Cambridge and Its CollegesThompson, A. Hamilton (Alexander Hamilton)
History
Cambridge and Its Colleges
Thompson, A. Hamilton (Alexander Hamilton)
University of Cambridge
This domestic comfort pervaded the church until 1863. The Camden
Society destroyed the picturesque top of the tower in 1842, but did
not touch the interior of the church. In 1851 Sir Gilbert Scott took
away Mildmay’s porch, and substituted for it the present west door.
Much about the same time, the ground round St Mary’s was cleared of
houses. Dr Luard, the late registrary, who was then Vicar, agitated
for the removal of the “throne” for a long time, and at last the work
of reconstruction began. The present nave-seats and chancel-stalls, in
a somewhat florid style, were put in, and the only remains of the old
preaching-house were the galleries and the organ at the west end. This
organ, which dates from 1698, and is in part the work of Father Smith,
was rebuilt by Messrs Hill in 1870. In 1888 the south porch was rebuilt
on the lines of a porch which had been destroyed in 1783. Under the
present vicar, Dr Cunningham, the work of restoration has advanced. The
tower has been thoroughly repaired, and a new organ has been built for
parochial services on the south side of the choir. Further, the late Mr
Sandars, who did so much for the University, filled in the lower part
of the aisle windows with the arms of those noblemen and prelates who
subscribed to the nave between 1478 and 1519. These windows, which are
by Messrs Powell, are full of interesting matter for the student of
monastic heraldry. Messrs Powell are similarly engaged in filling the
clerestory windows with admirable figure-glass. Altogether, during the
last half-century, the church has returned some way towards its original
design. There is now a side altar in St Andrew’s Chapel, which is used as
the chapel of the Clergy Training-School; the Lady Chapel is occupied by
the vestry. And, finally, one must not forget the “Cambridge chimes” in
the tower, which were composed in 1790 by Dr Jowett of garden fame, and
are the model of all such chimes throughout England.
III
PETERHOUSE
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account