The History of the Parish Church of
St. Mary the Virgin, Nottingham
The History of the Parish Church of
St. Mary the Virgin, Nottingham
Despite the onset of the Second World war, 1940
saw completion of the "Simpson Memorial Vestry"
for the Choir (left of main church). This was planned from 1938, with
money bequeathed by Mr. J.A. Simpson. It was designed by Mr. E.A.
Heazell and built by F.A. Broadhead.
These can be located on the Plan. Other works done at the time appear to be the re-opening of the turret doors in both aisles, and the installation of doors from the North transept, on the east with a corridor through to the "Chapter House" (the 1941 photo shows the bright new stone). In 1941 the church suffered air raid damage, by an incendiary bomb which came through the roof into the south transept, fortunately the damage was limited. On 3 April, 1943, after the death of Bishop Talbot, came the Institution of Robert Henry Hawkins, MA, as Vicar, Patron the Bishop of Southwell. He left to become a Canon of St. George's, Windsor, in 1957. |
| Just after the war, in 1945 (or 1947?), an improvement was the Oak Panelling behind the Guild Altar in north transept (Commonwealth table), in memory of Mr. James Hodgkinson. Purportedly, the panelling originally from Bury St. Edmund's Cathedral and is contemporary with the table. Bayes noted this as from "a Suffolk church". | ||
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Outside, 1948 brought the Laying flat of Headstones in Churchyard; the church was "indebted to the interest of the Parks Superintendent (Mr. Ayres)". 1948 also saw the Lowering the font, by taking off a step. In 1949 it was reported that the south clerestory & aisle were in need of exterior stone repairs; this was still in planning in 1952, and was started in 1956. In May 1949, Chapel Kneelers, in memory of Duncan MacGregor Vowles, were designed and built by Mr. French, the then Verger. Around the same time the Verger's Chair was given in in memory of Fanny and Henry Kirk (plaque undated). Building work took place in 1950, with the Stonework to buttress (on north side) and chimney of Clergy vestry being renewed. Also in 1950?, the Silver-topped Verge was given in memory of Henry George Limb, Chorister, 1901-1949. 1951 saw the placing of the ancient alabaster in south wall of chapel (curious as Field's little guide mentions the plaque as in the same wall?, also in Holland Walker). Further building repairs were done in 1952 to repair the South Transept roof damaged in the 1941 air raid. Internally, the Baptistery, panelling and seating, proposed in 1950, was completed in 1952. The arrival of the new Elizabethan era was celebrated in 1953 with the first floodlighting to celebrate the Coronation of Elizabeth II.
Added in 1958 was the Credence table in the Chapel, in memory of Clara Simpson, died August 23 1957. 1958 also saw the Institution of Canon Douglas Russell Feaver, MA, as Vicar, Patron the Bishop of Southwell (left). Subsequently he became the Diocesan Bishop of Peterborough. Moving on to 1965, the Chancel Roof was redecorated, design by Lawrence Bond, 600 square feet, in blue and gold leaf. The reopening service was conducted by Canon Feaver on 25 March. That year, came the new Chapel chairs, each dedicated to a previous Vicar. |
In 1972-3 Canon Feaver left. After an incumbency of ten
months, Canon Michael James Jackson, MA, (below) was instituted
as Vicar in September 1973. The Patron was HM Queen Elizabeth II. A
memorial to Canon Jackson, 1925-95, Canon of Southwell 1973-95, is in
the Lady Chapel.
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 1973
also brought the Dedication on 22 September of the new Organ by
Marcussen (right). It is regarded as one of Britain's finest modern
organs.
1974 saw the necessity for a new Boiler, and in 1976 the Vestry was renovated. As always work was ongoing and 1978 brought new lighting. |
| The highlight of the late-1980s, of course, was the complete cleaning and much restoration of crumbling exterior stonework. |
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 Then,
in 1991 Canon Jackson retired. The present Vicar James
Edward McKenzie Neale BA (left) was instituted, Patron the Bishop of
Southwell. In 1994, came the Crucifix over the Commonwealth
Table and a small Crucifix for daily use on High Altar, both by
Peter Ball (designer also of the Southwell Rood Crucifix). Further
enhancements came in 1996 with the Choir Stall lights,
donated by various members of the "Friends of St. Mary's",
many with memorial inscriptions. |
To close the Century and commemorate the new Millennium, the
Friends have had the churchyard lighting restored in a style closely
resembling that of the gaslights of 1873-74.
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The Twentieth Century to 1940 - Compiled by Brian Taylor, published September 2000
stmarys/history12.htm
Away
from the main church, in 1954, the three closed burial
grounds in Barker Gate were surrendered, one was to become a rest
garden. Back in the church, 1955 brought a New heating
system, at a cost of £3,000. In 1957, Repairs and
restorations included an Oak font cover; an electric motor
for the Sanctus Bell, which was rehung. The south wall was refaced
from the west end to the porch (work had begun in 1956), and the
Clergy Vestry, Chapter House and Choir Vestry were redecorated.
