Southwick Holy Trinity Church

THE SUNDERLAND ECHO

January 10, 1895

Southwick Holy Trinity

CHURCH EMBELLISHMENT
In connection with the jubilee of Southwick Parish Church, which was celebrated in December last, somewhat extensive works of renovation and improvement have been carried out, and the interior now presents a most effective appearance, the alterations having been all in the direction of rendering it the more artistic and beautiful. The walls have been painted and tastefully stencilled by Mr Crosby, Tatham-street, and all the woodwork has been varnished; the seats in the body of the church are now furnished with cushions, and those windows which are not stained are reftted with cathedral glass. A handsome new oak communion table with fittings has been erected, and a brass cross is to be placed on the reredos. The reredos itself has been subscribed for by the teachers and children of the National School, and is in fine Caen stone, and the teachers and children of the Mission Sunday School have provided a beautiful brass eagle lectern.

The principal items, however, from the decorative point of view are a number of exquisitely stained glass windows which have been presented. The most striking one is, perhaps, the east end chancel window, which, together with the massive stone work around it, is given by Mr Anthony Scott, of Southwick, in memory of his father and mother and sister and brother. It is charming both in tone and design, and represents the Ascension. At the easternmost end of the south side of the chancel a window has been erected by the Rev. C.S. Collingwood and family in memory of an infant child. The subject here is the Saviour carrying the lamb in His bosom. On the same side of the church and of similar dimensions to the foregoing are two windows inserted by Messrs James, R.C., and Joseph Thompson in memory of their mother. These are symbolical of faith and hope.

Of the two windows on the south side of the nave the eastern one pictures Melchizedek blessing Abraham, and it has been placed there by Mr J.J. Gilbertson in memory of his father and mother. The next window on the same side shows Joseph blessing Ephraim and Menasseh, and has been erected by Mr George Harper in memory of his two sons, Joseph and James. Mr Harper has been clerk to the church nearly ever since it was opened - that is, for a period of about fifty years. Mr Joseph Armitage has contributed the window on the north side of the nave in memory of his father and mother-in-law and of his son, George Armitage. It is a copy of the famous picture "Rock of Ages." A very pleasing and useful addition to the church takes the form of a peal (eight) of Harrington's tubular bells, which are both powerful and musical. These were the gift of Mr Priestman, of Southwick. The money required for carrying out the work will not be less than, even if it is covered by £600. By means of donations, etc., this has been practically raised, but it is not unlikely that when the accounts are made up there will be a balance still to provide for.

The dedication of the reredos, communion table, lectern, the stained glass windows, and the bells, etc., will take place on Friday evening at seven o'clock, when the Rev. Bishop Hornby will conduct the service. On Sunday there will be special services, the Rev. F.C. Macdonald, of St. Hilda's preaching in the morning, and the new Dean of Durham in the evening. In the afternoon of Sunday the Dean will give an address at a children's service.

Mr J. Shields, Fawcett-street, was the architect for the reredos and eastern windows, which have been made and erected by Messrs J. McMillan and Son, Hudson-road. Other stained glass windows were supplied by Messrs Clayton and Bell, London; Mr Gibbs, London; Messrs Bagulay, Newcastle; and the Gateshead Stained Glass Co.