Twoweeks ago, we looked at the growing need for a church at Westwood and how that came about, culminating in the laying of the foundation stone in 1842 and the celebrations that took place. Today, we fast forward to the consecration of the church by the Right Reverend Henry Pepys, Bishop of Worcester, on July 25th, 1844. The following extracts are taken from an account printed in the “Coventry Standard” the next day.
CONSECRATION OF ST JOHN’S CHURCH, WESTWOOD HEATH
“This church was consecrated yesterday by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese. It is a handsome structure in the decorated style, from the designs of Messrs. Scott and Moffat, built by Messrs. Bradshaw and Platt, of free stone, and capable of holding 300 persons….The stone was given by Lord Leigh, from his quarry near Gibbet Hill.
The day, being fine, drew a large concourse of persons to the spot, many of whom could not obtain admittance. Two large booths were erected in a field near the church: one for the accommodation of the clergy, who were provided with refreshments at the expense of the worthy vicar (i.e. of Stoneleigh), the Rev. Vaughan Thomas. About 117 farmers, tenants of Lord Leigh for the most part, sat down in the other, to some good old English fare, provided by Lord Leigh and supplied by Mr Bursell, of the King’s Arms Hotel, Kenilworth. The edibles and wines were excellent and served up in good style.”
The newspaper reports the robing of the clergy in a nearby tent, followed by their procession, two by two into the church, with the Bishop following. The report continued,
“The bishop preached an appropriate sermon from II Matthew, verse 5: “The poor have the gospel preached to them”.”
The report lists some of the great and the good who attended, including of course Lord and Lady Leigh and family and the MP, Mr C.B. Adderley.
The report concludes by saying,
“The proceedings of this day dwarfed those of the laying of the foundation stone, which had been a simple village gathering, and it must have been a memorable day in the village annals. One wishes that the 117 fortunate farmers had provided, in their turn, a homely dinner, or tea, for the agricultural labourers of Westwood.”
Source:
C.F. Neale. Westwood Church Centenary Booklet, 1944.
As ever, please do get in touch with us with your questions, comments and suggestions. We are always on the look-out for old photos and especially keen to hear your memories and recollections of Westwood Heath.
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