|
 |
| * # |
1588 |
Melverley, Shropshire |
| |
1610 |
Worth, Sussex |
| |
1610 |
Wolverhampton |
| * |
1611 |
Lyme Regis,
Dorset |
| |
1616 |
Ashford, Kent |
| |
1619 |
Braunton, Devon |
| * |
1620 |
Sidbury, Devon |
| |
1621 |
Whitestone, Devon |
| * |
1622 |
Old Woking, Surrey |
| |
1623 |
North Petherton, Somerset |
| * |
1627 |
Newdigate, Surrey |
| |
1631 |
St. Mary's, Reading, Berks |
| * |
1632 |
Kentisbeare, Devon |
| * |
1632 |
Odiham, Hants |
| * |
1633 |
St. Saviour, Dartmouth, Devon |
| *# |
1634 |
Dorney, Bucks |
| |
1634 |
Moreton Say, Shropshire |
| * # |
1635 |
Puddletown, Dorset |
| |
1635 |
East Brent, Somerset |
| |
1637 |
Ashford, Kent |
| |
1637 |
Wilby, Norfolk |
| |
1637 |
Berrow, Somerset |
| |
1638 |
Warborough (Berks or
Oxon??) |
| |
1657 |
Sandford, Devon |
| |
1662 |
Burford Chapel, Oxon |
| # |
1676 |
Berrick Salome, Oxon
|
| |
1693 |
Northmoor, Oxon |
| * |
1701 |
Winterbourne Abbas, Dorset (north gallery) |
| * |
1703 |
Northolt,
Middlesex |
| |
1704 |
Lambourne, Essex |
| |
1705 |
St. Leonard, Deal, Kent
(NB
"looks earlier" - Pevsner) |
| |
1706 |
Portsmouth Cathedral, Hants |
| |
1706 |
Seend, Wilts |
| * |
1708 |
Winterborne Steepleton, Dorset |
| # |
1711 |
Cameley, Somerset |
| * # |
1716 |
Abbott's Ann,
Hampshire |
| * # |
1719 |
Rushton Spencer, Staffs |
| |
1726 |
Seend, Wilts |
| |
1726 |
Hope Bagot, Shropshire |
| |
1730 |
Crosscanonby, Cumbria |
| * |
1733 |
Bishop's Waltham, Hants |
| |
1734 |
Silverton, Devon |
| |
1736 |
Ribchester, Lancs |
| * # |
1738 |
Bramley, Hants |
| * |
1748 |
Shere, Surrey |
| |
1750 |
Selworthy, Somerset |
| * |
1754 |
Sidbury, Devon |
| |
1754 |
North Cerney, Glos |
| |
1756 |
St Andrew, Chichester, Sussex |
| |
1761 |
Chearsley, Bucks |
| |
1767 |
Holme-upon-Spaldingmoor, Yorks |
| |
1771 |
Trentishoe, Devon |
| * # |
1771 |
Avington, Hants |
| # |
1792 |
Morden, Surrey |
| * |
1794 |
Blandford Forum, Dorset |
| * |
1802 |
Feltham, Middlesex |
| * |
1808 |
Abbotsbury, Dorset |
| * |
1812 |
Froyle, Hants |
|
|
NB: - References in these columns are by modern
Counties |
| ENGLAND |
| BEDFORDSHIRE
|
| Harrold |
New west gallery and organ now
replace the old west galleries removed in 1904/5. |
| Odell * |
1637 |
| Wrestlingworth |
Early C19th. |
| Blunham |
Baptist Chapel with west gallery (fairly modern). |
| BERKSHIRE
|
| Besselsleigh |
17th/18th C.
No ref. in Pevsner. |
|
Buckland |
Jacobean balustraded tower gallery. |
| Bucklebury * # |
West gallery 19th C. ?
(BP) |
| Hamstead Marshall |
West gallery 17th C. (or 18th. C) |
| Little Coxwell
* |
Gallery with remains of former rood
screen. |
| Newbury |
Modern
church,west gallery |
Reading, St. Mary's
|
"Above is a good carved gallery
erected in 1631 and extending one bay eastwards at that time. It was moved back
in 1864 when the organ was moved to the north transept." (Churches of the Thames Valley) (NB Pevsner says 1631
screen.) |
| Windsor,
St John Baptist |
Dating from 1822, this church has
west and side galleries supported on cast iron columns. |
| BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
|
| Biddlesden |
Church 1731. Two-storey west gallery,
upper part for the family of the house. |
| Chearsley |
1761 west gallery. |
| Dorney * # |
"West gallery1634 Henry Felo" on
centre panel = Henry Fellows. Gallery still used by singers and musicians.
Box-pews. |
| Dunton * # |
Late C18th. "Humble, with many
inscriptions, including two in Greek." (Pevsner.) Box-pews. |
| Ibstone |
(NB No ref. in Pevsner) |
| Ickford |
Church 17th C. West
gallery projecting on two columns.
|
| Langley * |
1811 minstrels' gallery at west end
of north aisle; now holds organ, bought in 1865. |
| Loudwater |
Church 1788. "Three pretty galleries"
(Pevsner.) |
| Nether Winchendon |
C18th. (Another source says C17th.)
|
| Newton Blossomville |
C18th.
No ref. in Pevsner. |
Thornton
|
C19th. "All but rebuilt circa 1850...the effect...due to the use of plenty of
old materials is not Victorian." |
| CAMBRIDGESHIRE
|
| Bottisham |
West gallery 1839.
(RCHME)
No ref. in
Pevsner. |
| Conington |
West gallery18th C., nave 1737.
(RCHME)
No ref. in
Pevsner. |
| Gamlingay |
C17th.
(RCHME)
Made up of parts, probably of
a parclose screen. |
| Wimpole |
1749. Turned balusters. |
| Trumpington |
Modern
west gallery, post 1950 with splat balusters; for organ. |
| Tushingham |
1689-91. West gallery with outside
stair. Gallery possibly circa 1821, as in that year the owner of the manor,
Daniel Vawdrey, offered to pay for its construction. (Chatfield) |
Wimpole
|
Church 1749; West
gallery with turned balusters. (RCHME)
Church rebuilt 1749, and again largely rebuilt in
1887. "Inside survives little of the good manners
of the 18th C., and the west gallery of 1887 with its
elephantiasis of Gothic forms leaves one
bewildered." (Pevsner)
|
| CHESHIRE
|
| Alderley |
18th
C west gallery. |
| Ashton-on-Mersey |
West
gallery mostly 18th C. "Massive
gallery". (AM) |
| Baddiley |
17th/18th C west gallery |
| Chelford |
Box-pews in a predominantly 1776
church |
| Cholmondeley |
Family
pew, screen, altar rails, galleries and box-pews. (AM) |
| Congleton,
St Peter's |
Church 1742. Three galleries.
# |
| Hoole |
|
| Mobberley |
Jacobean
gallery. (AM) |
| Nether Tabley |
Chapel
1675 (moved 1928) –
complete furnishings including west gallery |
| Siddington |
|
|
Stockport,
St. Mary’s
|
"Galleries" |
| Stockport,
St Thomas |
Church 1825.
Galleries in three sides |
| Threapwood |
Church 1815 Three galleries. |
Tushingham
|
Church 1689-91. West gallery with outside
stair. Gallery possibly circa 1821, as in that year the owner of the manor,
Daniel Vawdrey, offered to pay for its construction. (Chatfield) |
| Wrenbury |
West gallery, date?? |
| CORNWALL
|
| Boconnoc |
West gallery 17th C. (NB No ref. in Pevsner.)
|
| Helston, St. Michael |
Church 1762. Three galleries; stair in 1830
porch. |
| Torpoint |
Church 1819. Gallery on iron columns. |
| Truro, St. John's |
Church 1828, with west gallery. |
| CUMBRIA
|
| Crosscanonby |
West gallery 1730 |
| Edenhall |
West gallery 17th C. |
| Millom |
"Organ in old
gallery." (AM) |
| Penrith |
"Panelled
gallery." (AM) |
| Whitehaven |
Church 1752-3.
Galleries |
| DERBYSHIRE
|
| Barlow |
Outside stair to gallery. |
| Dale Abbey * # |
C17th. Outside stair to gallery. |
| Foremark |
Church 1662, west gallery
1819.
# |
|
Shirley |
West tower 1861, N aisle 1842. “The
west gallery on cast-iron columns and the box-pews no doubt
of 1842” (Pevsner)
|
| Winster |
Tower 1711, church rebuilt
1883. (Info from Rosie Strauss,
WGMA) |
| DEVON
|
| Branscombe * # |
West gallery "one of the finest and
earliest to be erected in any English parish church, together with a unique
stone staircase from the outside of the building to give it access."
(Church Guide) NB - The outside stair is
far from "unique"! |
| Braunton |
1619 Jacobean. "organ
gallery" (Pevsner.) |
| Broadhembury |
Has 19th C west gallery with organ.
1845 west gallery to south aisle built as a private pew. |
| Buckerell * # |
West gallery built for organ in
1907. |
| Cullompton * |
West gallery 1637. 16 figures = four
evangelists and 12 apostles. Organ installed 1826. Second gallery at west end
of Lane's aisle removed 1850. |
| Dartmouth, St. Petrox * |
Church rebuilt 1641. Jacobean gallery front
with turned balusters lines tower and has been used as a war memorial. |
| Dartmouth, St. Saviour * |
West gallery 1633. Woodwork said to have come from
a Spanish galleon; seems doubtful. |
| Dunsford |
18th C.
No ref. in Pevsner. |
| Exeter,
St. Martin's |
17th/18th C. west gallery has arms of
Bishop Trelawney (1688-1707) as well as Royal Arms. |
| Gittisham * # |
C18th.
No ref. in
Pevsner. First
used on Good Friday 1701 (? - check date.) Box-pews. |
| Kentisbeare * |
West gallery 1632, repainted 1704.
Given by Anstice Wescombe, wife of Robert Wescombe. Verses painted on the
front;
|
Anstice late wife of
Robert Wescombe here
Built this loft in the Church of Kentisbeare,
For
the convenient hearing of the Word
And praising of the true and living Lord
She also gave the proffit of the same
Unto the poor in memory of her
name.
The donors are deceased and all we
Who now survive then their
good acts do see.
Wich if they should be quickly out of mind
Discourage
'twill the piously inclined.
The reason why these lines are set to view
It is because the poor should have their due.
|
|
|
| Molland # |
C18th. No ref. in Pevsner. |
| Rockbeare |
Elizabethan parapet to gallery. |
| Sandford |
1657 Jacobean, "yet the form still
purely Jacobean". Returned a little down both aisles. (Pev.) |
| Sidbury * |
Gallery built 1620, extended 1754.
Possible outside stair. |
| Silverton
* |
Gallery 1734. 1763 upper gallery built for
choir and orchestra. Removed 1860. Also removed gallery at east end of south
aisle. |
| Tiverton St
George |
Built 1714-1716 for dissenters used as warehouse instead
fitted out 1727 -33 for Anglicans.Yellow sandstone symmetrical north &south
doors shallow chancel & low West tower. Barrel vault ceiling Segmental
coffering over altar 3 galleries west added 1842 when other 2altered.
Columns with piers above galleries with Ionic capitals.3 sided graceful.
Communion rails, panelling round chancel, pillastered ionic pieces flank
pedimented panels containing inscriptions. Cartouche with lion mask and
Diocesan arms is original on west gallery. |
| Trentishoe |
Gallery 1771. Hole in gallery
panelling for bow of double bass. |
| Upton Pyne |
In tower arch with 18th C. balustrade.
|
| Whitestone, |
1621 Jacobean . . . " yet still
entirely Elizabethan in style, on turned baluster columns." (Pevsner.) |
| DORSET
|
| Abbotsbury * |
North gallery removed 1885. 1808 west
gallery survives. |
| Blandford Forum * # |
1794 gallery built for new organ -
date on Royal Arms in centre. Extended 1819 and 1837. Extensions removed
1971. Box-pews. |
| Castleton (Sherborne) |
Church 1715. West gallery + reused Jacobean
stair. |
| Chalbury # |
Late 18th C. west gallery etc.
Box-pews. |
| Longham |
Congregational Chapel 1841 with west
gallery. |
| Lyme Regis * |
1611 west gallery. N and S galleries
removed 1885.
|
IOHN HASSARD BUILT THIS TO THE GLORIE
OF ALMIGHTIE GOD IN THE EIGHTIETH YEARE OF HIS AGE ANO DOMINI 1611
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional words "seven times Mayor" have
been lost. |
|
|
| Poole |
Church 1820. Galleries. |
| Portland |
Church 1777. West gallery and transept galleries.
|
| Puddletown * # |
1635 With turned
balusters.
Archbishop Laud's visitation led to the conclusion that a
pillar needed strengthening, the seats were not decent and were much decayed,
and more seating was needed. A meeting of parishioners on August 10th 1634
decided to reseat the church throughout, strengthen the pillar and arch, make a
pulpit and prayer desk, provide a communion table and rails, build a west
gallery with seats, and provide a new font cover. All of these furnishings
still survive in situ. The estimated cost of £130 was to be raised by
subscriptions, by a levy of 5/- on seat holders, and by "five ordinary single
rates." A 1637 seating plan survives, when the sexes were segregated. Another
of 1679 shows them no longer separated. The gallery was intended for extra
seating, but for a long time served as a musicians' gallery.
Puddletown
= Weatherbury in Hardy's novels. Hardy says that his grandfather when a young
man, before 1800, lived in Puddletown and played violoncello
in church. He
later became a member of the Stinsford choir, by which time Puddletown had
eight instrumentalists and Stinsford only four, all Hardys. Hardy's father told
him that at Puddletown "in the time of the violin, oboe and clarionet players,
Tom Sherren used to copy tunes during the sermon." In 1845 a barrel organ was
introduced and the band (two clarionets, a piccolo, a bassoon, and two bass
viols) dispensed with. In 1852 a small manual organ replaced the barrel organ,
which was sold to Bere Regis. The present organ was built 1906 and stands in
the gallery, which is still used by the choir. |
| Tarrant Rawston |
West gallery.
(Dorset churches leaflet) |
| West Stafford * # |
ca. 1640. Fittings include
a west
gallery. (NB some sources say gallery 18th C.) |
| Winterborne Steepleton * # |
West gallery 1708, with turned
balusters. |
| Winterborne Tomson * # |
Early 18th C. furnishings,
including a west
gallery. Gallery is re-sited rood loft; reached by ladder.
Box-pews. |
| Winterbourne Abbas * |
1701 north gallery, which now
houses the organ. |
| COUNTY DURHAM
|
| *Durham, St. Mary-le-Bow |
1741 (now a museum) |
| ESSEX
|
| Alresford |
"Nice west
gallery with twisted balusters, 18th C."
(Pevsner) |
| Belchamp
Otten, EC 19 |
Box-pews
and North-west gallery. (Pevsner) |
| Billericay |
Late
18th C. interior, with three galleries and other
fittings.
(Pevsner) |
| Boxted |
1836 west gallery, on
cast-iron columns. (Pevsner) |
| Chingford |
Church
1844, enlarged 1903, with west gallery. (Pevsner) |
| Chipping
Ongar |
The chancel and nave date from the 11th century. The
original date of the west gallery is not recorded, but it
appears to have been in existence before 1752 - 53, when other
work was being carried out. The gallery was rebuilt in
1860, and in 1896 a new organ was positioned on it and the
choir moved to the chancel.
"Nice
west gallery on two Tuscan columns"
(Pevsner)
|
| Colchester,
St Botolph |
Church
1837, with galleries. (Pevsner) |
| Colchester,
St Giles [now redundant] |
Interior
of church 1819, including the west gallery
(Pevsner) |
| Colchester,
St Peter |
Church
dates from the 18th C. and has North and South
galleries. (Pevsner) |
| Danbury |
"In the tower arch....is a pretty
gallery of circa 1600" (Pev) |
| East Horndon |
Early 17th C galleries.
"Balconie or galleries divide the narrow transepts into
two storeys." (Pevsner) |
| Harwich,
St Nicholas |
Church built 1821 with three
galleries. West gallery contains the organ which
was built for it. High pews at west end, pew for Mayor
and Corporation. |
| Lambourne |
Gallery 1704 (gift of London
ironmonger.) |
| Lawford,
EC19 |
North arcade 1826; The north aisle
has "wooden gallery on cast-iron shafts" (Pevsner) |
| North
End, EC19, Black Chapel |
Timber-framed and with Priest's
House attached. West gallery has tiny
organ. (Pevsner) |
| South
Benfleet |
West gallery 1931 by Sir Charles
Nicholson (Pevsner) |
| Stanford
Rivers |
Nave mid-12th C. Chancel 14th
C. West gallery constructed 1817. Bomb damage
1944 and restoration 1948-52. The west gallery was not
taken down, but a partition was was fixed to the front of
it, so converting it into a Parish Room, and no longer
usable as a gallery.
"Bits of tracery [from screen] have been re-used in
the west gallery" (Pevsner) |
| Wanstead |
Church built 1787-90.
Three galleries. (BP) |
| West Bergholt # |
"Rustic C18th gallery" (guide
book) |
| Woodford |
Church 1817.
North and South galleries. (Pevsner) |
| GLOUCESTERSHIRE
|
| Badminton |
Church 1785 |
| Bishop's Cleeve |
C17th. |
| Bristol, St. John's |
C17th. |
| Bristol, St. Thomas the Martyr |
Church 1792-93. West gallery 1728-32
from previous church. |
| Buck land |
C18th |
| Dowdeswell |
Little remaining earlier than the 17th C
internally, but there are two galleries. That at the west
end belonged to the Lord of the Manor, and the smaller
gallery in the north transept to the Rector. Pews face three
ways. Chancel is some 3 ft. above the nave. (TC) |
| Newent * |
Had south and west galleries and
another across chancel and Lady Chapel. Latter taken down 1805. 1839 south and
west galleries rebuilt. South gallery removed 1912. |
| North Cerney * |
West gallery 1754 |
| Westerleigh * |
C18th. |
| HAMPSHIRE
and ISLE OF WIGHT
|
| Abbotts Ann
*# |
Church 1716. West gallery
and box-pews |
| Ashmansworth
*# |
Two tiny west galleries, labelled
"Earl of Portsmouth" and "Rector". Access uncertain. |
| Avington
* # |
Church 1768-71.
Gallery dated 1771. Barrel
organ in gallery and two small original benches. Box-pews. |
| Beaulieu |
C18th? |
| Bishop's Waltham * |
1733 faculty gallery for "the
singers"; the parishioners applied to the Bishop of Winchester for a faculty to
erect a west gallery for "seat room in the church there to sitt together to
sing Psalms". The faculty was issued in 1733 and the gallery built. It still
exists and has eight long seats. The faculty granted to each of the five
applicants the right to one of these seats for their own use and for their
family and tenants. The other three seats were for "the singers of Psalms". The
faculty has never been revoked, so the seats are still available for the
present owners and occupants of the properties of the original applicants.
Organ installed 1734.
1797 gallery built over south aisle; removed 1897, along
with the dormers which had been added to light it.
|
| Boarhunt
# |
Circa 1853.
Furnishings all pitch pine and presumably date from 1853 restoration. Very
old-fashioned.
|
| Bramley * |
1728 decided to build west gallery
"for the young people and servants of the parish". 1884 added Ionic pillars to
strengthen it to take the organ. Gallery still there. One source says 1738.
|
| Bramshaw |
C19th ? 1829 |
| Brockenhurst |
Early C19th |
| Dummer |
C17th. Deep west gallery |
| East Dean |
C18th |
| Farnborough |
C7th."On odd polygonal pillars.
Square balusters to the parapet." (Pevsner.) |
| Froyle |
1812
No
ref. in Pevsner |
| Idsworth |
Well-restored 1912; gallery dates
from then. |
| Kingsley, St. Nicholas |
C18th |
| Lymington |
C18th galleries on Tuscan
columns. |
| Minstead * # |
C18th north and west galleries, 1818
upper west gallery. Dormers to light galleries. In the churchyard on the south
side is a tombstone with a carved serpent above the inscription: "To the memory
of Thomas Maynard who departed this life July 9th 1817 aged 27 years. The Band
of Musicians of the South Hants Yeomanry (of which he was a Member) in
testimony of their esteem caused this stone to be erected." |
| Nateley Scures |
C18th.
No
reference in Pevsner. |
| North Baddesley |
C18th with C20th front |
| Odiham * |
1632. North and south galleries
added 1836, removed 1897.
|
N RIVERS SENIOR GAVE FORTY SHILLINGS
IOHN KEYE AND RICHARD FLORY CHURCHWARDENS 16 32 ALEXSANDER SERLE GAVE AL THE
BALESTERS NOT OF WEALTH BUT OF GOOD WIL THAT OTHE "
|
|
" Gallery originally placed in front of tower; in 1836
cut in two to allow for new central west gallery and moved further back on
either side of tower, losing the inscription at each end. |
| Portsmouth Cathedral |
1706, extended 1750 |
| Portsmouth, St. Anne |
C18th (restored) |
| Southwick, St. James |
C18th. Church 1566. Gallery has
painted panelled front on twisted wooden posts. |
| Stratfield Saye |
C18th |
| Tadley |
"Sturdy late C17th balusters, alas
half sawn-off." (Pevsner.) Possibly same date as
tower, 1685. |
| Yarmouth, IOW * |
Church rebuilt EC17; gallery C18.
|
| HEREFORDSHIRE
|
| Abbey Dore * |
circa 1634 |
| Clodock * # |
Mid to late C17th (or circa 1715.)
Seat backs have short turned balusters; wide stair. "The South section near the
window for the musicians or instrumentalists or orchestra has an oblong music
table in the centre, bevelled at the top to hold the music, and with square
tapering legs. This occupies about a quarter of the gallery. Three-quarters is
given to the minstrels or the village choir; with seats facing the chancel, and
quite steep, one behind the other, so that the singer behind could sing over
the head of the one in front. The seats have moulded edges and backs, ending
with a moulded rail held by a turned pillar or baluster. The gallery has a
moulded front beam, and this is supported by two rectangular posts decorated
with curved furrows. There are delightful panels in the front with a moulded
rail, and underneath smaller plain beams or joists. The staircase leading to it
is very wide, in two flights, and again having a moulded string and handrails
with the turned balusters." (Guidebook)
Box-pews. |
| Croft |
C17th (or early C18th.) Made up of
former family pew. |
| Kilpeck |
C17th |
| Kings Caple |
Pews 1638. E C18th gallery. Organ
added 1850s. |
| Kinsham |
Woodwork simple early C18th. No
specific ref. to gallery or any other items in Pevsner. |
| Sellack |
C17th. "With two tapering Jacobean
posts." (Pevsner) |
| Shobdon |
1752-6.
No ref. to gallery in
Pevsner. |
| Stoke Edith |
No reference in Pevsner. |
| Whitney |
C17th. church mostly rebuilt
1740 after flood, but reused much of old material. (Pevsner)
West gallery and stair.
Turned balusters. If circa 1740, very conservative. |
| KENT
|
| Ashford |
Galleries 1616 and 1637 |
| Brenchley |
Linenfold panelling on front of west
gallery. |
| Deal, St. Leonard |
Gallery 1705, gift of pilots of Deal.
(Pevsner "looks earlier") |
| Dymchurch |
Probably 1821 (church enlarged). |
| Gillingham |
C17th three-sided gallery. |
| Old Romney |
C18th. Complete set of C18th
fittings. Gallery on four sturdy Doric columns. |
| Rolvenden |
circa 1825. "Of the decadent fittings
deplored by 'The Ecclesiologist' nothing remains except the west gallery,
seeming to cave in under the weight of the organ, and a family pew." (Pevsner) |
| Stelling |
Unrestored C18th. Gallery in the
aisle. |
| LANCASHIRE
|
| Billinge |
|
| Pilling Old Church
# |
Church 1717. New west and north
galleries installed 1812-3 |
| Poulton-le-Fylde |
Church 1752-53. Galleries. |
| Tarleton |
1719. Gallery. |
| Urswick |
|
| LEICESTERSHIRE
|
Blaby
|
Gallery circa 1740. Very handsome,
with fluted pillars and in the centre of the parapet there
are three scenes in
inlay. (Pevsner) |
| Breedon-on-the-Hill |
West gallery probably C18th. |
| Kings Norton * # |
Church 1757-61. Early Gothic Revival. West
gallery on Roman Doric columns. (Pevsner)
Box-pews. |
| Stapleford * # |
Church 1783 West gallery is family pew,
complete with fireplace. Pews arranged chapel-wise. |
| Staunton Harrold # |
Church 1653. West gallery with organ.
Organ case dated 1686, but organ itself is earlier. |
| LINCOLNSHIRE.
|
| Allington |
C 17th west gallery. |
| Burton-by-Lincoln |
The 18th C west gallery is a
family pew with fireplace and upholstery |
| Kirkby
Green |
West gallery in church which was
built in 1848 |
| Kirton-in-Holland |
West gallery built in 1907 |
| Langton-by-Partney |
Early C18th (circa 1725.) Stands on
thin fluted columns. |
| Langworth |
West gallery built 1901 and
rebuilt in 1960-62
|
| North
Willingham |
Late 18th C west gallery.
|
| Sausthorpe |
Church built 1842. Box-pews
and west gallery.
|
| Scremby
# |
Church built 1733
with west gallery and box-pews.
|
| Searby |
Church built 1832
with west gallery.
|
| Sutton,
St Edmund # |
West gallery late
18th C. Box-pews
|
| Well |
Church built 1733.
No ref. to gallery in Pevsner.
|
| MIDDLESEX
|
| Cranford * |
West gallery removed as unsafe in
1895, but not enough seats so new gallery put up 1936 for organ and choir. |
| Feltham, St. Dunstan's * |
Church 1802. Gallery has bequests on panels
and the date |
| Greenford |
Early C17th gallery. |
| Little Stanmore |
1715-20. West gallery = Chandos
family pew. |
| Northolt * |
1703 gallery and stair with turned
balusters. Date on board on back of gallery. Gallery built for musicians and
servants. |
| Shepperton * # |
C19th west gallery with external
stair; fold-down seats span central aisle. "Manor House Pew" in north transept,
also with external stair. |
| Twickenham |
Ref in accounts to gallery in
1667. |
| NORFOLK
|
| Aylsham |
C17th. ". . West gallery supported on
arched braces with tracery in the spandrels." (Pevsner) |
| Carbrooke |
West gallery with Royal Arms and
turned balusters. |
| Coltishall |
C17th with twisted
balusters. |
| Downham Market |
C18th, handsome. |
| Foxley |
West gallery (Cautley;)
( no ref. in Pevsner.) |
| Great Ellingham |
C18th "in two stages for choir and
ringers." |
| Great Yarmouth |
1714. Galleries |
| Hockering |
Hanoverian arms on front of
gallery. |
| Norwich, St. George, Colegate |
C18th ? On Tuscan columns.
|
| Reepham, St. Michael |
C17th. Deep west gallery. |
| Terrington St. Clement * |
West screen erected 1788 to support
gallery for choir and band at a cost of £13. 1840-1910 held small
organ. |
| Walpole St. Andrew |
C17th. "Jacobean, simple."
(Pevsner.) |
| Walpole St Peter * # |
Gallery in tower with turned
balusters. |
| Wilby |
1637 West gallery/ringing
chamber within tower; turned balusters. |
| Worstead |
1550 stone ringing gallery
under tower. |
| NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.
|
| Alderton |
West gallery incorporates Perpendicuar. bench
fronts or backs |
| Aynho |
Church 1723-25. "Fine
dignified west gallery on coupled Tuscan
columns." (Pevsner) |
| Harlestone
* |
Late C17th west
gallery - "Fat
vertically symmetrical balusters". (Pevsner)
Gallery very narrow and set very high -
possibly simply for access to ringing chamber. |
| Passenham |
Furnishings circa
1626-8. Gallery once part of chancel screen; in 1712 referred to as "Wainscoted
Partition betwixt the Chancel and Body of the Church." |
| Stanford |
Gallery with organ. |
| Wollaston |
1737 nave and furnishings. |
| NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
|
| Elston |
circa 1820 chapel in field; untouched
interior. |
| Teversal |
Late C17th |
| Tythby |
C18th |
| OXFORDSHIRE
|
| Berrick Salome
# |
1676 on gallery. Turned
balusters. Box-pews reduced, but still with numbering
on external panels. |
| Bessels Leigh |
|
| Burford Chapel |
Chapel 1662. Restored 1937 by W.H.Godfrey.
Gallery supported on two twisted columns, their capitals carved with
eagles. |
| Chislehampton |
1762. West gallery on Tuscan
columns. Box-pews and three-decker pulpit. Unspoilt and
complete Georgian. |
| Hampton Gay |
ca. 1770. Barrel Organ in gallery |
| Little Coxwell |
See Berkshire |
| Northmoor |
1693 |
| Rycote Chapel |
Early C17th with turned
balusters. Box-pews and pews with canopies. |
| SHROPSHIRE
|
| Benthall * # |
Church 1667. Gallery stair moved in 1893 to
new western apse. Box-pews. |
| Berwick Chapel
# |
Church 1672. Box-pews. |
| Buildwas |
Nave 1720. West gallery on two posts,
twisted balusters. |
| Eyton-upon-the-Weald-Moors
# |
Church built 1743 with west
galley. |
| Great Bolas |
Church built 1726-29. |
| Halston Chapel |
A timber-framed church. West gallery with Georgian Royal Arms
and panelled front.
"West gallery looks Jacobean . . . front of gallery
has motifs of mixed odd balusters and Perp.
tracery." (Pevsner)
|
| Hope Bagot |
1726 west gallery.
No reference in Pevsner. |
| Leebotwood * # |
West gallery carried on ovolo-moulded
beam (C17th); balustrade of stick balusters matches three-sided altar rail and
probably dates from 1829 alterations. |
| Longnor * # |
C18th west gallery with wavy splat
balusters. No ref. in Pevsner, yet extant. Outside stair to west gallery at
south-west end of nave. Box-pews. No
reference in Pevsner. |
| Melverley * # |
Balustraded west gallery. May date
from 1588 (Randall); date on panelling below
gallery. |
| Mindtown |
C17th.west gallery, which is the
"remains of a Jacobean pew." - (Pevsner) |
| Minsterley |
Church 1689. West gallery -
contemporary ? |
| Moreton Say |
1788 church encased in brick.1634
west gallery ("one of the finest in Shropshire") with stair and organ. Painted
floral designs possibly later (Cox and
Harvey). |
| Onibury * # |
1902 lattice front to gallery; C17th
panelling at rear, plus old benches. |
| Quatt * |
Church rebuilt 1763; west gallery
and organ date from 1950s. |
| St. Martin's. * |
|
| Stokesay. # |
Church rebuilt 1654.
"Georgian" west gallery. Used by musicians until ca.1855.
Box-pews. |
| Tugford |
West gallery said to be partly made
from former screen. |
| Whitchurch |
Church 1712. West gallery and fine stair.
Wooden galleries - (Pevsner) |
| SOMERSET
|
| Banwell |
The west gallery is an Elizabethan pew. |
| Berrow |
Jacobean beam now at west end of
south aisle was probably the supporting beam of a minstrels' gallery that was
once at the west end. "I was set upright and even, 1637. They are of the Lord
accursed that in their dealings are not just." Plus initials of churchwardens.
Door beneath west window gave external access to gallery.
| Accounts |
1778
|
bass viol and an hautboy.
|
|
|
| Cameley # |
1711 gallery with turned
balusters. Box-pews. |
| Catcott |
|
| East Brent |
1635 gallery. Was originally on the
site of (supported by ?) the medieval rood screen. 1824 carpenter's bill:
"Removing Gallery to west end...putting up the partition at the back of the
Gallery and over where the old Gallery stood...A Gothic screen between the
Church and Chancel measuring 169' [ft.] . . . Altering and framing part of the front of
the Gallery and making framing to match with carved rails, panels etc." |
| Evercreech |
The west gallery "looks to be made up
from the timbers of the old rood screen" (guide
book). |
| Holcombe # |
C18th/19th. "Unrestored and
atmospheric". Box-pews. |
| Limpley Stoke |
C17th |
| North Petherton |
1623 gallery |
| Rodney Stoke |
Gallery. 1625 screen with open
balustrade. |
| Selworthy |
Gallery 1750 |
| Sutton Mallet |
Rebuilt 1827 with west gallery. |
| STAFFORDSHIRE
|
| Alstonefield * # |
circa 1635 ?
Box-pews. |
| Baswich |
circa 1740 |
| Betley |
C18th (or C17th.) |
| Leek * |
"Enormous west gallery, which rises
tier upon tier . . . " Balustraded front. |
| Madeley |
C17th. |
| Rushton Spencer * # |
C18th (1719 carved on bench)
balustraded west gallery with internal stair. |
| Sandon |
Family pew gallery above remodelled
chancel screen. |
| Wolverhampton, St.Peter |
West gallery 1610. |
| SUFFOLK
|
| Aldeborough |
Remains of dado of screen reused in
west gallery |
| Boxford |
C16th. "The moulded gallery beam and
traceried front to the tower arch have frequently been suggested as part of the
original rood screen but this is most unlikely as the mouldings of the beam are
stopped and run out, and probably the whole gallery, including the braced beam
floor, is early C16th and in situ." (Cautley) |
| Clare |
C17th gallery in south aisle. |
| Copdock |
C16th. "In the front of
the western gallery are five carved panels, one armorial, one of a lady playing
on a harp and one of Edwardus VI and inscribed with that title." (Cautley) |
| Gislingham * # |
C18th/19th. (Cautley and Pevsner do
not mention gallery.) |
| Hacheston |
"In gallery front are four panels
from rood-loft and old carved bosses. In gallery is one bench end and an old
charcoal brazier, as at Barking." (Cautley). No ref. to gallery in Pevsner.
|
| Hawkedon |
C17th. "This carefully restored
church, in which the west gallery has wisely been retained..." (Betjeman) (No ref. in Cautley or Pevsner.) |
| Ipswich, St. Clement |
Part of C17th gallery refixed at east
end of north aisle. |
| Kedington * # |
C18th bow-fronted gallery ( or circa
1750; Betjeman)
Pevsner -
early C19th projecting in a semicircle. (No ref. in
Cautley.)
|
| Mildenhall |
First floor of tower was used as
minstrels' gallery. Also a gallery in the north porch, open to the church.
|
| Nayland* |
Simple C18th gallery. |
| Thornham Parva* |
C18th bow-fronted gallery. (No ref.
in Cautley or Pevsner) # |
| Withersdale |
C17th. (No ref. in Betjeman, Cautley
or Pevsner.) |
| SURREY
|
| Croydon, Archbishop's Palace |
Laudian |
| Egham |
1817-20. "Sweeping galleries"
(Pevsner) |
| Ewell |
Built 1848, including west gallery.
|
| Guildford, Holy Trinity |
Rebuilt 1749-63. Interior gutted
1888, keeping only the west gallery. |
| Newdigate * |
Old west gallery front of 1627 set up
[hidden behind tables!] under the tower. |
| Old Woking * |
1622, rough Jacobean. (Pevsner) |
| Petersham
# |
C18th
north gallery, circa 1840 west and south transept galleries. Organ in south
transept gallery. |
| Ripley * |
Organ placed in west gallery in 1901.
Nave rebuilt 1846-8 and extended 1869. |
| Send * |
Circa 1670 west gallery with turned
balusters. Originally had external access - straight joint in south wall west
of porch may indicate position of doorway. 1963 fire damaged part of gallery
supports and floor. |
| Shere * |
1748 west gallery erected for the
poor by public subscription of 137 subscribers at a cost of £27.18s.6d.
Had outside stair, now gone. |
| Walton-on-Thames * |
C17th west and north galleries with
square balusters. Heavily restored. No ref. in Pevsner. |
| SUSSEX
|
| Ashburnham
* # |
Church dated 1665. Documentary evidence that
gallery stair given in 1649. Gallery has been altered to fit.
Box-pews, Commandments, altar rails, etc. Unspoilt Georgian
and earlier. |
| Brightling # |
C18th. On Roman Doric columns. On
the gallery is a Gothick barrel organ given by Mad Jack Fuller in 1810. |
| Chiddingly |
C17th. No ref. in Pevsner.
?? Was this ever a west gallery - it is used as the ringing
room. |
| Frant |
Church 1819-22. West gallery on iron
columns. |
| Glynde |
Church built 1765 |
| Kirdford * |
Ringers' gallery rail of turned
balusters circa 1600. |
|
Lewes, St Anne's
|
C18th. |
| Ninfield |
C17th minstrel gallery at west end.
Wavy balusters added 1923. Gallery partitioned to provide ringers' chamber for
bell turret above. Lower gallery removed 1885. "A sweet surprise, high up at
the west end, with flat wavy balusters, only accessible by using a ladder. It
is assigned to the C17th, but the balusters are by Adrian G. Scott, 1923."
(Pevsner.) |
| Pagham |
C17 or C18 gallery (Treasures of Sussex Churches) |
| Rodmell |
C17 or C18 gallery
(Treasures of Sussex Churches) |
| Singleton |
C18th west gallery. |
| Twineham |
C17th. "Gallery in the tower arch;
elementary." (Pevsner) It is used as a
Ringing Room. |
| Uckfield,
Holy Cross |
C18th. Pevsner - 1839;
three galleries. |
| Worth |
West gallery 1610, with vertically symmetrical
balusters and moulded rail. Supported on two turned oak posts. Inscription on
supporting beam has name of Anthony Lynton, rector, who died 15 June 1610.
|
| WARWICKSHIRE
|
| Baginton |
Late C18th. west gallery |
| Berkswell |
C18th south gallery. |
| Castle Bromwich |
Church dates from 1726-31, with a
west galley. |
| Hillmorton |
C18th. gallery |
| Honiley |
Church 1723. West gallery on marble
columns. |
| Idlicote |
No ref. in Pevsner. |
| Maxstoke |
C18th.
No ref. in Pevsner. |
| Nuneaton |
Early C18th N and S galleries
survived until 1965. |
| Preston-on-Stour |
Church 1752-64, with west gallery |
| Stoneleigh |
C18th. Early C19th.
according to Pevsner. |
| Sutton Coldfield |
South gallery C18th; North gallery, a
great exception, is Victorian.. |
| Wotton Wawen |
C18th. Front with two columns. |
| WESTMORLAND
|
| Bolton |
Arthur Mee shows a photograph of
the west gallery, but no reference to it in the text. |
| Ravenstonedale * |
Church dates from 1738-44 |
| WILTSHIRE
|
| Biddestone |
Late C18th west gallery. |
| Brinkworth * |
C18th with fine staircase. |
| Great Durnford * # |
C17th west gallery.
Pevsner - C18th,
on columns. |
| Ham |
C18th (1733.) South side 1733, tower
1787. |
| Mildenhall # |
Church dates from 1815-16. West gallery,
box-pews. |
| Old Dilton * # |
C18 west gallery and north schoolroom
gallery. Box-pews. |
| Seend |
Parts of west gallery now under
tower, dated 1706 and 1726. |
| Stratford-sub-Castle
* # |
Probably circa 1800; of the three
supporting arches, two are ogee. Entirely new stair
to galley currently (2001) under construction.
Box-pews. |
| Woodford * |
Jacobean on brackets with a little
stucco. |
| WORCESTERSHIRE
|
| Strensham |
Panels of rood loft incorporated into
new west gallery. |
| Worcester, St. Swithun's |
Church 1734-36. West gallery
and box-pews. |
| YORKSHIRE
|
| Boynton |
18th C. west gallery |
| Coxwold * # |
|
| Fylingdales # |
circa 1821; north and west
galleries, box-pews. |
| Harpham |
has a west gallery. |
| Holme-upon-Spaldingmoor |
Church dates from 1767; has a
west gallery. |
Holmfirth
|
Church rebuilt 1782. Galleries on three
sides. 1875 galleries lowered three feet and new staircases built. Organ and
choir moved from west gallery to chancel, and pitch pine pews replaced box
pews. |
| Midhopestones |
C17th or circa 1705; stair has turned
balusters. |
| Skelton Old Church |
Church dates from 1785; box-pews. |
| Tong Church |
1727, gallery 1731. |
| Whitby * # |
Cholmeley pew above chancel arch,
late C17th. West gallery circa 1700, north transept gallery 1744, south
transept gallery 1759, nave gallery 1764, north aisle gallery 1818.
Box-pews. Unique. |
| WALES |
|
CARDIGANSHIRE |
| Llandewi
Aberarth |
House called Tyglyn
has a chapel with a gallery, although the other furnishings
have gone. |
| Llansaintffraid |
Early C19. Box-pews. |
| Pontrhydfendigaid |
West
gallery circa 1815 |
| Ysgubor
y Coed # |
Church
dates from 1833,
with west gallery |
|
CARMARTHENSHIRE
|
| Trelech,
Rock Chapel |
Chapel
dates from 1827 Outside
stair to gallery |
|
DENBIGHSHIRE (GWYNEDD)
|
| Llanrwst,
Gwydir Uchaf |
Chapel
1673 (date on datestone and on gallery).
Gallery has turned balusters.
Complete furnishings, including painted ceiling.
In the care of CADW and included in guidebook for
Rhug Chapel and Llangar Church (see below). |
|
GLAMORGAN
|
| Pennard |
Good C17 and C18 fittings |
|
MERIONETH
(CLWYD)
|
| *Corwen,
Rhug
Chapel |
Chapel
dates from 1637.
West gallery with turned balusters, entire original
furnishings, all painted, including roof timbers.
Timber candelabrum.
Stunning. If
you only visit one church, choose this one! In
the care of CADW, which
has produced an excellent guidebook. |
| Corwen,
Llangar Old Church # |
Gallery there by 1730; “The gallery is an ordinary piece of work, but
very strong and large and the benches in it all good.” Box-pews.
In
the care of CADW, which
has produced an excellent guidebook.
|
| Llandanwg |
West
gallery dates from 1840s |
| Llangelynin,
Fairbourne |
Chapel
dates from 1926 “Gallery
loft at west end.” |
|
MONMOUTHSHIRE (GWENT)
|
| Mamhilad |
Gallery uses bressumer and front of rood loft. |
| Nash
# |
Church
dates from 1792 (?) Box-pews. |
| Portskewett
|
Church dates from 1818 |
|
PEMBROKESHIRE
(DYFFYD)
|
| Burton
|
C19 bow-fronted west gallery with organ |
| Capel
Colman |
Chapel dates from 1835, with west gallery. |
| Fishguard,
Hermon Chapel |
Chapel
dates from 1776, restored 1832.
Galleries on four sides.
Box-pews. |
| Fishguard |
The
parish church was built in 1857, with a west gallery. |
| Haverfordwest,
Congregational Tabernacle |
Chapel
dates from 1774 Three-sided
gallery with cast-iron grille. |
| Llandewi
Velfrey, Baptist Chapel |
1832 on west gallery pillar. Building
may be older. |
| Manorbier
|
“C14 oak loft leading into the tower”
(Shell
Guide) |
| Manordeifi,
New Chapel |
Chapel
dates from 1848 |
| Nolton |
The
Chapel dates from 1858,
and there is a west gallery. |
|
| Trelech, Carmarthenshire Rock Chapel |
Chapel and gallery with outside stair dates from
1827. |
| Tushingham, Cheshire |
1689-91 West gallery with outside stair. |
| Barlow, Derbyshire |
|
| Dale Abbey, Derbyshire |
|
| Branscombe, Devon * |
|
| Buckerell, Devon * |
The present west gallery was built for the organ
in 1907. |
| Gittisham, Devon * |
Two external stairs into tower and south aisle
lead to west gallery. Built by Sir Thomas Putt in 1701 and first used on April
20th, Good Friday. |
| Uffculme, Devon * |
An organ was erected in the west gallery in 1841,
and rebuilt in a new location in 1928. The tower screen was constructed in 1931
using panels from the 17th century west gallery. The external stone stair
survives at the end of the north aisle. |
| Dowdeswell, Glos |
West gallery = manor pew, north transept gallery
= rectory pew, both with outside stairs, circa 1840. |
| North Cerney, Glos. |
1828 west gallery; front marbled by Eden in 1915.
|
| Shepperton, Middx. * |
Early C19 west gallery and "manor pew" in north
transept both have external stairs. |
| Longnor, Shropshire. * |
Box pews dated 1723; gallery with wavy splat
balusters possibly the same date. Stone stair at south west end of nave (no
tower). |
| Cameley, Somerset |
Galleries of 1711 and 1819, both with wooden hat
pegs, reached by an external stone stair. The 1819 gallery was "for the free
use of the inhabitants." (NB the font cover was made in 1634 for £1.12s.
4d) |
| Chilvers Coton, Warwickshire |
(According to Gordon Maxwell in The Author's
Thames, 1924; in George Eliot's Scenes From Clerical Life Chilvers
Coton = Shepperton Church, which does have an outside stair.
Whether the real Chilvers Coton does is not known.) |
Whitby, Yorkshire * |
Three external stairs lead to various galleries.
|
| Shere, Surrey |
May still have an external stair on north side,
seen in a photograph - Has this church still an external stair?? |
|
|
| Ashbourne, Derbyshire |
1838 recorded that viaduct of brickwork led
through window to gallery on north side of nave. Demolished soon after. |
| Tissington, Derbyshire |
|
| Sidbury, Devon |
1670 datestone on outer wall possibly refers to
an outside stair for the gallery. |
| Totnes, Devon |
A gallery added in the C19th was reached by steps
in a small turret outside the north door. |
| Iron Acton, Gloucestershire |
Galleries of 1711 and 1823 were removed in
1878/9. The north gallery was "approached by an appalling excrescence of a
staircase on the north elevation". |
| St. John's, Winchester, Hants |
Blocked door for external stair to gallery. |
| Berrow, Somerset |
Has a beam from the west gallery of 1637, which
had external access via a door beneath the west window and was removed in 1885.
(NB 1631 prayer desk; pulpit had 1621 on original base, replaced in 1885.) |
| Freshford, Somerset |
North gallery erected in 1738 due to lack of
seating; had external stair. Removed 1910. |
| Dunsfold, Surrey |
Had outside stair to west gallery; disturbed
stonework marks position of door in south wall. |
| Send, Surrey |
West gallery c1670 probably had external access;
straight joint marks blocked door. |
| Shere, Surrey |
The west gallery was erected in 1748 by public
subscription at a cost of £27.18s.6d. There were 137 subscribers, and it
was built for the use of the poor of the parish. A musicians' gallery was built
along the north wall, and this too had an outside stair - there is a blocked
door in the north wall. This gallery was removed in 1861 when a barrel organ
was bought; the west gallery remains. |
| Fletching, Sussex |
Wilson family gallery in south transept; old
photo shows external flight of stone steps leading to doorway in west wall.
(Sheffield family gallery in north aisle.) |
| Rottingdean, Sussex |
1856 restoration removed "unsightly wooden
gallery, erected in 1818 along the north wall of the nave, together with its
outside staircase and doorway.." |
|
|
| BEDFORDSHIR
|
| Harrold |
Old west galleries removed 1904/5. New west
gallery and organ. |
| BERKSHIRE
|
| Abingdon, St. Helen's |
The 1727 organ originally stood in a west
gallery, but was moved in the C19th. No
reference in Pevsner. ?Where does reference come from? |
| BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
|
| Long Crendon |
West and south galleries removed 1889. |
| Olney |
Had galleries at west end and in north aisle.
West gallery removed before 1873 restoration. |
| Turville |
Had Jacobean west gallery, removed 1901. Newels
and finials reset on pews and rails used as altar rails. |
| Wraysbury |
Was a gallery to accommodate a choir of ten and a
small organ, given and blessed in 1839 by Bishop of Lincoln. Gallery and organ
taken away in 1862 restoration. |
| CAMBRIDGESHIRE
|
| Cambridge, St. Bene't's |
Late C18th west gallery with organ, shown in
watercolour of circa 1800. Writer in Illustrated London News in 1857 called it
"an ugly organ loft". 1830s vestry archives include "Duties and Emoluments of
the Sexton", which include "To keep order in the Church and Gallerys, and
attend to the opening of the Pews." Organ loft removed 1860s. In the later C19
the "delightfully soft little organ" gave way to a harmonium. But this was
merely a temporary measure. An organ was essential in the climate of the 1870s
and an appeal stated that several ladies had undertaken to collect
subscriptions, "feeling confident that the Parishioners and their friends will
be glad to contribute liberally towards this important means of producing
heartiness in the Choral portions of the service". As a result, a second hand
Elliott organ was purchased, and in the 1890s the patrons agreed to the use of
their seats in the chancel by a "competent surpliced choir". (Guide Book) |
| Wisbech |
C18th had galleries on north, south and west
sides. Second upper gallery on south side. Removed 1857. |
| CHESHIRE
|
| Lower Peover |
C17th west gallery pulled down 1852. |
| CORNWALL
|
| Blisland |
West gallery built about 1780; payments
recorded between 1782 and 1803. |
| Liskeard |
Church restored and refitted 1793. West gallery
for band of violins, cellos, flutes, clarinets, bassoons and "scorpions" [?]
Replaced by an organ in 1844. Gallery removed 1927. |
| Perranzabuloe |
"In the year 1873, when the interiors of many
Cornish churches were being greatly changed and, in several cases, the
character of the old churches completely lost in the name of "restoration", the
Church of St. Piran was reseated and the chancel raised. Prior to this date
there was a gallery at the back of the church, just inside the large oak door,
and the Choir sat in the gallery. One of the oldest inhabitants of Perranporth
can remember a string band under the direction of the choirmaster,
Mr. Wm. Hodge,
supplying the music for the services." (Church guide book -
undated but fairly ancient.) |
| St. Winnow |
Painting of c.1850 shows interior "cluttered up
with family pews, clerk's seat and singers' seats". |
| CUMBRIA
|
| Abbey Holm,
also Abbey Town |
The west gallery, erected in 1730 by local
carpenters, was removed in about 1850, as were the
box-pews. |
| Hawkshead |
In 1711 Joseph Keen was paid £2 2s for
"workmanship in Church" - he was employed for about seven weeks. References to
a shaped beam and 18 joists were probably for a west gallery. The 1721 accounts
include 1s for "Jamers [hinges] and hanglock at stairs head", presumably
gallery stairs. In 1794-5 new pews included at the west end one for
churchwardens and three for the psalm-singers. An organ was bought in 1828,
then replaced later in the C19th. The restoration of 1875-6 removed both organ
and gallery. The church has a pitch-pipe dated 1764, which was made by Isaac
Holme, a local joiner, who died in 1789 aged 53. He was paid 7s 6d for the
pipe, which has ten notes from C to E and was used until 1828 to give the
keynote for the psalms |
| Kirkby
Lonsdale - Westmoreland |
Had organ in west gallery until 1866. |
| DERBYSHIRE
|
| Ashbourne |
"Great Organ" installed 1710. Mid C18th a number
of galleries built around nave, south aisle and transepts. 1838 new curate
recorded eleven flights of steps to different lofts or galleries. On the north
side of the nave was "the sixpenny gallery", sixpence being the quarterly rent
to sit there. This gallery approached through what is now Beard memorial
window, with a viaduct of brickwork built onto the outside and the window
mullions forming the door frame. Restoration demolished lofts, which led to
shortage of seating. New seating installed for 1,400, of which 400 to be free.
New vicar 1850 believed church should be free for all. Led to various disputes
and meetings. |
| Ashford-in-the-Water |
Gallery removed 1870. |
| Eyam |
C18th had three galleries, removed C19th. |
| Hope |
Has a psalm board dated 1806 with a picture of
David and his harp. |
| Stoney Middleton |
Oct. nave 1759, had W gallery, removed 1861.
|
| Taddington |
Singing gallery put up and taken down in C19th.
|
| Tissington |
Also has what looks like an early (early C18th?)
psalm board with a picture of a harp. |
| Wirksworth |
New galleries and box pews built 1820-22; removed
1870-4 |
| Youlgreave |
1746 accounts record that "a loft for singers"
was erected at the west end; removed in 1870 restoration. |
| DEVON
|
| Colyton |
Galleries used to stand along both nave aisles;
taken down 1897. |
| Crediton |
In 1723 there were galleries at the west end and
in the transepts. Organ installed in west gallery in 1822; removed 1887-9.
|
| East Budleigh |
In 1810 a barrel organ was installed to augment a
consort of bass viol, oboe, clarinet and flute which accompanied the choir.
Replaced by organ in 1850. |
| Loxbeare |
C17th. "Jacobean; fragments reused in the chancel
seats." (Pevsner) i.e. no longer there ? |
| Ottery St. Mary |
Organ was in west gallery; moved 1849.
"The
nave was soon disfigured with a gallery on the south side . . . three
more galleries
were erected in the transepts.". (Guidebook)
Implies
late C16/early C17. Also has medieval stone minstrels' gallery above entrance
to Lady Chapel |
| Payhembury |
Had west gallery until 1897 restoration. |
| Rockbeare |
Screen made from Jacobean gallery. |
| Salcombe Regis |
Once had C17/18 musicians' gallery. |
| Talaton |
Had west gallery until 1860 restoration.
| Accounts
|
| |
|
|
| 1776 |
Joseph Charles for a new bass
viol, |
£2 12s 6d, |
|
two new hautboys |
£1 10s |
|
two new flutes |
18s |
| |
a bassoon, |
£2 12s. |
| |
for the expense of strings and
reeds for the instruments |
£1 1s, |
|
|
|
| 1786 |
for singing books |
10s |
|
|
|
| 1824 |
the singers were paid their
annual salary |
£2 2s. |
| |
|
|
As late as 1857 the churchwardens tried to stop the
practice of the congregation turning to the west for the singing of hymns and
psalms, but with little success. |
| Woodbury |
1740 panelling is part of west gallery, removed
in 1893. |
| DORSET
|
| Bradford Abbas |
Gallery removed 1865 |
| Burton Bradstock |
West gallery extended in C19th and north gallery
added. Removed 1897. |
| Burton Weston |
"Six 17th C painted panels were formerly
on gallery" - (Little Guide.) |
| Charminster |
C18th gallery removed 1897 |
| ESSEX
|
| Bobbingworth
aka Bovinger |
Chancel built in 14th C. onto a 13th C. nave.
The nave was rebuilt in brick in 1680, and the chancel was
replaced in 1840. A west gallery was erected in the
nave in 1770, but was removed in 1931-32 during repairs to
the roof and the south wall. |
| Chipping
Ongar |
The chancel and nave
date from the 11th C. Original date of west gallery
not recorded, but it was certainly in being in 1752-53 when
other work was done. West gallery rebuilt in 1860.
1896 new organ positioned on gallery and choir moved to
chancel. |
| High
Ongar |
The west gallery was
constructed in 1858. The organ now in the centre of
the gallery was purchased in 1871 |
| Stondon
Massey |
In 1873 the west gallery was deemed "unsightly" and
was demolished; the barrel-organ was replaced by a harmonium. |
| Saffron Walden |
Gallery for Audley End family erected circa 1660
in place of rood loft, and gallery in north aisle in 1790. Removed 1860. |
|
Theydon Garnon |
From 1744 was a "singers gallery" in the north aisle; removed
1863. |
| Theydon Mount |
1837 west gallery erected for the use of Hill
Hall servants and musicians. Removed 1929 as in danger of collapsing |
| GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
|
| Almondsbury |
"The singing gallery at the west end, originally
erected in 1785 of Dutch oak with four fluted pillars, was removed in 1889, and
some of the timber was reused to make the present inner porch." |
| Avening |
North and west galleries removed in 1902. |
| Awre |
"In the parish Register dated 1579 is written 'Let it be remembered for the
honour of this parish of Awre that from it first sounded out the Psalms of
David in English Meter.' These metrical psalms were the work of Thomas
Sternhold and John Hopkins…their version of the Psalms first appeared in
metric verse without music in 1549, but by 1556 the musical version was on the
market and in the introduction to most psalters from this period onwards were
instructions on how to sing. This was the vocalist's primers and was the only
authorised Church of England metrical psalter until about 1700. All traces of
John Hopkins' birthplace on the banks of the Severn at Awre were washed away by
the tide long ago…The home of Thomas Sternhold still stands, now called
the Hawfield, a private residence near Blakeney. One of the rooms has always
been known as the psalm room." |
| Didmarton |
Evidence for former west gallery
remains in the form of rows of coat pegs high on the walls at the west end, as
well as traces of the former door in the south wall. More coat pegs remain in
the north transept, where there was another gallery. |
| Eastington |
Gallery for the Clutterbucks of Millend and
Nastend was built under the tower in 1760. |
| Great Witcombe |
Tower rebuilt 1750-2; west gallery possibly
added at same time. Removed 1889. |
| Lechlade-on-Thames |
Had organ in west gallery. |
| Newland |
Had musicians' gallery in tower. |
| Somerford Keynes |
1708 new tower; squire added west gallery. 1815
small organ given and put in gallery. Gallery removed 1874. |
| Stone |
West gallery removed 1883. |
| Wickwar |
Gallery removed 1880/1 |
| Withington |
1872 "Gallery seats and wall lining were entirely
cleared out" (Architect's report). Info. from grandson of old sexton, who had
lived early C19th; choir and orchestra replaced by barrel organ and then by
present organ. |
| HAMPSHIRE
|
Alton
|
One gallery in 1702, lots by 1838. Singing
gallery at west end, two or three galleries at east end including one directly
over the high altar, and galleries over the whole of the south side, each with
their own stair. 1810 two new galleries built in the chancel and the old one
repaired. 1814/15 new gallery and seats. 1824 another new gallery costing
£150 at the east end. At the same time it was decided that "the present
singing gallery be raised, and an additional seat be made in front." 1829
obtained barrel organ. 1862 plan to remove galleries and add north aisle and
west gallery. Guide book has photo of eastern gallery. |
| Bishop's Sutton |
Gallery removed 1893 |
| Boldre |
(Guide book, 1950) "Formerly there was a gallery
over the Western door, which blocked the west window. In it was installed a
Barrel Organ which played three tunes, the "Old Hundredth", another hymn and a
psalm. The organ was assisted by a flute player, and according to one story by
a band of instrumentalists and singers. There was also another Gallery in the
North Aisle called the "Servants' Gallery", which was removed at the
Restoration of 1855…..The bassoon belonging to the old church band has
been restored to the Church. It rests near the organ, in the doorway niche of
the old rood screen." |
| Bonchurch, IOW |
Had two galleries in 1847. |
| East Meon |
Galleries removed 1869/70 |
| St. Mary Bourne |
Organ originally in west gallery; moved in 1910.
|
| HEREFORDSHIRE.
|
| Bosbury |
West gallery installed and removed in C19th. |
|
Vowchurch |
West gallery removed mid C19th. |
| HERTFORDSHIRE
|
| Barley |
1870 restoration removed south and west
galleries. |
| St. Alban's, St.
Michael |
1865 Sir Gilbert Scott carried out restoration.
Must have had "rather a fine" west gallery; fragments preserved. It was
supported on Corinthian columns which had come from the chapel at Gorhambury;
perhaps whole gallery front came from there. |
| Tring |
Musicians' gallery at west end until 1861. From
1827 it contained an organ, whose installation caused mutiny among the singers
which was resolved by the Incumbent refusing to preach if there was no singing.
Two singers' pews under gallery on either side of tower arch; in 1722 these
were assigned to the churchwardens so they could keep an eye on the
congregation. Rebuilt in same style in 1862 restoration; still remain. |
|
KENT
|
| Brookland |
Wooden blocks remain at west end that supported
pillars of gallery - perhaps built in 1740 when box pews added. Removed 1880.
|
| Chiddingstone |
In 1720 a carpenter called Chapman received
£19 18s for building a west gallery. |
| Goudhurst |
1770 west gallery built for singers and
instrumentalists. Flute, serpent and violoncellos mentioned in C19th accounts.
Later a "finger organ" was installed in the gallery. Present organ built in
1854 - date of removal of gallery? |
| Lenham |
West gallery removed mid C19th. |
| Pluckley |
Autobiography of Rev. Ashton Oxenden, Rector
1848-69. "The condition of the church fabric greatly perplexed me. It was
extremely well kept, and so profusely painted and varnished that you could
almost see your face reflected as you walked up the aisle - and yet the pews
were so high and so ill assorted - and the reading desk and pulpit so
inconveniently placed, and so ungainly in appearance, with a ponderous gallery
overhanging the west end, that I longed to reconstruct the whole.
But how was
the consent of the parishioners to be obtained ? To appeal to their taste would
have been absurd, to their pockets equally so - the people loved their church,
gallery and all. The squire too could not bear the thought of seeing the dear
old building turned inside out, but he and several others most kindly yielded
to the prejudices of the new rector - so we reseated the church and much
improved it !
The choir was my next difficulty. It was by no means a bad one.
There were some beautiful voices both among the men and also the boys; but it
had been a gallery choir and the singing uncongregational. This I was anxious
to change; but how to effect so great a change without giving offence taxed all
my powers. A peaceful solution was brought about. Lady Dering presented us with
a very nice organ. I induced the parishioners to present an address of thanks.
They would by this unconsciously bind themselves to its use instead of
retaining the various instruments to which they had been so long accustomed. By
this stratagem the matter peacefully righted itself."
|
| Sandwich, St
Mary |
1723 west gallery added by 44 parishioners, who
occupied it for services. Removed 1873-4. |
| Smarden |
"..during the Georgian era...the
interior of this church, like that of many others, was subjected to acts of
vandalism induced by ignorance and prejudice. A brick chancel arch was
inserted, the roof timbers were hidden by a plaster ceiling, many features were
walled in and a huge gallery was built at the west end of the nave, the rest of
which was filled with high box pews. Happily, however, much of this misguided
work was undone in the third quarter of the 19th century..."
(Guidebook)
Guidebook =
"reproduction of the original text prepared by the late Mr. H. G. Askwith" - what
date was this ?
|
| Westerham |
1704 west gallery removed 1882. |
| Wye |
South and west galleries removed 1878. |
| LANCASHIRE
|
| Cartmel Priory |
1837 restoration removed C18th galleries |
| Ribchester |
A West gallery was built in 1736; a copy of the
faculty, the accounts and the gallery all still exist.
Accounts |
| 1701 |
Violincello |
£5 - 05 - 0 |
| 1736-7 |
Allowed for Gallery |
£7 - 1 - 8 |
| 1742 Nov 22. |
Roger Coop for painting Two Cherubims upon
two Pannalls on ye Singing Pew |
5 / 0 |
| 1771 |
Singers on 5th Nov. |
2 / 6 |
| 1773 |
To two Hautboys |
£1 - 1 - 0 |
| 1773 |
To mending and new Basoon |
£2 -17 - 0 |
| 1780 |
To repairing Basoon |
3 / 0 |
| 1798 |
Joseph Walton for Reeds |
3 / 0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NB 1701 is a very early instance of an
instrument being recorded for use in a parish church
emlm |
|
|
|
|
The minstrels were disbanded in 1861 when an
organ was placed in the gallery. German prisoners of war stationed nearby
attended church regularly and sang carols in German from the gallery on the
Sunday after Christmas, 1946. |
| LINCOLNSHIRE
|
| Grantham |
The 1868 restoration sold off the screen,
galleries, pews and pulpit. |
| LONDON
|
| St. James, Garlickhythe |
Churchwardens' accounts: 1560-1 the small organs
were mended and "pricked songs" bought for the choir. 1641 gallery built.
Present organ said to have been built by Father Smith in 1697. 1719 £136
paid to Mr. Knopple for work on the organ. |
| MERIONETH
|
| Talyllyn |
Partition between south transept
and nave is Jacobean yew wood and was the original front of
the west gallery, removed in 1876 (Shell
Guide) |
| MIDDLESEX
|
| Laleham |
1758 "We, the Minister, Churchwardens and
Inhabitants of the Parish of Laleham...do make our humble petition unto all
persons who are so disposed, to contribute towards erecting a gallery in the
said Parish Church, it being necessary and convenient for the inhabitants as
there is great want of room for attending Divine Worship." An organ was added
in 1806, but in 1833 it was noted that the vestry wished the organ to be
discontinued and "a set of singers should be established instead with the same
pay of £5 per annum if there is a regular attendance of the majority."
However, the organ was soon reinstated - perhaps the singers were not up to
much! The gallery was finally removed in 1910. |
| Sunbury-on-Thames |
Church rebuilt 1752. 1813 Vestry Minutes record
"the violent contention and tumult that took place last Sunday in the upper
gallery of the church immediately after conclusion of Divine Service." Vestry
met to consider what action to take "to prevent the recurrence of similar
outrages." They recorded that "the congregation were much disturbed and shocked
by the noise and violence that took place….the conduct of the two French
ushers was in the highest degree improper and disgraceful and if they continue
to reside in the parish the Churchwardens are directed to institute a suit in
the Ecclesiastical Court against them. That under present circumstances it is
highly expedient that another staircase be erected to the gallery as the most
likely means to prevent the recurrence of such conduct." Church considerably
altered in 1856 by S. S. Teulon; 1970 restoration retained much altered west
gallery for organ and choir. |
| MONMOUTHSHIRE
|
| Goldcliffe |
EvidenceEvidence
for former existence of west gallery (Pevsner) |
| Grosmont |
Before 1879 restoration there were galleries over
north and south transepts, one originally for minstrels, the other for singers.
Instruments were fiddle, clarionet and cello. Village blacksmith was the clerk
and his daughter led the singing. Occasionally the fiddle failed to put in an
appearance, and the clerk, who took great interest in the choir and sang bass,
would look up to the gallery and call to his daughter, "Now Pollie, pitch the
key." |
| Newport, St. Woolo's |
Since 1819 organ had been in singing gallery over
east end of nave; 1913 moved to specially constructed west gallery in north
aisle. |
| NORFOLK
|
| King's Lynn, St. Mary |
Had organ on west gallery. |
| Tilney, All Saints |
West
gallery removed C19th. |
| NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
|
| Stowe-Nine-Churches |
West gallery etc. removed 1859. |
| NORTHUMBERLAND
|
| Alnwick |
North arcade modified in 1818 - first and third
pillars removed to accommodate west gallery. Gallery removed 1863 and pillars
restored. |
| Warkworth |
Parish included Amble, Acklington and Chevington who
occupied a special gallery at the west end. |
| OXFORDSHIRE
|
| Bicester |
Various galleries added between mid C17th and
C19th, "appropriated to the use of private owners". Removed 1862. |
| Thame |
Galleries, including singing gallery, removed in
C19th. 1908 choir stalls incorporate front of Jacobean gallery removed from
south aisle. |
| Warborough |
"In 1638 a west gallery was erected and the
dormers inserted to light it." (Churches of the Thames
Valley). Implies gallery
no longer there - no ref. in Pevsner. |
| SOMERSET
|
| Backwell |
Had wooden gallery over the south door. |
| Barrington |
West gallery removed 1860 (along with communion
table, rails, pulpit, reading desk, font, pews, chancel and transepts !) |
| Berrow |
Jacobean beam on south wall was base of a
musicians' gallery taken down in 1885. Inscription reads "I was set up right
and even 1637. They are of the Lord acurst that in theyr delings are not just."
Door beneath west window gave musicians access to gallery from outside.
Accounts record purchase in 1778 of a bass-viol and an hautboy. |
| Chew Magna |
Had singing gallery in LC14 porch. |
| Croscombe |
Organ installed in west gallery in 1837; gallery
removed 1860. |
| Freshford |
North gallery built 1738 due to lack of seating;
had external stair. c1800 north aisle extended eastwards, also with gallery but
with internal stair. Well into C19, man paid 10s. per annum for keeping order
in the gallery. 1859 west gallery "for the singers" removed. 1868 organ
obtained. 1910 north galleries removed. Organ placed in gallery under west
tower. 1930s organ moved and choir moved from the rear of the church and robed.
|
| Glastonbury |
Before 1856 two western bays filled with a
gallery with an organ. (Also removed oak pulpit and tester, oak panelled box
pews, benches at the back for the poor, and pews for mayor and corporation.)
|
| Isle Abbots |
Musicians' gallery removed 1874 |
| Ilminster |
1824-5 nave and aisles raised to accommodate
north and south galleries as well as west gallery. 1882 removed north and south
galleries and substituted a smaller one at west end (still there). Rood loft
"used for musicians until 1782 at least." [?] (Guide book) |
| Otterhampton |
"Rather harsh restoration in 1894" when west
gallery removed. |
| Taunton |
North gallery removed 1845. First organ installed
1709 on gallery in centre of west tower. |
| Wells, St. Cuthbert's |
Had west gallery. |
| West Harptree |
Porch room had window opening into south aisle;
possibly a musicians' gallery. |
| Wrington |
Once had porch gallery. Similar ones remain at
Banwell and Weston-in-Gordano. Gallery across tower arch, constructed "for the
accommodation of a first and second flute, and the small boys who sing",
removed 1859. |
| STAFFORDSHIRE
|
| Clifton Campville |
1830 report noted west gallery for singers. 1837
report ordered that "the gallery be lowered or its position changed, so as not
to intercept the window". Restorations 1866 and 1910/11. |
| SUFFOLK
|
| Brent Eleigh |
In 1826 reference was made to a "small gallery"
with a "small organ". It was taken down in the early C20th. |
| Debenham |
In 1736 a large gallery "of deal stained
red" was built at the west end to accommodate singers, musicians, and later an
organ. Disappeared at hands of C19th restorers. |
| SURREY
|
| Abinger |
"Singers' Gallery" across west end removed 1857
when barrel organ replaced "a bass-viol, clarionet etc. for the band". 1946
choir restored to west end. |
| Chertsey |
Gallery pews sold to raise money to complete
rebuilding 1806-9. |
| Cobham |
Full of galleries in C19th.
(Guide book p.11.)
"June 30th, 1799 - At a meeting of the Committee appointed to
regulate the Pews in the Church, it is ordered that in future all Gentlemen's
Livery Men Servants shall sit in the Gallery, On the south side of the organ,
that all women servants be placed in a pew on the left side next the Gallery
and the two opposite ones, and also all women strangers be placed there, and in
the next adjoining Pew on the left hand, that all Farmers' servants,
apprentices, journeymen and boys and girls sit in the right hand Chancel, the
people in the workhouse in the left hand Chancel; that Wm. Atkins
be appointed
Beadle to attend the inhabitants to their Pews, and that he be provided with a
coat and hat, and that each Pew have a lock fixed as soon as convenient."
(Parish records.)
|
| Dunsfold |
1892 restoration removed west gallery. |
| East Clandon |
"In 1900 the West Nave was galleried, but this
was rotten, as were two of the legs holding up the bell tower." Restoration
removed gallery. (Guide Book) |
| Farnham |
Organ presented in 1800 and set up on a west
gallery to replace choir and instrumentalists. Smaller organ built near chancel
in 1860. "Hymns Ancient and Modern" and Anglican chanting of the psalms in
place of the metrical version introduced in 1870s. |
| Godalming |
1819 organ placed
in west gallery; removed to nave in 1879. C18th galleries; faculty 1716 for
gallery in north aisle, to be paid for by subscription. Outer walls of aisles
raised to accommodate galleries, and two dormer windows inserted on north side
and two square-headed windows in west wall of nave to compensate for light cut
off by galleries. 1764 will refers to "my seats in the singing gallery I give
to my daughter, Sarah Rose." 1828 drawings show north, south and west
galleries. 1840 restoration added galleries for children in transepts. 1879
restoration to be carried out "in consequence of the present inconvenient and
unsightly condition" caused by "the existence of large galleries over the nave
aisles and west end of the nave." Comment of 1869 about "terrible galleries"
and the floors "so blocked up with pews that a stranger naturally concludes
that the parishioners must all be thin for no unusually stout person could pass
down the narrow passages." |
| Guildford St. Mary |
West gallery added 1709. Removed 1863. |
| Kingston-upon-Thames |
In C17th and C18th two west galleries installed,
the lower one carrying the organ which was placed there in 1703. Also two
galleries in south aisle; two more added in north aisle by 1852. All removed
mid C19th. |
| Leatherhead |
In the C18th and early C19th north and south
galleries were installed, and two galleries in the tower. |
| Mickleham |
Gallery removed 1891. |
| Richmond |
1683 gallery built in south aisle. 1750 nave and
aisle rebuilt. New north gallery. 1864-6 galleries rebuilt. Side galleries
removed 1903, west gallery 1935-6. |
| Thorpe |
Twisted baluster altar rails formerly fronted an
old singing gallery at the west end. Moved to present position after 1907.
|
| Thursley |
C18 print shows north and west galleries. North
gallery removed 1860, west gallery removed 1884. |
| SUSSEX
|
| Alfriston |
West gallery removed 1887. Organ installed 1859,
replacing violin, five bassoons and clarinet. New gallery at west end over
internal porch, "sung in" by Sussex Harmony to open it in
1997. |
| Arlington |
In very poor state and restored sometime between
1889 and 1918. Gallery under tower, "from which the old men who led the service
were forced to retire in bad weather" taken down and bell chamber removed.
|
| Ashurst |
Gallery still there in 1877 photo - extensive
restoration in that year |
| Bosham |
West gallery removed mid C19th. |
| Burpham |
Blocked door from tower stair led to former west
gallery. |
| Eastbourne, St Mary |
West gallery removed 1854 and new large organ
placed under the tower. |
| Fletching |
Sheffield family gallery in north aisle, Wilson
family gallery in south transept, with external stair. |
| Hastings |
Gallery in south aisle removed 1870. |
| Lurgashall |
Band provided music until 1843 when west gallery
removed. |
| Rottingdean |
1856 restoration removed "unsightly wooden
gallery, erected in 1818 along the north wall of the nave, together with its
outside staircase.." |
| Rye |
"Poor man's gallery" erected on south side in
late C16. End C18 west gallery built for choir and musicians. Housed barrel
organ, then pipe organ. 1811 "tradesmen's gallery" erected on north side.
Galleries all removed in 1882. |
| West Chiltington |
C17 west and south galleries removed 1880. |
| West Tarring |
Musicians' Gallery at west end removed 1854. In
the early C19th an orchestra replaced the C18th organ and there was a west
gallery, but new organs were installed in 1854 and 1863. A note at the time
said "Vicissitudes occurred in the musical portion of the services . . . after
the
removal of the old 18th century organ, the parishioners from time to time
forming bands to supply its place. The orchestra formed in the early part of
the last century, consisting of base-viols, bassoons, hautbois, and flutes, was
not spoken of very in very flattering terms by . . . the then old
inhabitants...although it appears to have given satisfaction to the performers
themselves; as on one occasion when Henry Pelling . . . was conductor, he, at the
end of an anthem, struck his baton sharply on some part of the gallery, and
shouted out 'Well done, my lads.' This body was eventually broken up, and there
was not any instrumental music in the church for several years.
Early in the
'thirties, James Newman . . . formed a band consisting of himself as leader,
clarionet; Thomas Binstead, base viol; Charles Bushby, trombone; Charles
Chipper, bassoon; Thomas Chipper, bassoon; George Chipper, clarionet, and James
Chipper, clarionet. This orchestra of farm labourers, wearing pure white
smock-frocks, together with the choristers, then called the Psalm singers, who
sang the Psalms of David as at the end of the Book of Common Prayer, sat in the
gallery, and continued in existence down to within a few years of the
restoration of the Church; when this was completed in 1854, an organ was
purchased and placed in the tower, a choir formed . . . we sat in the tower, men,
women, boys and girls. all singing in unison. . . . The organist being away on
holiday, and having to sing without musical accompaniment, we thought it a good
opportunity to try, at least, one hymn in four parts; the 'Old Hundredth' was
selected for the first, and to be sung when the Vicar went into the vestry to
change his surplice for his gown, in which to preach the sermon, as was the
custom in those days. I was to blow the key note with a 'pitch pipe'; this I
did, and all took up and sustained their parts well. The congregation turned
round and faced us, en masse. The Vicar came out of the vestry looking with
astonishment, and as black (metaphorically) as the gown he had just put on, and
immediately dispatched his clerk with a message for our lead, Henry Overington,
to attend in the vestry at the close of the service. Seeing that the Vicar was
displeased with the innovation, the hymn at the end of the service was, of
course, sung in the usual way. Our leader, as desired, went into the vestry,
and the rest of the choir awaited the verdict. On his return, he stated that
the Vicar asked him what we were singing, our leader said 'I told him we were
singing the "Old Hundredth" in four parts, and I thought it went very well';
the Vicar replied, 'I don't profess to know much about music, it might have
gone very well, but don't do it again.' Little clusters gathered together on
their way home after the service that day, discussing the merits and demerits
of the singing. One old man was heard to say to another, 'What was the matter
with the singers today then?' the other replied, 'I dun know, some was singen
one toon and some was singen another, and Edward Sayers was gwain to play some
sort of insterment, but he broke down fust noat.' So we continued in unison
with our singing, as well as with our Vicar, a few years longer. Harmony,
however, gradually crept in; the organ of 1854 gave way to a more modern
instrument placed in the chancel, where the choir now sit, and the musical
portion of the service may be considered in unison, as well as in harmony, with
the times." |
| WARWICKSHIRE
|
| Nuneaton |
Early C18th galleries removed 1965. |
| WESTMORLAND
|
| Appleby |
Organ given by Dean Smith of Carlisle Cathedral
in 1683. Set up on a classical singers' gallery in 1722. Parts of organ casing
survive from 1542-7, some reused on corporation pews. |
| Kirkby Lonsdale |
Had organ in west gallery until 1866. |
| WILTSHIRE
|
| Little Somerford |
"By the kneeler of the third pew from the back on
the north side is the sawn-off post that supported the west gallery. This was
removed c.1900 but the nails used as hat pegs and coat hooks remain in the roof
beam nearest the west wall." Chancel stall fronts and reredos carved in
Jacobean style on timber salvaged from west gallery. (Guide book) |
| Mere |
Galleries were removed in 1855. |
| Sherrington |
"A platform, similar to that on which the organ
now stands at the west end, accommodated the Church Orchestra before there was
an organ, the cornet being at one time played by a member of the Imber family,
the oldest family remaining in the village. A music-stand, or a light-holder,
was probably fixed in the largish hole in the back of a rear pew. But most of
the pews have similar holes, perhaps for candle-sconces." (Guide book) |
| Urchfont |
West gallery removed 1864. |
| Whiteparish |
A watercolour of the church in 1869 shows the
church before "restoration". The pulpit, west
gallery, hatchments, Royal Coat of Arms, and box-pews of
differing heights which the painting shows, were all
removed. |
|
YORKSHIRE
|
| Old
Filey |
Described by Charlotte Bronte: “It is not more
than three times the length of the parsonage, floored with
brick, the walls green with mould, the pews painted white,
but the paint is almost worn off.
At one end is a little gallery for the singers, and
when they stood up they all turned their backs to the
parson. It was
so ludicrous I could hardly help laughing.”
(Arthur
Mee)
|
|
MERIONETH
|
| Talyllyn |
Partition between south transept and nave is
Jacobean yew wood and was the original front of the west
gallery, removed in 1876 (Shell
Guide) |
|
MONMOUTHSHIRE
|
| Goldcliffe |
Evidence for former existence of west gallery.
(Pevsner) |
| Grosmont |
Before 1879 restoration there were galleries over
north and south transepts, one originally for minstrels, the
other for singers. Instruments
were fiddle, clarionet and cello. Village blacksmith was the clerk and his daughter led the
singing. Occasionally
the fiddle failed to put in an appearance, and the clerk,
who took great interest in the choir and sang bass, would
look up to the gallery and call to his daughter, “Now
Pollie, pitch the key.” |
| Newport, St.Woolo's |
Since 1819 organ had
been in singing gallery over east end of nave; 1913 moved to
specially constructed west gallery in north aisle. |
|
| Besselsleigh, Berks, now Oxon. |
17th/18th C.
No
reference in Pevsner. |
| Chicheley, Bucks |
C18th; pews raised at west end |
| Trumpington,
Cambs |
Modern
(ie after 1950) pews; choir pews with book rests at west
end.
|
| Matterdale, Cumberland |
The font “stands in
an old square singing seat.”
(Arthur Mee) |
| Parracombe, Devon # |
Minstrels' gallery at west end - raised pews
rather than gallery proper. Piece of board cut out for bow of bass viol. |
| Little Washbourne, Glos. |
Pews raised at west end. |
| Badlesmere, Kent # |
C18th. Pews raised at west end. |
| Rotherfield, Kent |
C19th box pews, tiered at west end. (guide book)
|
| Ashby St Ledgers, Northants |
Musicians' pew at west end. |
| Yerbeston, Pembrokeshire |
Early 18C interior with raised west end and
box pews. |
| Langley Chapel, Shropshire |
circa 1601. Musicians' pew. |
| Shelland, Suffolk |
circa 1767. Organ in raised "pew" at west end,
with raised musicians' pews on either side. |
Other Literary References
|
