of these topics can be found through the links.

Close by the effigy of Sir Robert de Hungerford. on the wall of the north aisle, is a mural monument — the oldest in the church except for the Indulgence slab — surmounted with coat-of-arms, helm crest and mantling, and recording the burial (1673) of Henry Hungerford of Standen, a son of Sir Anthony Hungerford of Black Bourton (Oxon).

Other notable monuments in this aisle are that of Eliza Lucas (d. 1804), one commemorating an aged couple, William and Anne Cheyney, barbarously murdered in their own home (1762) and a beautiful modern monument to Captain Edward Dugdale D'Oyley Astley, consisting of the figure of St. George in mosaic work framed in alabaster.

On the west wall near the gallery 'stair are interesting memorials to Thomas E. Blackwell (d. 1863), engineer of the Kennet and Avon Canal, and to Henry Capps (known as "Trusty"), a faithful 'servitor 6f the Hungerfords of Standen.

In the south aisle are several monuments to members of the Willes family, of Hungeirford Park, ranging in date from 1796 to 1921.

The Whitelocke family, for centuries in possession of the Chilton Lodge Estate, are represented by a panelled slab in memory of six ladies of the house (1777 to 1812).

(Follow this link for a full list of the Monumental Inscriptions at St Lawrence's Churchyard.)

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Stained glass windows:

There are many fine stained-glass windows.

The east window was installed in 1895 to commemorate the work of the Rev JB Anstice, MA, vicar between 1866 and 1894. The window represents St Peter's charge to "Feed my Sheep". His work is commemorated by two other windows: one in the south aisle, representing the Sermon on the mount, and erected by assistant clergy who served under Mr Anstice; and one in the north aisle given by the Parishioners in 1889 as a token of sympathy for their Vicar, whose sight was then failing - the central light shows the healing of blind Bartimaeus.

Two other windows in the north aisle commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, their cost was defrayed from a window fund organised by Mr Anstice: they represent respectively the Transfiguration and the raising of Jairus' daughter.

The memorial window, placed over the south doorway, was the gift of Major E. R. Portal of Eddington House. It portrays in the central light St. Lawrence to whom the church is dedicated. He is shown holding the instrument of martyrdom, the gridiron. (In the window near the gallery stair, this Saint also figures, this time holding a book and pen). In the west light appears St. Frideswide, and in the east light St. Osmund, an early bishop of Sarum.

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The churchyard:

In September 1890 a Home Office officer inspected the Parish churchyard, and it was expected that the church yard would be closed to burials before the end of the year (with certain exceptions). Two acres of additional ground was about to be added to St Saviour's churchyard. The official notice was received in December 1890. The churchyard was levelled in December 1892. Rows of pollarded limes lead to the church doors.

(Follow this link for a full list of the Monumental Inscriptions at St Lawrence's Churchyard.)

The entrance-gates have been previously mentioned. In 1939 a scheme to provide light for worshippers approaching and passing along the long-shaded pathway to the principal church door was devised by Miss Packard in the shape of an arch over the entrance gates, carrying an electrical illumination. The funds were provided by the late Mr. H. D'O. W. Astley.

Two further features of interest are the very ancient "tumble stile" which terminates the path on the vicarage side, and the nearby headstone to the memory of "James Dean - late Bath Coachman".

See also:
- Parish Magazines (various), esp Jan-Sep 1879, Dec 1879, Oct 1880, Jul 1886,
          Sep 1890, Dec 1890, May 1891, Dec 1892.
- Follow this link for a chronological list of the Vicars of Hungerford.
- Follow this link for more on Sir Robert de Hungerford
- Monumental Inscriptions at St Lawrence's Churchyard
- Floor Tombs in St Lawrence's Church
- Hungerford Church Property in 1552-53, from Church Goods in Berkshire, by Walter
          Money, 1879
- Architect's drawings of 1879 regarding changes of 1880
- Pamphlet for the Dedication of the new ring of eight bells, 16th July 1978
- The Story of the Parish Church of St Lawrence Hungerford (1967)
- Chantry of Holy Trinity
- Chantry of Blessed Virgin Mary
- St Frideswide
- St Lawrence
- The Croft
- Tumble Stile
- Bell foundry in Hungerford
- Coaching
- NWN report: First Church of England Children's Society Christingle Service, 3.12.1978

Updated: 8.11.2011

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