The north and south chapels of the choir are separated from the transepts by remarkably handsome carved screens; in the windows are paintings representing the history of the apostles, and also very splendid remnants of stained glass, portraying the story of the ring presented by some pilgrims to Edward the Confessor, who, as “The Chronicles” relate, “was warned of his death certain days before he died by a ring that was brought him by certain pilgrims, which ring he had secretly given to a poor man that asked his charity in the name of God and St. John the Evangelist. These pilgrims, as the legend recites, were men of Ludlow.” The ceiling is of oak resting on corbels, which spring from highly decorated figures of angels bearing shields. The extreme length from east to west is 203 feet, and the breadth across the transepts measures 130 feet. The tower rises 131 feet in height, forming a prominent object, and gives considerable beauty to many prospects from the neighbouring country. In the church there are two highly finished effigies of Judge Bridgeman and his lady, but much mutilated. The head of the tomb was opened in 1805 (on sinking a grave for the body of Mrs. Turner) when the hair of both Sir John and his lady was found perfectly entire; the coffins mouldered on exposure to the air. In the high chancel is a large Grecian monument displaying an elegant sculptured cherub and emblems of time and eternity, in memory of Theophilus Salwey, Esq., who died in 1760. A handsome altar tomb of white marble has recumbent effigies of chief Justice Waiter and his lady; and on the front are figures representing their issue. Judge Walter died in 1592. Within the communion rails is a tomb in memory of Sir Robert Townsend and his lady, with two full length figures, and surrounding the base stand their children. Dame Mary Evre, who died in 1612, has a tomb erected to her memory, at the back of which are the armorial bearings of the family. Upon the tomb is a recumbent figure resting on a cushion, habited in the dress of the times and the head covered with a hood. In various parts of the building will be found several interesting tablets and mural monuments. Though not collegiate the church of St. Lawrence anciently possessed a chantry of ten priests, maintained by the rich guild of St. John, who gave to its choral services the splendour of a cathedral. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £19. 12s. 6d., now returned at £160 in the patronage of the lord chancellor. The tithes have been commuted for £23. 13s. 6d. Ecclesiastical courts are held here for granting probates of wills and letters of administration.
The Independent Chapel, situated in Old street, is a neat structure capable of accommodating upwards of three hundred persons, and was erected in 1830. The congregation formerly assembled for divine worship in a chapel still standing, situate on the banks of the river, near the bottom of Corve street. Before the erection of this fabric, in which they continued to meet for nearly a century, the dissenters conducted their religious services in a licensed dwelling house, where, in the early part of 1731, they were furiously assailed by a mob. This vain attempt to crush them led to the erection of the first dissenting house in the borough. The Rev. Theophilus Davies is the pastor of the congregation.
The Methodist Chapel, a plain structure situated in Lower Broad street, was enlarged in 1835, and is now capable of holding about five hundred hearers. The Primitive Methodist Chapel, situated in Old street, is a substantial building erected in 1836, and has accommodation for upwards of three hundred worshippers.
The Boys’ National School is held in a spacious room over the Market Cross; and the Girls’ School is held in a house in Brand lane. They are supported by voluntary subscriptions and charitable benefactions: the latter will be found noticed with the general charities of the borough. The gross income for the year 1850 was £155. 16s. 3d.
The Savings’ Bank, held in the public buildings, Castle street, was established in 1816. On November 20th, 1850, the total number of accounts was 1,939, of which twenty-three were charitable societies and eighteen friendly societies. The capital stock of the bank at the same period amounted to £70,958. 18s. 4d. The respective balances of 961 depositors did not exceed £20; 543 were above that sum and not exceeding £50; 231 not exceeding £100; 96 not exceeding £150; 62 not exceeding £200; and five accounts exceeded the latter sum. Mr. John Williams, actuary.
The Ludlow County Court, for law proceedings in actions and claims not exceeding £50, embraces the following places, viz., Abdon, Ashford Bowdler, Ashford Carbonell, Aston, Acton Scott, Bitterley, Bromfield, Burrington, Cainham, Clee St. Margaret, Cold Weston, Culmington, Diddlebury, Downton, Elton, Halford, Heath, Holdgate, Hope Baggot, Hopton Cangeford, Leinthall Starkes, Leintwardine, Ludford, Munslow, Onibury, Richards Castle, St. Lawrence Ludlow, Sibdon Carwood, Stanton Lacy, Stoke St. Milborough, Stoke Say, Tugford, Wigmore and Wistanston. Judge, Uvedale Corbett, Esq.; Clerk, John Williams, Esq.; High Bailiff, William Davies.
The Ludlow Library, and Mechanics’ Institution, established in 1841, is held in one of the rooms of the market hall, the use of which has been granted by the corporation. The institution has an interesting library of nearly 300 volumes. Mr. George Cocking is the secretary.
The Public Rooms, situated in Castle street, were erected in 1840 by a company of shareholders. One portion is set apart for the Ludlow Natural History Society, where there is deposited a choice and valuable collection of fossils, British and foreign birds and animals, &c. This institution was established in 1834. There is also a spacious and elegant Assembly Room, and another for magisterial purposes, besides a Reading Room well supplied with the principal London and provincial journals. The Market Cross is a neat edifice, with a cupola, where butter and other productions are sold on the market days. The Market House is a plain brick building in Castle street, containing large and convenient rooms for the meetings of the corporation.
The Dispensary is supported by voluntary subscriptions, a collection made in Ludlow church every alternate year, and the dividends of certain charitable bequests. The number of patients cured or relieved during the year 1851 was 279. Mr. H. Hodges, consulting surgeon; and Mr. Harley, dispenser. The Lying-in Institution was established in 1810, since which 3,561 persons have been relieved and visited, under the direction of the managing directors.
The Gas Works. The Union Gas Works were established in 1840 by a company of shareholders with a capital stock of £3,050. The old gas works are situated on the road to the Clee Hill.