THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH
Possesses much of its primitive character, being unencumbered with pews, and until the last few years exhibited a still more rude appearance of damp and neglect. Many important improvements, however, have been effected within and around the building, especially in placing drains around the exterior, which have not only rendered the interior free from damp, but contributed also to the dryness of the cemetery. The alterations in the nave consist in levelling and repairing the floor, ceiling the roof, and appropriately colouring the walls and rafters; removing the pulpit from the corner of the fine arch leading into the chancel to the south-east corner of the nave, and placing stone tracery of a bold design in the large pointed window of the south wall. The windows of the north aisle are filled with fragments of stained glass ingeniously disposed, so as to represent the outline of figures. [82]
In feet, whoever has visited this ancient church during its former wretched state will be astonished; it now truly looks
“As though we own’d a God, adored his power,
Rever’d his wisdom, loved his mercy.”
And its sacred walls will, it is to be hoped, no more echo with the twittering of birds,—the sparrow find a place of security over the altar, or the swallow be permitted to “build her brooding nest” above its antique pulpit; altho’ these are striking resemblances of the tranquillity and peace which the means of grace are to a christian, and which seem to inhabit the house of the Deity.
But the sentiment which this venerable place impressed was in some measure checked by its disuse, divine service being only celebrated within its walls twice a year.
Since the foregoing account was written, the author of these Memorials has the pleasure to record that regular service was commenced in this church on Sunday, June 19, 1836, which will form a great convenience to the increasing population of the neighbourhood. Nine new oak pews have been subsequently erected within its walls, from a design by Mr. Carline, and at the expence of the Reverend Richard Scott, B. D. who has also contributed a sum that will, with the letting of the pews, further increase the stipend of a minister. Much has been very justly said against the deformity which the introduction of pews has rendered to churches; those, however, placed in this structure meet every objection, and are perfect models of what pews should be,—fixed forms having backs, but without doors;—adapted for a devotional rather than a lounging posture. On the outside partition of each is a small carved finial, and the whole are in unison with the style of the church and ancient benches still remaining on the south side. A new altar-piece has been placed above the communion-table: the latter was presented by an inhabitant of the parish, and the former by Mr. Scott.
The dimensions of the church are—nave 45 feet by 36, chancel 20 feet by 15, total length 65 feet. The font is the upper portion of a Norman pillar with the capital hollowed, and originally belonged to the Abbey church.
It may be mentioned, that after the monks of Shrewsbury had obtained possession of the bones of St. Wenefrede in 1137, those precious relics were deposited on the altar of this church, until a shrine worthy their reception could be prepared in the Abbey.