ST. THOMAS’S PARISH CHURCH.
Much unkindly feeling and animosity was occasioned in the Parish when this fine Old Parish Church was doomed to be demolished, more especially when it became known that a heavy Church Rate for years to come would be levied upon the Ratepayers, partly to meet the cost of building the New Parish Church.[37]
On laying the Foundation Stone of the present St. Thomas’s Church, on October 25th, 1816, the following ticket was issued:—
ADMIT THE BEARER INTO ST. THOMAS’S CHURCH YARD,
On the 25th of OCTOBER, 1816.
N.B.—This Ticket will entitle the Purchaser to a Medal.
As many discrepancies have often appeared in print as to the cost of the erection of the present Church of St. Thomas, Dudley, I am enabled, through the courtesy of Ephraim Ball, Esq., of Halesowen, to lay before the reading public some authentic information on this head, taken from valuable documents now in his possession, which belonged to the Churchwardens and Building Committee at that remote period. Mr. Ball’s subjoined letter to the Dudley Guardian, in 1871, effectually sets that question for ever at rest.
We have also another very pleasant evidence of the liberality and care for the spiritual wants of the parishioners displayed at that time by the then Viscount Dudley and Ward, in erecting a new Gallery in St. Edmund’s Church, to enable the church going inhabitants to obtain some sitting accommodation in public worship, during the very protracted time occupied in the erection of the New Parish Church.
Dudley, July 10th, 1815.
My Lord,
The Churchwardens of Dudley beg leave most respectfully to inform your Lordship that, as it is found expedient to put up a Gallery in Saint Edmund’s Church, for the accommodation of the inhabitants, while the Parish Church is building; that a space on your Lordship’s Chancel being the only one for such Gallery, which will become your Lordship’s property hereafter; that there is no power of applying any part of the subscription money, raised for the intended New Parish Church, towards the said Gallery; and that the parishioners having contributed to the utmost of their means, for the erection of the Church—we are emboldened by your Lordship’s great liberality, on all occasions to the town of Dudley, to solicit your kind assistance to enable us to complete the Gallery, according to an estimate amounting to £181, which will greatly add to the many obligations which we owe your Lordship. In behalf of the parish, we are my Lord,
Your Lordship’s much obliged,
And most respectful Servants,
T. HILL AND EDWARD GUEST.
The Right Honourable Lord Viscount Dudley and Ward, Park Lane, London.
[Reply.]
My Dear Sir,
I shall be at Himley, quite as soon as I intended, and take the liberty of sending the enclosed for your inspection; and beg that you will inform the inhabitants of Dudley, that I shall be happy to accommodate them with a Gallery in my Chancel, and will talk further on the business when I have the pleasure of seeing you.
I am, yours sincerely,
DUDLEY AND WARD.
London, Wednesday July 12th, 1815.
Dudley, October 15th, 1815.
My Lord,
A wish having been expressed by a few, that the Gallery with which your Lordship has had the goodness and generosity to present to this parish in the Chancel of St. Edmund’s, should consist of close pews instead of open benches, we respectfully request your Lordship will be pleased to inform us, whether (if deemed expedient), such wish shall be complied with, no additional expense falling on your Lordship in consequence of any deviation from the original plan. And, if complied with, whether any rent for the seats ought to be paid to the Minister of St. Edmund’s for the same. The children of the charity schools being about 1,000 in number, we also beg leave most respectfully to submit it to your Lordship’s consideration, whether, (when the new Parish Church is completed), the said Gallery (if thought advisable), should not be converted into open benches for their accommodation.
We are, my Lord, your Lordship’s
Most respectful obedient Servants,
T. HILL,
EDWARD GUEST,
} Churchwardens.
[Reply.]
To Rev. Dr. Booker, Dudley.
My Dear Sir,
I wish the Gallery to be so constructed as may best answer the wants of the inhabitants, especially the householders, while the Parish Church is being built. If close pews will be most eligible for the purpose during that time, I have no objection to their being put up by the persons wanting them, under the direction of yourself and the Churchwardens, provided the pews be so formed as to be capable of being altered hereafter, as I may think proper.
I am, my dear Sir,
Yours sincerely,
DUDLEY AND WARD.
Himley, November 4th, 1815.
The following correspondence is a valuable compendium to Dudley lore—