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Notes
on the History of Ordsall Parish - 2.a
R.F.
Wilkinson, Rector of Ordsall 1925-1941. From
the pages of Ordsall Parish magazine.
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2)
Description of the Church
a)
Windows
The Church
There is no mention in
the Doomsday Book of a Church at Ordsall.
In the county the total
number of Churches recorded in the Survey of 1085 is 84, and it is interesting
to know that there were Churches at Elkesley, Fledborough, Gringley, Grove,
Lanehan, Misterton, E[ast] Markham, Osberton, and Hampton, even in those early
days which were probably built in Saxon times.
The Norman door and
Chancel Arch and Font can still be seen at Laneham, and Saxon herring-bone work
in the walls. When Ordsall Church was restored in 1877, it is said that
fragments of a Norman font were found in the south wall of the nave, but we have
no other evidence of a Norman Church.
The present building
has been altered and restored several times, and was almost completely rebuilt
in 1877, with the exception of the Tower and Nave arcades and side-walls of the
Chancel.
The oldest part of the
Church, as we see it to-day, is to he found in the pillars and arches of the
North Aisle. Two of the capitals at the top of the pillars have the nail-head
ornament, which is usually found in the Early English style. One column in the
Vestry at the east end of the North Aisle is in the style known as “banded
Early English.” Possibly this side chapel was built first, and the North Aisle
added afterwards.
The South Arcade
consists of four bays, and seems to be later in date, and was probably built
about 1250. The pillars are hexagonal, except one in the South Aisle, which has
four shafts attached.
The
Windows
The
windows are chiefly in the Decorated style which prevailed in England about
l350. The Aisle windows are square-headed with tracery at the top, which is a
convenient form for side-aisles, and is found in many Churches in the county.
Most of the tracery was renewed in 1877.
Originally,
the roof was higher, and there was a clerestory with small windows above the
Nave Arcades. Nearly all Churches had this important feature, which was designed
to give extra light, and the absence of a clerestory in this case makes the
Church very dark. The North and South Chancel windows are plain three-light, and
the old East window was similar in design.
[The
East Window]
The
latter was removed in 1877 to make room for the large five-light window in an
elaborate Decorated style. For this reason the Chancel roof was raised much
higher than the Nave, which greatly detracts from the appearance of the Church
on the outside.
The
large east window contains an inscription: “In gloriam Dei in memoriam Josephi
Rodgers qui duo et octoginta annos natus tertio die Decembris anno dom:
MDCCCLXVII in Sheffieldić Vico Mortem obiit. Hanc fenestram Robertus Newbold.
Dedit. Dicavit. Dedicavit.”
(“ To the glory
of God and in memory of Joseph Rodgers, who was born 82 years ago and died in
the neighbourhood of Sheffield on December 3rd, 1867. Robert Newbold gave,
ordered and dedicated this window.”)
In
the centre is a picture of the Resurrection, with the inscription : “I am the
Resurrection and the Life. He that believeth on me, though he were dead yet
shall he live. John xi, 25.”
On
the left is the healing of the blind man: “Go thy way, thy faith hath made
thee whole. Mark 10, 52.”
On
the right the blind man testifies to the Jews, with the words, “One thing 1
know, that whereas I was blind, now I see. John 9, 25.”
Above
is the Ascension in centre, while on the left is Moses holding the two tablets
of stone, and on the right is St. John with his vision of Heaven.
Mr.
Newbold lived at “The Biggins,” now Ordsall Hall, and gave the window in
memory of his relative, who was director of a Sheffield cutlery firm. The window
is by Camm Brothers.
South
Chancel
“To
the glory of God and in memory of Timothy and Ellen Flint and of their relatives
who lie at rest in this churchyard. A.D. 1923.” The window represents the
history of the Church in Nottinghamshire.
On
the left, St. Paulinus, holding a model of York Minster, which he founded in
A.D. 627. Our Church was in the Diocese of York until 1837, when it was made
part of Lincoln.
On
the right, St. Hugh of Lincoln with his favourite swan.
In
the centre, the figure of the Virgin holding a book, representing the present
St. Mary’s Cathedral at Southwell. The window is a very good one by Powell.
North
Chancel
“For
the adornment of the House of God and in memory of Joseph and Catherine Hall,
who were married in this Church on the 4th of June, 1696. This window is dedicated
by Sir John Hall, K.C.M.O., of New Zealand. A.D. 1905.” The window represents
the Marriage Feast at Cana. Joseph Hall was the son of a shipping,merchant in
Hull and married Catherine Pigot, daughter of the Rector of Ordsall in 1696. Sir
John Hall, of Hororata, Canterbury, New Zealand, came over to visit the places
in England connected with his ancestors and gave this window to Ordsall Church.
It is by Kempe.
Vestry
“In
most loving memory of Betsy Witton, the wife of George Marshall, of Mount
Vernon, Ordsall. She died 1st September, 1881,
and
was buried in the Cemetery, Retford.”
“In
whom we have redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
in
the upper part of the window are three ~angels with scrolls: ‘So Christ was
once offered 1to bear the sins of many.”
The
window is three-light, and retains its ancient tracery in the Decorated Style.
The stained glass is by Camm Brothers, and is a picture of the Crucifixion. Mr.
Marshall was a well known Solicitor in Retford at that time, and was Mayor in
the Jubilee Year, 1887. The house was afterwards the property of the Eddison
family, and is now a nursing home.
North
aisle.
“To
the Glory of God and in loving memory of John Christopher Payne, for 21 years
Church-warden of this parish, and also of Caroline Elizabeth, his wife, who both
died in Florida, U.S., the former July 15th, 1889, and the latter September
10th, 1889. Erected by their nephew, Robt. Frederick Lee, January 1890.”
The
window contains three medallions with pictures of St. John, St. Christopher, and
St. Elizabeth. St. John the Evangelist is depicted in the traditional manner,
holding a chalice with a dragon coining out of it, There was an ancient
tradition that a priest of Diana’s Temple challenged St. John to drink a cup
of poison. But when the Saint took the cup in his hands, and made the sign of
the Cross, Satan arose from it and flew away in the form of a dragon.
St.
Christopher is carrying the Holy Child upon his shoulder across a stream. He was
the Patron Saint of travellers, and the story of his journey is well known. This
picture was often painted on the walls of medićval Churches. The Saint carries
a palm tree as a staff, and a pilgrim can be seen waiting on the bank of the
stream.
St.
Elizabeth of Hungary holds the distaff. This was her symbol, as she is said to
have spent her time and money in spinning and working for the poor people of her
country who came to her castle. She married Ludwig of Thuringia in 1220.
Her husband died in the Crusades, and she became the Saint of mercy and
charity. There is a beautiful modern statue of her in Blakeney Church, Norfolk.
Mr.
Payne was a farmer and auctioneer, who lived at West Hill Farm. He began the
Cattle Market near the station, and eventually went to join his sons, Samuel and
Arthur, in Florida, where they had a fruit farm. There were also two daughters,
Mary and Margaret, and the youngest went abroad with them.
North
aisle.
“To
the Glory of God and in loving memory of Julie Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas
Brough, of Liverpool, who died at Torquay on 19th July, 1881, and is there
interred, aged 26.”
“Suffer
little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not : for of such is the
kingdom of God.—Mark, x chapter, xiv verse.”
The
window contains a figure of Christ blessing little children.
South
aisle.
“To
the Glory of God and in loving memory of Louisa, daughter of Thomas Brough, of
Liverpool, who died in the parish of Ordsall, July 17th 1879, and is interred in
the Churchyard, aged 26.”
“I
am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.
—John,
x chapter, ii verse.”
The
window represents the parable of the Good Shepherd.
Mrs.
Brough gave these two windows in memory of her daughters. She was a widow, and
lived in Queen Street, in the house at the corner of the Crescent.
These
windows are by Camm Brothers, Smethwick, Birmingham.
On the S. W. Pillar is a brass plate.—
This
Church
Dedicated
to All Hallows’
and
Founded in Norman Times
was
re-opened by
Christopher,
Lord Bishop of
Lincoln,
Oct. 31, 1877 A.D.
After
Restoration and Enlargement.
SAMUEL
KELSON STOTHERT, Rector.
SAMUEL
JONES Churchwardens.
JAMES
RADCLIFFE
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