The Short History and Guide of All Saints Southill
INTRODUCTION
WELCOME
EARLY PATRONAGE
EARLY BUILDING
BEQUESTS
REGISTERS
CHURCHWARDENS' EXPENCES
MAJOR REPAIRS
LATER REPAIRS
RECENT MAINTENACE
INTRODUCTION
It is hoped that this Short History and Guide will be of interest and help to all visitors to All Saints Church in the Parish of Southill. Also it is hoped that by reading it the visitor may be more able to appreciate this great heritage which is ours.This second edition of the guide draws mainly on the text of the work carried out by Rev Ken Ashworth when he prepared the first edition in 1969. It has been reset and restyled with the aid of new technologies that have been developed during the last quarter of a century and are now readily available.
I am most grateful to the Bishop of Wolverhampton, Michael Bourke, for kindly writing the Foreword. He was Vicar of Southill from 1978 to 1986 before taking an appointment as Archdeacon of Bedford and subsequently Bishop in 1993.
Quoting from the introduction to the first edition:- "The preparation of such a guide required the help and assistance from many people and grateful thanks are expressed to Mr. S.C.Whitbread for all his helpful co-operation, information and advice and for the loan of books from his library at Southill Park; to Miss P.Bell and Mrs. Richards of the County Record Office; to Mr. E.C.Wood for the drawing of the old Church; to Mr. B.West for the drawing of the Church on the front cover; to Mr. F.C.Levitt for a series of notes on the Church fabric; to the Biggleswade Chronicle for the permission to reproduce the photographs of the Byng Epitaphs."
Colin McCartney
Past Churchwarden Back to top
WELCOME
We recommend that you pay a visit to our ancient Parish Church and it is our hope that you will not only greatly enjoy your visit but that you will share with us the beauty, simplicity and peace of our Church, so great and precious a heritage. For although the Church as you see it today is largely the result of a vast repair scheme in 1814, which almost amounted to a rebuilding, there is ample evidence that from the thirteenth century there has been a church here in which worship has been offered to Almighty God, the Sacraments administered, and the Word of God preached. Back to topEARLY PATRONAGE
From the list of Rectors and Vicars of Southill, dating from 1225 A.D., you will see that the Prior and Convent of Newnham (Bedford) had the Advowson (Patronage) of the living from 1250 until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1540. In the list of the lands of Dissolved Religious Houses of 1540 Southill, in the County of Bedford, was listed as belonging to Newnham, and the Rectory (or Living) of Southill was also possessed by the Prior and Convent. In the same list it was stated, too, that Warden Monastery owned land in Southill with Brome, and collected rents in Southill, Standford and Brome (now spelt Stanford and Broom).We can conclude therefore, that during the period 1250-1540 the Vicars whose names are recorded were Members of the Order at Newnham, and possibly lived mostly at the Priory House, travelling out to Southill to perform their religious duties. Monasteries were dissolved by King Henry VIII, and from that time until 1667 the Patronage of the living was held by various individuals, including the Queen from 1562 to 1598. From 1667 the Patronage has been the right of the owner of Southill Estate, beginning with Sir John Keeling (or Kelynge), then the Torrington family 1711-1795, and the Whitbread family from 1795 to the present day. (Although temporarily, the Bishop of Bedford has suspended the patronage until the Deanery reorganisation has been carried out) Back to top
EARLY BUILDING
Several parts of the building architecturally point to this early history. On the outside, parts of the old stone building are clearly seen and the lower part of the tower is possibly the oldest part of the fabric. Inside, in the west bay, there is a three-light North Window, with geometrical tracery of very good style, covered with cement but clearly old and probably dating from about 1300. Other features are noted in the second part of this history. Back to topBEQUESTS
It is interesting to note in this early period of the church that it was customary for parishioners to leave bequests to the Church in their will. Thus John Cotton of 'Brome' who died on the 2nd March 1500 left 'to the Church of Lincoln 12d; to the high altar of the Church of All Saints Southill for tithes forgotten 20d; to the use of the Church aforesaid 13s.4d; for an honest priest to celebrate for the souls of testator, his parents and all the faithful departed for half a year 4 marks.'Margaret Cotton of Southill who died on the 3rd June 1502 left 'to the high altar of the Church of All Saints' Southill 12d; to the Church of Lincoln 6d; to the Church of Southill 40d.' John Maynard of 'Brome' who died on the 21st April 1522, left 'to the high altar for tithes and oblations forgotten 3s.4d; to the Church of Lincoln 2d; to the making of a new aisle 'now beginning' of the north side of the Church 40s.' The Residue of his estate was to be spent in repairing the highway from his home in 'Brome' to the church gate at Southill where 'most needfull to be done'.
On the first day of the month of August in 1532 John Hychman of Stanford in the parish of Southill made his will 'I do bequeath my soull to Almighty God and my body to be buryed in the church yard of Southill aforesaid. I bequeath to my Mother church of Lincoln 4d. and to the hye autor of Southill aforesaid for oblacions and tythes forgotten 12d.'
Just one more example Richard Randall of Brome in the parish of Sowthenell, after committing his soul to Almighty God and his body to be 'bureyed in the churche yarde of All Sanets in Sowthyenell - he bequeathed - 'to the high autor in Sowthyell for tithes and oblacyand by me neclygently forgotten 2d. - also a crosse clothe price 10s.' (i.e. a cloth to veil the Cross during Lent). Back to top
REGISTERS
Registers of the Church dating from 1538 to 1895 can be seen in the Bedford County Record Office. Many interesting details are recorded in the Southill Churchwardens' Book spanning the years 1785 to 1952. It is a large volume 15" x 10" x 2½" thick, strongly bound in calf and containing nearly 300 leaves of beautiful hand?made paper. On the front cover is a leather panel on which is printed in bold lettersIsaac Windsor
Thomas Wells Church Wardens
This book contains the accounts in considerable detail for the years from 1785 to 1952. Back to top
CHURCHWARDENS' EXPENCES
The Churchwardens' Accounts (from 1754-1811) give a detailed picture of the day-to-day running of the Church. The bells seem to have needed fairly frequent repairs:'Mr.Wooadrns the Church Woorden a bill for reparien the Beels'
March 2. 1765
for laying 5lb on the fourth bell
gudgeon at 8d. lb.......................................................£0.3s.4d.
for lining the pin, a key and cotter...............................£0.0s.8d.
for 8 large keys 1 iron to the stock 2lb.........................£0.2s.8d.
for lining the iron pin to the pulley................................£0.0s.4d.
for mending a lock and a key to the belfry....................£0.0s.9d
for 2 new gudgeons to the third bell
14lb. at 8d.................................................................£0.9s.4d.
for 3lb. iron wedge to do.............................................£0.2s.0d.
for altering the clapper, 2 new keys.............................£0.1s.6d.
for lining a large stple 1 iron to the
wheel 2lb. 2 keys......................................................£0.1s.6d
for lining the pulley iron 30 nails..................................£0.0s.10
for altering the little bell clapper
2 keys, ....................................................................£0.2s.6d.
for lining the pulley iron along holdfast.........................£0.1s.0d.
paid to Will Osborn for helping.....................................£0.0s.6d.
...............................................................................£1.7s.7½
We learn that each Easter the surplices and linen were washed and the clock was oiled. Repairs to the clock are mentioned often and there is frequent reference to the repairing of the village stocks. Among the payments made by the churchwardens are sums for killing vermin, pole-cats, hedgehogs, sparrows and their eggs. In addition to the repair of the church and churchyard, the expenditure of each year included the clerk's salary and expenses, provision of wine for the Sacrament, provision of books and of forms of Prayer for special occasions, payment for bellringing, confirmations and the Churchwardens' visitation. The last occasion for an entry for sparrows was in 1786, viz,
To Mr.Wells - Bill for sparrows for the
months June-July 1786....................................................£1.19s.0d.
An entry in 1788, March 28, reads thus:
Albone - Bill is Annually and has been for
many years back One pound for winding
up the clock, Ten shillings for washing
the linen for the Sacrament and Thirteen
shillings & 4d. for what is called Basket
Money.
1789 Jan 20th Paid Wm. Walker as per
Bill for the Stocks...........................................................£1.9s.0d.
1793 Paid for letter to be read concerning
the French Clergy...........................................................£0.1s.0d.
(Collections were made throughout England for the relief of the French Clergy who emigrated on account of the troubles and persecutions in their own country: when at Southill and Old Warden the collection was £61.19s.6d.) Back to top
MAJOR REPAIRS
An old drawing of the Church gives us an idea of what it looked like before the extensive repairs and alterations in 1814. A reproduction of this drawing is given on page 10, and it will be seen that the roof was pitched for slate or tiling, and most probably in earlier years for thatch. There were two gables on the south wall and two on the north wall. In addition to the east window there was also a window in the Byng Vault in the north-eastern corner of the church. However in the year 1811 the church was in urgent need of repair and the specification included a re?roofing of the church which would then have a flat one covered with copper; parapets were to be built on the north and south sides, putting in two new windows and repairing the existing windows, new doors, extensive repairs to the Tower, including rehanging the five bells and provision of a new bell; and inside the church raising the level of the chancel and providing a new pulpit, and a reading desk and a Clerk's desk.The cost of these repairs was £3,800, and at the same time the chancel was repaired by Mr. Samuel Whitbread at a cost of £2,000. It was decided to raise the £3,800 by means of annuities. Eight people loaned sums of varying amounts and the Churchwardens guaranteed half-yearly payments during their lives. The rate of the annuity depended upon the age of the annuitant and ranged from 9% in the case of one aged 50, to 18% for one aged 70, and the responsibility for payment of the annuities went on until the last annuitant died in 1836. As each of them Iived to a ripe old age the repayments totalled in all £5,037.10s.6d., and this turned out to be rather an expensive way of raising money. Indeed, one annuitant - Mrs.Elizabeth Heather of Hitchin - loaned £150 when she was 70 for an annual payment of £27.6s.Od. She lived until she was 88 and when she died in 1831 she had received £469 in return for her investment. The Table on page 12 gives details of the various annuities
The church was re-opened for Divine Worship on Sunday, 20th November, 1814 although some of the painting was not quite finished. In 1817 only £250 was needed to complete the payment for the work, amounting to £3,800, and a Vestry Meeting authorised a further annuity to be raised for this purpose. It has been said that this restoration which "gives Southill Church its present rather austere appearance came a little too late for 'Gothic' romance and a little too early for archaeological accuracy." The re?building, together with the general appearance of the interior, was scathingly criticised in an article (part of a series on Bedfordshire churches) which appeared in THE NORTHAMPTON MERCURY on December 7th, 1846, and was reproduced in THE BEDFORDSHIRE TIMES. The writer, W.A., began his article 'The whole of the church has not long since suffered what an inscription chooses to class as repairs. A reward is offered by the Churchwardens for the discovery of any persons defacing the fabric, a privilege which we presume these functionaries desire to monopolise, and it must be confessed that the aspect of the church affords abundant proof of their fitness for the task,' (This notice can still be seen in the Church porch). He went on to criticise the fittings of the church, especially the Family Pew at the west end, and the high pews attached to the walls in the north and south aisles. (These were removed by Faculty in 1957). The pulpit and the reading desk, whilst said to be better placed than usual 'were very poor examples' These were evidently made of deal and in 1912 were replaced by new ones made of oak. 'The whole is as smooth as the handiwork of the plasterer could make it and consequently all vestiges of architectural ornament either removed or covered over.'
However, an article in THE BEDFORDSHIRE TIMES dated June 2nd, 1899, by A.H. gives a very praiseworthy description of the church. The simplicity which prevailed clearly pleased him. He wrote, 'the pulpit and the prayer desk are plain and neat; all the appointments are extremely simple; if there were at any time sedilia, credence table, piscina, they have disappeared.' He concluded his article - 'The Church is an excellent example of a carefully kept and neatly appointed evangelical place of worship. No incongruous decorations mar the effect of the simple and impressive architecture.'
'A true Note and Terrier of Tithes and other gifts belonging to the Vicarage and Parish Church of Southill' was made by the then Vicar the Reverend Frederick H. Neve ? and the Churchwardens, James Snitch and John Humberstone in June 1822. This was shown at the visitation of the 'Honourable and Right Reverend Father in God, George, Lord Bishop of Lincoln' held at Bedford on the 25th June, 1822. In this the Parish Church is described as 'an ancient building, repaired and new pewed, the roofs covered with copper, in the year 1814.' The description goes on 'the Church contains a tablet of the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer and the Belief, a Communion Table with a covering of red cloth, also a linen cloth for the same. The Church contains a font of stone, pulpit, Reading and Clerk 's Desks, a cushion for the pulpit, the King's arms adjoining, and under the same roof is a Vestry.' Back to top
LATER REPAIRS
Later RepairsSince that time repairs and restoration of the fabric have been undertaken at regular intervals. In 1836 the roof of the North Aisle was found to be decayed by dry rot and the necessary repairs were carried out. In 1848 and 1892 extensive roof repairs were effected and this care has been maintained right up to the present time. The walls of the Naves and Chancel were repaired in 1923 and 1927. In 1954 extensive repairs were carried out, mainly to the South Aisle, Porch and rainwater heads and fall pipes, under the direction of Professor A.E. Richardson. In1958?9 when the box pews were removed, all the remaining woodwork, the pews and roof timbers were sprayed under Mr. Monks' (of Old Warden) supervision, and the whole of the interior of the Church was cleaned and limewashed by Messrs. H.J. Webb & Son (of
Southill). In 1961 the first quinquennial inspection of the church, under the Diocesan Scheme - the Inspection of Churches Measure, 1955 - was made by the appointed architect, Mr. F.C. Levitt, F.R.I.B.A., of Biggleswade. The architect's recommendations were carried out under three headings:
1. The more urgent matters of repair.
2. The remaining work to the church fabric.
3. Work required to be carried out to the Byng Vault
The work was done by Mr. J.T.G. Godman of Southill and completed before 1966, when another inspection was made by Mr. Levitt, and again the necessary work was classified under urgent and not so urgent repairs. Extensive repairs to the roof and parapet of the South Aisle were done by Mr. Godman in 1967 at a cost of over £900. In these ways the fabric of the church as you see it today is in excellent condition, and still merits the praise of the writer A.R. in THE BEDFORDSHIRE TIMES of June 1899 already referred to 'the church is an excellent example of a well-kept place of worship.' Back to top
RECENT MAINTENACE
During the period of Revd.Mike Bourke's incumbency, Mr. V.J.Farrar was appointed architecht in 1984 and the first decision made was to completely redecorate the interior of the Church and, to ease the cost burden, Revd. Bourke made an approach to the organisers of the Youth Opportunity Scheme - part of the Manpower Services Commission. As a result the redecoration was carried out in the spring of 1985, taking just three months to complete, at a cost of £1200 - the basic material costs.One of the major problems facing the newly appointed Vicar, Revd. Michael Redfearn, and the Churchwardens in 1986 was the outcome of the first Quinquenniel Inspection carried out by Mr.Farrar. He made 58 recommendations for external repair work of which 9 were top priority - all on the main building. The second priority work was mainly repair to the tower. Following much hard work by the small but faithful congregation and through some generous donations and Charity Grants, the priority repair work was completed in 1992 by Boden and Ward at a cost of £20,000.
Time never stands still and the next Quinquenniel Inspection was due having been delayed a year while the repairs were in hand. The major requirements this time were associated with the stonework on the tower. This work was completed at a cost of £57,500 at the beginning of 1995. Again this was only made possible by generous donations and Charity Grants supported by the efforts of the congregation Back to top