Memorials of Shrewsbury: being a concise description of the town and its environs, adapted as a general guide for the information of visitors and residentsPidgeon, Henry
Science
Memorials of Shrewsbury: being a concise description of the town and its environs, adapted as a general guide for the information of visitors and residents
Pidgeon, Henry
Shrewsbury (England) -- Guidebooks
The west front is of three divisions guarded by projecting buttresses,
the centre portion forming the principal entrance, a pointed arch bounded
by a sweeping label; above this is a lancet light, succeeded by a panel
intended for a clock dial. From this part the tower shows itself above
the roof to the height of about 20 feet, and has mullioned windows in the
style of the 16th-century, surmounted by an embattled parapet and four
crocketed pinnacles crowned with finials. The flanks of the west end are
quite plain, having in their centre narrow blank loopholes.
The nave has on each side four lancet windows, bounded by labels; and the
northern and southern extremities of the transepts, with the chancel or
eastern end, have triple lancet windows with recessed mouldings, resting
on grotesque carved heads. The transepts and chancel terminate with
gables, having on their apex a crocketed pinnacle.
The extreme length of the church is about 84 feet, and 30 feet in width,
the transepts from north to south are 66 feet, and the tower to the
summit of the pinnacles 60 feet.
THE INTERIOR
possesses a very pleasing appearance. The basement of the tower forms
the vestibule, which is flanked on one side by the vestry, and on the
other by the stairs leading to the gallery. The aisles of the nave and
transepts are occupied by free benches, with a passage on either hand,
the pews being placed along the side walls of the entire building.
The font is of free-stone, and placed on a pedestal in the area between
the transepts; the basin is octangular, having on its side compartments a
small quatrefoil sunk within a square panel.
On each side of the communion table are two carved gothic chairs; and
nearly the whole extent of the eastern wall of the chancel is covered
with a handsome altar skreen.
The three lancet windows are filled with splendid stained glass.
The subject occupying the centre window is a full-length figure of
ISAIAH, in an attitude strikingly prophetic, and clothed in a brilliant
vest of purple, over which is thrown a green robe lined with ermine,
denoting his royal descent.
The corresponding windows on each side have spirited figures of ST.
MATTHEW and ST. MARK. The former exhibits deep and serious meditation,
with a most benign countenance; in his right hand is a halbert, and in
his left a Greek manuscript. ST. MARK is a most venerable figure, whose
head appears covered with the frost of hoary years, and he is pointing to
an open gospel which he holds in his left hand.
The figures stand on rich bases, which display an highly ornamented
quatrefoil, and are surmounted by canopies of the most elegant crocketed
tabernacle work, which have a truly pleasing effect.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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