REPTON SCHOOL TERCENTENARY AND FOUNDING OF THE SCHOOL CHAPEL, &c.
The year 1857 was a memorable one for Repton School, for three hundred
years it had existed with varied progress.
A goodly company of Old Reptonians assembled to commemorate the event on
Tuesday the 11th of August. They dined together in the old “big school,”
the Honourable George Denman presided, and was supported by the Masters
of Etwall Hospital, and Repton School, and many others.
The next day a much larger number of invited guests arrived. They again
assembled in the “big school.” At eleven o’clock the Right Honourable
Earl Howe, Chairman of the Governors of Etwall Hospital and Repton School
arrived, the head boy, W. L. Mugliston, delivered a Latin speech. The
Headmaster, Dr. Pears, read an account of the Founder, and founding of
the Hospital and School, of its incorporation by royal charter, granted
by King James I. in 1622, and subsequent benefactions to the School.
He, further, gave an address on the principles, objects, and practical
working of the School, and other kindred institutions. After this all
proceeded to the Church, where they were received by the Incumbent of
Repton, the Rev. W. Williams. The prayers were read by him, and the
Headmaster, the lessons by the Rev. G. M. Messiter, and the Rev. G. P.
Clarke. The sermon was preached by Dr. Vaughan, the Headmaster of Harrow,
the text chosen was Romans XI. 36, “For of Him, and through Him, and to
Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”
After the service the visitors, &c., had luncheon in the “big school,” a
few speeches were made, and the Rev. T. Woodrooffe, Canon of Winchester,
a parent, suggested that a lasting memorial of that day should be a
School Chapel, a most liberal response was made to the appeal.
Hitherto the School had worshipped in the Church, but increasing numbers
had made “the building of a school chapel,” as Dr. Pears said, “no longer
a matter of choice, but of necessity.” A site within the arch was applied
for, but without success: at last the present site was procured, and on
August 26th, 1858, in the presence of a large number of visitors, the
foundation stone was laid. After a special service, Dr. Pears presented a
silver trowel to Earl Howe, who, striking the stone twice with a mahogany
mallet, said, “In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I declare
this stone duly laid.”
Underneath the stone a bottle was placed containing various coins of the
realm, and a parchment, bearing the following memoranda:—
Stet Fortuna Domus.
REPTON SCHOOL CHAPEL.
In commemoration of the 300th Anniversary of the Foundation of
SIR JOHN PORT’S SCHOOL AND HOSPITAL.
The first stone was laid August 26th, 1858,
By RICHARD WILLIAM PENN EARL HOWE,
Acting Governor of the School and Hospital.
Hereditary Governors of the School and Hospital:
EARL HOWE, for Marquis of Hastings, a minor;
EARL CHESTERFIELD; SIR R. GERARD, Bart.
Master of the Hospital—REV. W. E. MOUSLEY;
Headmaster of the School—S. A. PEARS, D.D.;
First Usher—REV. G. M. MESSITER.
Second Usher—REV. G. P. CLARKE.
BUILDING COMMITTEE.
Hon. G. Denman.
Dr. Pears.
Rev. W. E. Mousley.
Rev. G. M. Messiter.
Rev. G. P. Clarke.
A. Hewgill, Esq., M.D.
T. P. Bainbrigge, Esq.
A. N. Mosley, Esq.
I. Clay, Esq.
B. W. Spilsbury, Esq.
Rev. J. F. Bateman.
Rev. E. J. Selwyn.
Rev. J. Davies.
C. Worthington, Esq.
Architect—I. H. STEVENS.
Builders—Messrs. LILLEY & ELLIOTT.
SCHOOL CHAPEL.
The Chapel originally consisted of nave and two transepts, with a
five-light window in the east end. In 1867 a semi-octagonal apse was
added at the east end, in memory of Mrs. Pears, who died in April, 1866.
In 1880 the nave was extended, two bays, westwards, and an organ, built
by Messrs. Gray and Davidson, was fixed to its west wall. In 1884-5 a
south aisle was added, the organ removed to its east end, the middle
window inserted in the west wall of the nave, and gas was introduced. The
style of the building is Perpendicular.
To the memory of Masters, Boys, &c., many of the windows in the apse,
south transept, south aisle, and nave, have been filled with stained
glass, most of them by Messrs. J. Powell and Sons, of Whitefriars, London.
The windows in the apse, three pairs of lights, are full-length figures
of Moses and John the Baptist, two of Our Lord, and S.S. Peter and Paul.
Beneath the figures are medallions illustrating an event in their lives;
(1) Moses striking the rock, (2) John baptizing our Lord, (3) Jesus in
the home at Nazareth, (4) Jesus with S.S. Peter, James and John, (5) S.S.
Peter and John at “the gate Beautiful,” (6) S. Paul preaching at Athens.
IN MEMORIAM HENRICI ROBERTI HUCKIN HANC FENESTRAM AMICI
POSUERUNT.
In the south transept, a beautiful little window, our Lord with an infant
in His lap.
TO THE GLORY OF GOD, AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF E.S.F. 30TH SEP.
1887.
In the south aisle are six pairs of lights, with full-length figures and
medallions, illustrating the Beatitudes.
(1) “Blessed are the meek.” (Moses and S. Timothy.)
PLACED BY MANY SCHOOL AND COLLEGE FRIENDS IN MEMORY OF R. S.
MURRAY SMITH, WHO DIED AT ORIEL COLLEGE OXFORD 17TH NOV. 1886.
AGED 21.
(2) “Blessed are the pure in heart.” (Daniel and S. John.)
IN MEMORY OF EDWARD PREST, M.A., MASTER AT THIS SCHOOL FROM
1880-87. DIED OCT. 18, 1893.
(3) “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after
righteousness.” (David and S. Paul.)
EUSTACE MACLEOD FORBES. BORN NOV. 21, 1862. DIED FEB. 11, 1894.
(4) “Blessed are the merciful.” (Joseph and S. Barnabas.)
FRANCIS HAMAR ELLIOT. BORN AP. 19, 1875. DIED SEP. 6, 1894.
(5) “Blessed are they which are persecuted.” (Abel and S.
Stephen.)
IN LOVING MEMORY OF EUSTACE GEORGE DAVID MAXWELL. WHO DIED DEC.
22, 1884. AGED 18.
(6) “Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Abraham and S. James.)
IN THANKFUL MEMORY OF HENRY HUGHES DOBINSON, ARCHDEACON OF THE
NIGER. WHO AFTER SERVING GOD AS A BOY AT THIS SCHOOL DIED IN
HIS MASTER’S SERVICE AT ASABA. AP. 13TH, 1897. AGED 33 YEARS.
At the west end of the south aisle is a three-light window. Subject:
“Christ the Light of the World.”
IN DEI GLORIAM EX AMORE HUJUS SACELLI JOSEPHUS ET JOHANNES
GOULD HANC FENESTRAM INSERENDAM CURAVERUNT A.S. MDCCCLXXXV.
The rose window in the west end of the nave was placed there by E.
Estridge, Esq., in 1881.
The three lights below representing Faith, Hope, and Charity.
(1) IN DEI GLORIAM UNUS E MAGISTRIS. (2) IN MEMORIAM JOHANNIS
DOUGLAS BINNEY HUJUS SCHOLÆ E MAGISTRIS OB. ID. JUN.
MDCCCLXXXIII. (3) IN DEI GLORIAM REPANDUNENSES.
At the east end of the nave is a beautiful window with angels and flowers.
“IN THE BLESSED HOPE OF EVERLASTING LIFE WE DEDICATE THIS
WINDOW TO THE MEMORY OF OUR DEARLY LOVED SON FREDERICK WILLIAM
HESSE WHO FELL ASLEEP AT REPTON MAR. 16, 1895. AGED 14 YEARS.
A. AND M. H.”
On the walls in the apse are three brasses in memory of three
Headmasters—Drs. Peile, Pears and Huckin. In the choir are brasses in
memory of Mr. Messiter, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Latham, Assistant Masters.
In the south transept a brass in memory of the Right Honble. George
Denman.
Mrs. Huckin presented the brass lectern to the Chapel in 1880.
In 1884 a bell, bearing the following inscription,
DEO D.D. TRES ARCHIDIDASCALI FILIOLÆ,
was placed in the chapel turret.
On the nave walls are brasses in memory of the following boys:—C. P.
Aylmer, J. H. P. Lighton, J. A. Barber, C. F. Blagg, N. Baskerville
Mynors, H. Goodwin Brooks, F. Levy, A. S. Darrock, J. Stratford Collins.
On the outside of the Chapel, round the three sides of the apse, and
along the south side, are the following inscriptions:—
AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM ET E. T. P. DESIDERATISSIMÆ IN MEMORIAM
A.S. MDCCCLXVII.
DEO SERVATORI HANC ÆDEM SCHOLÆ REPANDUNENSIS PER ANNOS CCC
INCOLUMIS PRÆSIDES ALUMNI AMICI POSUERUNT A.S. MDCCCLVIII.
AUGENDAM. CURAVERUNT A.S. MDCCCLXXX.
[Illustration: Plate 11.
Repton Hall, from the North. (Page 81.)
Porter’s Lodge. (Page 86.)]