From the West Briton, Thursday 31st August 1882, page 4.
An important and interesting improvement has been carried out during the past week in the chancel of this parish church, under the superintendence of the Rev. F. C. Hingeston-Randolph, of Ringmore, and at the cost of some members of the family of the late Rev. Alfred Lord, the first vicar of Mithian. The east window has been filled with stained glass, and the sanctuary walls have been decorated, the whole work being a memorial of the late vicar and of his second wife. The artist employed was Mr. Edwin Horwood, of Frome-Selwood, whose work is already favourably known in many parts of Cornwall.
The window consists of four lights, with a single large foliated opening above them, by way of tracery, a design which seemed almost to suggest the treatment which has been adopted; accordingly the lights have been devoted to representations of the Four Evangelists, each with his proper symbol, while in the tracery a beautifully designed group of figures has been introduced, representing our Lord giving His last charge to St. Peter, to whom this church is dedicated. Nothing can be more effective and satisfactory than the execution of this window, the drawing being exceptionally good, and the colours, though subdued in tone and carefully blended, exceedingly rich.
The decorations of the walls of the sanctuary reach to the sill of the east window, and are continued as far as the altar rails on either side. The portion over the altar has been treated as a reredos, being divided into three panels, richly coloured and gilt. In the centre is a picture of the scene at the crucifixion described by St. John, when “there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother and the disciple whom Jesus loved,” and on either side are symbolical representations of wheat and grapes, with the appropriate texts, “I am the Bread of Life,” and “I am the True Vine,” the effect of the whole, when viewed from the nave, being most dignified and impressive.
The parishioners generally are to be congratulated on these beautiful additions to the attractions of their pretty little church; and the energetic vicar, the Rev. J. R. McWilliams Bampfield, may well be encouraged to look forward to the completion of the work so auspiciously commenced. He has already done much for the church since his appointment by the Bishop, only two years ago, especially by the erection of a really fine organ, and the introduction of an efficient stove, which was very much needed.
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