As the authorized version of the Bible was printed in 1611 it is probable the churchwardens wished to substitute that for the Bishops’ Bible which was published 1568.
And as James I. had stated that “he would make all men conform or harry them out of the land, or else worse,” perhaps the strangers and honest man were Baptists, Independents, or Puritans.
A happier time, however, came with William III.
The old church, which was taken down a few years since, was built in 1696, King William III. giving £300 and Princess Ann £100 towards the cost, the whole charge of which was £1,800.
In 1811 it was repaired and improved at a cost to the ratepayers of £3,000.
The first organ cost £500.
Some financial extracts from the old parish books may be interesting and amusing—
|
|
| £
| s.
| d.
|
| 1698
| Paid the ringers for the King’s coming home
| 00
| 06
| 08
|
| 1703
| Paid for prayer books at general thanksgiving
| 00
| 3
| 06
|
| 1704
| Paid Mr. Jackson for a barrel of beer for victory over
French and Bavarians
| 00
| 15
| 00
|
| 1709
| Paid ringers for forcing the French lines
| 00
| 13
| 04
|
| 1712
| Paid ringers when the Queen made her speech for peace
(N.B.)
| 00
| 6
| 08
|
| 1713
| Paid ringers when the Peace came over
| 00
| 6
| 08
|
| 1714
| Paid ringers for the pious memory of Queen Ann
| 00
| 13
| 04
|
| 1716
| Ditto, when King George went through the town
| 00
| 6
| 08
|
| Aug. 1
| For a bonfire and Ringers
| 00
| 5
| 08
|
| 1683
| Collection by order of the Bishop for relief of poor of
London
| 03
| 12
| 06
|
| 1693
| Paid for a truss of straw for a poor soldier
| 00
| 00
| 04
|
|
| Paid for maimed soldiers
| 00
| 06
| 00
|
| 1694
| 1 bushel of coals for a poor family
| 00
| 01
| 00
|
| 1711
| Paid for French prisoners and a woman at Wingsdale
Barn
| 00
| 01
| 00
|
| 1727
| Paid charity boys for blowing organ bellows and ringing
the saint’s bell for one whole year
| 00
| 16
| 00
|
|
| Paid Theef Ketchers enquiring who robbed the Church
| 00
| 09
| 00
|
Kensington was not at all a noted place until William III. ennobled it with his court and residence.
Noel House, Kensington Goar, was built 1804.