The beautiful Parish Church is an early
example of the Perpendicular period of architecture. The Nave,
with its north and south aisles measures some eighty feet in
length and fifty feet in width. The fifteenth century Porch
protects the main entrance door, which is in the south aisle. The
finely proportioned Chancel measures forty feet by twenty feet.
At the west end of the church is the Tower, which has watched
over the village for nearly 700 years.
Architecture
It is sixty-four feet high and accommodates a
Belfry and an interesting Clock dating from 1830. The 14th
century Nave arcades consist of five bays; the arches are wide
and double-chamfered, the bases of the pillars are of Norman
work. The wooden beams in the Nave roof are decoratively painted
in red and green. The nave clerestory was a 15th century
addition, as was the pretty 3-light window situated high above
the Chancel arch. This window was originally external, but now
opens into the Chancel owing to the roof of the Chancel being
raised in 1872. The Chancel was rebuilt a hundred years ago. It
is brightly lit by six 3-light windows of clear glass with small
panels of German, Swiss and Dutch stained glass. There are also
two important examples of English work dated 1535. The Chancel
contains, on the south wall, a small Priest's Door dating from
the 14th century. The Vestry was originally sited to the north of
the Chancel. It was demolished in 1901 and removed to the base of
the Tower at the west end of the church. The Sanctuary contains a
very finely proportioned Altar with a gilded carving of the Lamb
of God together with some heraldic designs. There is an Aumbry in
the souith wall of the Chancel with 14th century carved doors.
Just inside the Entrance Door is the Baptistry. The Font is 14th
century with an octagonal bowl and shaft. Seven sides of the bowl
are flatly carved with ogee arches;the eighth side has one
quatrefoil in a circle. Near the Font is a modern Brass of Canon
Mowbray Smith who was the Vicar of Wisbech St Mary for nearly
forty years. Canon Smith's avowed intention was to turn a
newly-restored plain building into the "most beautiful and
dignified house in the village". He achieved his aim, and the
church is indeed now one of the most beautiful churches in the
Diocese of Ely. The Churchyard altar tombs date from 18th century,
and the gravestones from 17th century (the earliest of which is 1626).
Access
Sadly, it is not possible to leave the church
unlocked, but visitors are very welcome, and directions for
obtaining access to the church are displayed inside the
Porch.
THE PARISH CHURCH OF GUYHIRN AND RING'S END
General
Designed by the eminent architect Sir
Gilbert Scott Guyhirn church is simple and unpretentious yet it
has several features that are worth mentioning.
The style is Early English and the
building has a lofty nave with north and south transepts. At the
west end is a quaint bell-turret containing three bells supplied
from Messrs Warner and Sons foundry. The church is built of
Whittlesey brick with Ancaster stone dressing. Pitch pine was
used in the roof and nave, and the porch was made of
oak.
The
windows are lancet-headed in pairs under single arches and are
predominantly clear or opaque glass. The three-light east window
contains stained-glass memorials to the Marriott family who are
interred in Wisbech St Mary churchyard, and the infant son of the
first vicar of Guyhirn with Rings End, the Revd William
Carpenter. Above the east window is a very finely decorated
Victorian rose window.
When it
was built there was seating for 350. The cost of building the
church was £3,600 raised mainly from private donations
including £1,500 from the Dean of Edinburgh a friend of
Scott and Scott's brother who was Vicar of Wisbech. Donations
were also received from the Dukes of Somerset, Bedford and
Rutland, and from the Bishops of Ely and Winchester. Further
expenditure was incurred because the building was erected on soft
clay and settlement was immediately a
problem.
A typically large Victorian vicarage
was built next door to the
church.
The
Dean of Edinburgh laid a foundation stone in June 1877. The
consecration service in September 1878 was held amidst great
rejoicing in the parish. A sumptuous luncheon for 117 people was
held in a "large tent" after the
service.
The
village war memorial stands in the church
grounds.
An architect's survey in 2002 found that the building
needed a very large sum of money spending on it to repair serious faults,
particularly in the chancel. The very small congregation was not able to raise
an amount in excess of £100,000, and reluctantly services were suspended in
2003. The church has been cleared of all its furnishings and has now
been declared redundant and awaits it's fate.
