History of our church - Felix Farley's Bristol Journal
13th February 1847
RE-OPENING OF THE CHANCEL OF HORFIELD CHURCH.
The Chancel of St. Michael's Church, Horfield, near this City, having through the exertions of the Incumbent, the Rev. Henry Richards recently been rebuilt and fitted up with stained glass windows, was re-opened for service on Thursday last.
The East window and the two windows on the south side of the Chancel are all by Mr. O'Connell of Berners Street, London, formerly of Bristol, and represent the principal events in the life of Our Lord, from the Nativity to the Ascension. There is also a window of painted glass in the West end of the Church by Bell of Bristol, representing St. Michael (to whom the Church is dedicated) triumphing over the dragon; this Subject is comprised of one light, and in the other is the Annunciation. The addition of these painted windows gives a solemn appearance to the interior of the Church.
The Chancel has been entirely rebuilt in the Decorated style; formerly it was what was called the Debased style. The floor of the Chancel and the Altar are laid with encaustic tiles from Mintons of Stoke-on-Trent. On the south side of the Chancel are the Piscina and Sedilia, and in the centre of the Chancel the Lectern. The Altar is covered with rich green silk, with gold fleur-de-lys and stars, designed by Mr. Butterfield of London. We understand that the whole of the ornamental work was presented to the Incumbent.
The unsightly galleries have been removed, but by throwing open the vestry nearly the same numbers of sittings have been preserved.
It is intended, when accommodation is required for the soldiers to be stationed in Horfield Barracks to enlarge the Church to the extent of the transepts.
At half-past 11 o'clock the church was nearly filled by a respectable congregation, including about twenty clergymen in their gowns, who entered the Church in procession and took up a position on either side of the Chancel.
Prayers were read by the Rev. I.B. Croome, the Curate of Horfield; the Rev. Canon Barrow read the first lesson, the Rev. Dr. Allen read the second lesson, the Epistle was read by the Rev. Mr. Woodford, and the Gospel by the Rev. Mr. Eland.
The Sermon was preached by the Ven. Archdeacon Thorp, who took as his text part of the ninth verse of the 69th. Psalm - 'The zeal of Thine house has eaten me up'
A liberal collection was made at the Offertory.
In the evening Divine Worship was again celebrated, when the Sermon was preached by the Rev. Sir George Prevost, Bart.
We understand that tomorrow afternoon* the Rev. Dr. Pusey will preach in Horfield Church.
* Sunday, 14th.February, 1847.
