Is situated at the top of Belmont.
This once venerable pile was founded previous to the Norman conquest, by
one of the kings of Mercia, soon after the expulsion of the Britons, on a
site of a palace belonging to one of the princes of Powis, which was
destroyed during the wars between the Britons and their Saxon invaders.
In 1393, a considerable part of the structure was burnt down through the
carelessness of a plumber, then repairing the lead on the roof, who,
frightened at beholding the edifice in flames, endeavoured to escape over
the ford of the Severn, near the eastern gate, but was drowned in the
attempt. In the early part of the year 1788, the church was observed to
be decaying fast, and a respectable architect, who was employed to survey
it, advised that the tower should be taken down, in order to relieve the
mouldering pillars of their vast weight. Unfortunately, this salutary
advice was not acted upon; in lieu thereof, partial repairs were
undertaken, and the attempt to remove a shattered pillar, that a firmer
one might be erected in its place, completed its ruin. On the second day
after the workmen had commenced their destructive operations, the decayed
pillar gave way, and in consequence, the tower fell about four o’clock
the following morning, July 9, 1788, on the roof of the church, and
overwhelmed the greater part of the sacred edifice in ruinous desolation.
About a month previous to this occurrence, the church had been thronged
with thousands, who had assembled to witness the interment of an officer
with military honours.
Although a considerable part of old building remained, it was not deemed
advisable to rebuild the church on its ancient site. The present
fragment of it, which was formerly the Bishop’s chancel, was fitted up
for the purpose of performing the rites of sepulture in, and at this time
it is used as a charity school.
It is worthy of remark, that the light of the reformation first dawned in
Shrewsbury in this church.
St. Alkmond’s Church,
Situate immediately adjoining St. Julian’s, was originally founded by
Elfrida, daughter of Offa, king of Mercia; and like some others in
Shrewsbury, was erected at different periods and in different styles of
architecture in the form of a cross. At the destruction of St. Chad’s
church, the parishioners, alarmed for the safety of their ancient
structure, caused it to be thoroughly examined, and in consequence of
some symptoms of decay exhibited in the roof, they determined on the
demolition of the old church and the erection of a new one on a part of
its site. The present building was accordingly opened for divine worship
in November, 1795, at an expence of about £3000, one half of which might
have been saved by a judicious repair of the original erection, and thus
preserved for ages. The beautiful spire-steeple at the west end, is the
only part which escaped the general devastation. It is 184 feet in
height, and is highly ornamental to the town, especially when seen from
the adjacent country. It contains a musical peal of eight bells.
The plan of the church is an oblong square, 84 feet by 44, with a small
recess for the altar, over which is a handsome painted window, by
Eginton; the subject is emblematical of Faith, kneeling on a cross, with
the eyes elevated and arms extended towards a celestial crown which
appears amidst the opening clouds. “Be faithful unto death, and I will
give thee a crown of life,” is the motto.
Previous to the demolition of the old church, there were a variety of
ancient inscriptions, few of which are now visible. In the church-yard
is a monument to the memory of Alderman William Jones and his wife, the
former of whom died in 1612. It formerly stood in the chantry north of
the chancel; and about sixteen years ago it was munificently repaired by
the late Sir Thomas Tyrwhit Jones, Bart, M.P. the worthy and respected
representative of the family.
The living is in the gift of the crown. Its present incumbent the Rev.
J. Wightman.
St. Giles’s Church,
Of the origin of which no authentic account is known, stands at the
eastern extremity of the Abbey Foregate, and bears marks of considerable
antiquity. By some it has been thought to be the earliest parochial
foundation in Shrewsbury; but others, with more semblance of truth, give
the palm in this respect to the Abbey, to which St. Giles’s is now
attached, merely as a convenience for the performance of funeral
ceremonies; public worship being only celebrated within its walls, twice
every year.
It is a small plain building, consisting of a nave, chancel, and north
aisle, with a small turret for the reception of a bell. Its interior
presents several varieties of architecture, whilst its antique and
worm-eaten benches, its homely pavement, and its almost altogether
unadorned state, combine to give it a simply interesting appearance.
The church-yard contains the tombs of various inhabitants of the town;
among others is one raised to the memory of Cheney Hart, M.D. a native of
Warrington, and an eminent physician of this town for thirty-three years,
on the pedestal of which, crowned with a handsome urn is a Latin
inscription. On the north side the yard is a tomb in memory of William
Congreve, esq. formerly lieutenant-colonel of the 17th foot, and his
relict Jane. This gentleman was a descendant of the ancient family which
gave birth to our celebrated dramatic writer, while his lady, a Waller,
was sprung from that of elegant poet of Beaconsfield. The grave stone of
William White, who was a quarter-master of horse in the reign of William
III. bears the following lines:
In Irish wars I fought for England’s glory;
Let no man scoff at telling of the story:
I saw great Schomberg fall, likewise the brave St. Ruth,
And here I come to die, not there in my youth.
Thro’ dangers great I’ve passed many a storm;
Die we must all as sure as we are born.
_PROTESTANT DISSENTERS_.
IT is always painful to men of sober and moderate principles, to recur to
the Act of Uniformity, which in Bartholomew’s day, 1662, drove from their
livings at least 2000 clergymen, “many of them distinguished by their
abilities and zeal,” to seek subsistence from the charity of friends, and
consolation in times of oppression from the calm testimony of a good
conscience. To this act however, Shrewsbury is indebted for its first
regular dissenting church. The place where they assembled is called
The Presbyterian Chapel.
This congregation was founded by Mr. Bryan and Mr. Tallents, the
ministers ejected from St. Chad’s and St. Mary’s. It was destroyed in
1715, by a mob, soon after the accession of the House of Hanover, and was
rebuilt by government. It stands on the north side of the High Street,
and is a plain building of brick, neatly fitted up. It is now used by a
respectable congregation of Unitarian Dissenters. Minister, the Rev. G.
Case.
In the year 1766, a disagreement took place among the congregation
frequenting the Presbyterian chapel, relative to the choice of a
minister, in consequence of which, they separated, and a part of them
erected a new chapel. It is called
The Independent Chapel,
Situate on Swan Hill, and is a commodious brick erection of an oblong
form. It has a numerous and very respectable society. On the north side
is a vestry. A neat stone tablet on the front bears the following
inscription:
THIS BUILDING WAS ERECTED
IN THE YEAR 1767,
FOR THE PUBLIC WORSHIP OF GOD
AND IN DEFENCE OF THE
RIGHTS OF MAJORITIES
IN PROTESTANT DISSENTING CONGREGATIONS
TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN MINISTERS.
Minister, the Rev. T. Weaver.
The Methodist Chapel,
Called also St. John’s Chapel, is situate on St. John’s Hill, and
previous to the erection of a house in front of part of it, was a great
ornament to the street. It is a neat and extensive brick building of an
oblong form, and is calculated to accommodate a large congregation.
Behind the chapel is a vestry, in which are placed the stairs leading to
the pulpit, which in consequence, has rather a novel appearance to a
stranger, no steps being visible in the chapel. The congregation is
numerous and respectable.