The Stranger in Shrewsbury: or, an historical and descriptive view of Shrewsbury and its environsHowell, Thomas J.
History
The Stranger in Shrewsbury: or, an historical and descriptive view of Shrewsbury and its environs
Howell, Thomas J.
Shrewsbury (England) -- Description and travel
The principal entrance is through the large door under the steeple, to
the lower division of which is attached a portico, elevated on a flight
of steps, and supported by four Doric columns. The interior has a rich
and noble appearance, especially since its recent painting, which in some
measure has corrected that light and theatrical effect hitherto
complained of. The gallery which encircles the whole of the church,
except the chancel, is supported by a double circular range of short
pillars with Ionic capitals. From its front rises a series of columns
which support the roof, intended to imitate the Corinthian order. The
chancel is separated from the church by two insulated Corinthian-columns,
with highly enriched architraves. Beside the usual appendages of a
chancel, the Creed, Commandments, and Lord’s Prayer—a fine painted
window, executed by Eginton, and removed here from Lichfield cathedral,
was erected in the large window, in 1807, at the expense of the
parishioners.—The subject is the resurrection of our Saviour, from a
design by West. In the gallery is a good organ.
Notwithstanding the objections which have been made to the architectural
plan of this church, it is possessed of one advantage, which, it is
presumed tends to obviate all of them, namely convenient accommodation
for a congregation of 2000 persons, which should be the object
principally kept in view in all similar erections. It was built at an
expense of about £18,000: £15,000 of which remains as a debt, on the
church at this period.
The patron of the living is the king—the present vicar, the Rev. Thomas
Stedman, M.A. Organist Mr. John Wynne.
From the dome of this church there is a most beautiful panoramic view of
the town, and a very extensive range of the fertile plain of Shropshire.
The Abbey of St. Peter & St. Paul.
The present church once formed part of a magnificent and richly endowed
abbey, founded by Roger de Montgomery, soon after the Norman conquest.
Here that powerful baron, in the decline of his life, retired,
relinquishing his warlike habits for the severities of the Benedictine
monks, and adopting the custom mentioned by Milton, of those
who, to be sure of Paradise,
Dying, put on the weeds of Dominic,
Or in Franciscan think to pass disguised.
Originally it was of very considerable extent, comprehending within its
enclosure nearly nine acres, now used as gardens and pleasure grounds to
the adjoining mansions, together with a spacious fish-pond.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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