Consecration of the Lady Chapel.
The consecration of the Lady Chapel took place on Wednesday, 29th June, 1910, St. Peter's Day, and was a most imposing and impressive ceremony. The Lord Bishop conducted the service, the Archbishop of York preached the sermon, and they were supported by the Archbishop of Dublin and twenty-four other bishops, all wearing their convocation robes. There was a large assembly, the difficulty being to accommodate all who wished for seats.
The Bishops' procession was formed in the vestries, and was composed of the Chapter and Clergy, the Cathedral Choir, the Bishops and their Chaplains, the Bishop of the Diocese, and the Archbishop of York. The procession marched round the chapel through the street to the door of the Lady Chapel, the choir singing an appropriate anthem. Arriving at the door, after the recital of some prayers, the Bishop knocked, demanding admission. Upon entering the church, the Earl of Derby, the president, in his chancellor's robes, and attended by Mr. Arthur Earle, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Radcliffe, Sir Robert Hampson, and myself, as the chairman, advanced and handed the Bishop a request that he would consecrate the chapel, and also a deed conveying the chapel and its site to the Bishop and the Chapter. The procession then proceeded to their places in the choir, and the service commenced, the musical part being beautifully rendered by the choir, Mr. Burstall presiding at the organ. The service was interesting and quaint, especially the blessing by the different bishops of the various votive offerings. The Archbishop preached a most eloquent sermon, taking as his text: Habakkuk 2nd chapter, 20th verse, "The Lord is in his holy temple: let the whole earth keep silence." The consecration was followed by a luncheon at the Town Hall. An octave of special services was held in the chapel in the following week, at which several bishops preached.
This is not the place to describe the architectural features of the Lady Chapel, but it seems to have won the admiration of all by its charming proportions, its chaste but rich beauty, and its quiet, devotional feeling.
The gifts to the chapel by the Earle and Langton families were both numerous and costly; and of the total cost of the chapel, about £70,000, these families generously contributed nearly one-half. Their offerings were supplemented by those of other friends, so that the chapel when opened was complete in every detail, and with every accessory.
To the Dowager Countess of Derby and her committee of lady workers, with Miss Stolterfoht as secretary, we are indebted for the beautiful embroideries which do so much for the adornment and enrichment of the choir.
We launched this first and great instalment of the cathedral "in humble thankfulness to Almighty God that He has prospered our handiwork, and pray that in this holy and beautiful house prayer and praise may be ever offered unto Him; that He will assist with His blessing our effort to complete the cathedral for His Glory; that He will endue with wisdom the heads that guide, preserve from evil the hands that work, provide the silver and gold, and carry to a glorious completion the building thus begun."