possesses a very pleasing appearance. The basement of the tower forms
the vestibule, which is flanked on one side by the vestry, and on the
other by the stairs leading to the gallery. The aisles of the nave and
transepts are occupied by free benches, with a passage on either hand,
the pews being placed along the side walls of the entire building.
The font is of free-stone, and placed on a pedestal in the area between
the transepts; the basin is octangular, having on its side compartments a
small quatrefoil sunk within a square panel.
On each side of the communion table are two carved gothic chairs; and
nearly the whole extent of the eastern wall of the chancel is covered
with a handsome altar skreen.
The three lancet windows are filled with splendid stained glass.
The subject occupying the centre window is a full-length figure of
ISAIAH, in an attitude strikingly prophetic, and clothed in a brilliant
vest of purple, over which is thrown a green robe lined with ermine,
denoting his royal descent.
The corresponding windows on each side have spirited figures of ST.
MATTHEW and ST. MARK. The former exhibits deep and serious meditation,
with a most benign countenance; in his right hand is a halbert, and in
his left a Greek manuscript. ST. MARK is a most venerable figure, whose
head appears covered with the frost of hoary years, and he is pointing to
an open gospel which he holds in his left hand.
The figures stand on rich bases, which display an highly ornamented
quatrefoil, and are surmounted by canopies of the most elegant crocketed
tabernacle work, which have a truly pleasing effect.
At the base of the window is a series of pointed arches in ruby glass,
beneath which is the following inscription: HANC • FENESTRAM • PICTURATAM
• AEDIS • SANCTI • GEORGII • DECORANDAE • ERGO • DONAVIT • RICARDUS •
SCOTT • SACRAE • THEOLOGIAE • BACCALAUREUS • ANNO • SALUTIS •
MDCCCXXXIII.
The triple windows of the north and south transepts are also embellished
by the same benefactor with elegant mosaic patterns of elaborate
workmanship, vying in richness and mellowness of colouring with the
finest specimens of ancient stained glass.
The taste displayed in the execution of these windows is highly
creditable to the talents of our townsman, Mr. David Evans, and will, we
trust, long remain as a noble example of private generosity.
Attached to the west end is a deep gallery of free seats, which contains
a small organ, presented by the Rev. Richard Scott, B.D. in 1834.
The church was erected by a public subscription and a grant from the
commissioners for building churches. The total cost, exclusive of the
site, was nearly £4000, of which sum, however, £400 has been vested in
the name of trustees as a fund for future repairs.
There are 57 pews which will accommodate 290 persons, and 460 free and
unappropriated sittings.
The right of presentation is in the vicar of St. Chad’s.
* * * * *
THE OLD HOSPITAL OF ST. GEORGE stood on a site eastward between the
present church and the Welsh bridge, which latter, as early as the reign
of Henry II. was called “Saint George’s Bridge.” About the year 1150,
the Bishop of Coventry, considering the great poverty of the brethren of
the Hospital of St. George, Salop, released to all who should contribute
to their necessities “thirteen days of penance enjoined them, and a share
of all the prayers and alms within his Bishoprick.” In 1418 the church
appears to have been in the gift of the Crown, and is supposed to have
been taken down early in the reign of Elizabeth.