From the Royal Cornwall Gazette, Friday 21st December 1860, page 8.
This Chapel, having lately undergone extensive alterations, was re-opened on ; when sermons were preached and collections were made,—in the morning, afternoon, and evening—in aid of the funds provided for the improvements. In the morning, the Rev. Prebendary Lyne, vicar of Tywardreath, preached from 2nd Samuel, 7ch., 5 v., “See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains,” and Ephesians, 2nd ch., 20, 21, and 22 vv.:—“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”—In the afternoon, the Rev. Orlando Manley, incumbent of St. John’s, preached from the 127th Psalm, 1st verse:—Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.”—In the evening, the sermon was preached by the former incumbent, the Rev. Dr. Tancock, vicar of Tavistock; his text being the 8th verse of the 26th Psalm:—“Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.”—The collections at the services amounted to £35.—The musical services of the day—both special and ordinary—were highly satisfactory, and reflect much credit on the zeal and ability of the choir, and of their conductor—Mr. Cater, who, it is known, has for many years gratuitously performed the duties of organist, in addition to other most valuable services to the Chapel and its schools. The musical services included—in the morning, an anthem by Broadley, from the 24th and two following verses of the 118th Psalm; in the afternoon, Madan’s anthem, “Before Jehovah’s awful throne”; and in the evening, an anthem by Smith—the 24th Psalm.—This day (Thursday), there has been opened at the Council Hall, in aid of the Improvement Funds, a Bazaar of useful and ornamental articles, in large quantity, and in almost infinite variety of taste and design. The Hall is most tastefully fitted up for the occasion; and its centre is occupied by a large and lofty Christmas Tree, bearing on its branches an abundant supply of fancy articles for sale—blossoms which, it is hoped, may prove fruitful of pecuniary profit for the good purpose to which the proceeds are to be applied. The Christmas Tree will be lighted this evening with gas jets; the experimental illumination which was made last evening having proved thoroughly satisfactory; indeed the effect was beautiful and brilliant. The band of the Royal Miners’ Artillery Militia is in attendance; and altogether, the Bazaar is unusually attractive; it has been visited by large numbers to-day; it will remain open to-morrow and Saturday; and we hope to be able to record, in our next number, that the results have proved more than equal to the anticipations of the ladies who have so liberally and so industriously furnished it, for the laudable purpose of liquidating, if possible, all charges due for the improvements which have been effected in the Chapel.
The principal aim of the Committee to whom, on behalf of the congregation, the direction of the alterations was entrusted, has been to make the building in every way suitable for the reception of a numerous and gradually increasing congregation, by affording every facility for sight, sound, and comfort during the hours of service; at the same time endeavouring to impart an air of architectural beauty to the building, so far as their limited pecuniary resources would allow. With these objects in view, their first step has been to provide an apsidal end answering the purpose of a chancel, thereby throwing the space occupied by the old projecting communion-table, pulpit, and reading-desk, into the available space for pewing.—The Organ, orginally standing out into the body of the chapel, has been set back in a recess immediately in rear thereof, and the space thus rendered vacant has been occupied by a new gallery connecting the two side-galleries, and accessible by a stair-case on either side. By these alterations, the chapel will contain sittings for 50 persons more than it originally held.—As the galleries, pulpit, and reading desk were originally fixed, a considerable portion of the congregation were unable to see the minister officiating; and, to correct this fault, it was determined to lower the galleries in front and to remove the pulpit and reading desk, which were on the north and south sides of the building, replacing the same by a pulpit and reading-desk in one structure in the centre of the building, opposite the new chancel-arch.—The lowering of the galleries was successfully accomplished without damage to the ceilings under their floors; and the works have proceeded without accident, to their completion, and the views of the Committee and their architect have been fully carried out.—The gallery pewing has been altered, the backs of the seats being sloped and the seats tilted on the front edge, by which means much additional comfort has been provided for members of the congregation renting sittings in the galleries.—The ventilation of the building has not been overlooked; fresh air is admitted by means of open iron ventilators framed in the floor of the aisles, and the hot air is carried off by means of ornamental ventilators in the ceiling; in both instances the openings being fitted with valves, so that the current of air can be increased or diminished, as may be found desirable.—The very plain character of the existing building and the small amount of funds at the disposal of the Committee precluded the introduction of any great amount of architectural detail; but it is not too much to say that the features that are introduced will form a very good basis for further improvements.—The form of the apse on plan is semi-circular, with domed ceiling; and the chancel is lighted by three double-light windows, with semi-circular heads, each double-light being surmounted by a semi-circular arch, the spandrels being filled in with panels, with coloured tiles. The arches are formed of radiating courses of coloured stone, alternately light and dark. The caps and bases of piers or mullions, are of Bath stone, with shafts of Serpentine. The large arch of the new apse is formed of brick in cement, with bold cement mouldings in recess; and the pilasters, entablature, caps, bases &c., are of the Doric order of architecture. The whole forms a very attractive feature in the building, when contrasted with the blank wall which formerly existed. The pulpit and reading-desk, as before mentioned, are in one; they correspond in character with the architecture of the apse, and one flight of steps serves for both. This arrangement is certainly satisfactory, by its detracting as little as possible from the general view of the alterations and additions.
There are yet many improvements that might with great advantage be carried out. The unsightly bell-turret, in particular, should be removed; it is we understand in wretched repair and not worthy of the time that has been devoted to putting a new face on it. With the well known energy of the Incumbent, the Rev. Orlando Manley, and the Committee (to whom, one and all, too much praise cannot be given), we doubt not that funds will soon be forthcoming to meet this and other requirements.
We must not forget to mention that increased facilities for ingress and egress have been provided by the formation of a new side entrance, and by a division of the one front entrance into two.
The style of architecture adopted is Italian. The designs and working drawings for the additions and alterations were furnished by Mr. William Henry Reid, architect, 22 Courtenay-street, Plymouth; and the works were contracted for and carried out by Mr. Richard Stevens, junr., Kenwyn-street, Truro.
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