The era of subscriptions raised the rate of church expenses enormously, as has been seen in the 1840 renovation. In 1876 the rough-casting of the church outside was done by subscription, and contracted for at £30; £70 13s. 01⁄2 d. being altogether expended upon that and new spouts and painting clock, a sum which should be compared with the cost on previous occasions.
The Rev. E. Jefferies, who was the first rector—certainly after the days of Dr. Fleming—to take a zealous interest in the fabric, reconstructed in 1841 the entire east wall at his own expense.[153] He also presented the two carved chairs that stand within the sanctuary. He made with his own hands a communion-table[154] and foot-stools; the latter remain.
Another great renovation was carried out in 1879-80 under Mr. Fletcher. Like the last, its cost was defrayed by offerings (£660), and much of the work done in 1840 was now undone. The deal pews were cleared away and the existing oak benches substituted—Grasmere workmen being employed. The tower arch was again opened out, and the font replaced. A vestry was partitioned off the north-east angle of the church, which was formerly known as the Langdale choir. New pulpit, font-cover, communion-table, and Litany-desk were provided in 1884, and five years later the lectern was given by Miss Agar, of Silverhow, in memory of her aunt. The alms-dishes that hang on the south wall were found a few years ago in the old tithe-barn, which has been turned into a parish-room.
Old Collecting Plate with Handle.
The Churchyard.
From the Restoration there is evidence that the garth outside the church was cared for. It was surrounded, as we have seen, with stout rough-cast walls, which were divided among the townships for upkeep. The space within them was not strictly divided, yet the older graves show that there was an inclination for each township to lay its dead adjacent to its own gateway and stretch of wall. The keeping in order of the grassy space, with its ever-increasing mounds, fell to the general charge. An item stands in 1673, "For dresing weeds out of ye Church yard," 1s. 6d.; and a charge becomes frequent for "repairing church-yard walks, 4s. 6d.," or "cleaning church-yard," 2s. 6d. Three days at this in 1631 cost 6s. 9d.
Grasmere township paid in 1661 "For our P't of the Dyell" 1s. This must have proved an unsatisfactory time-teller, as in 1683 4s. was paid "For a diall & post." A post alone cost, in 1732, 1s. 9d., and again in 1743 a new dial-post was fixed at 3s. 9d.