Last updated at 11:20, Tuesday, 15 September 2009

THIS is the third part of a short history of St Cuthbert’s Church, Kirkby, written by a former vicar in 1922.

It notes: “Two chests cut out of solid oak are among the most ancient and interesting contents of the church.

“The hagioscope, or squint, which has been partially blocked up, was to enable the worshippers in the chancel to see the altar.

The interior aspect of the church was completely transformed by the restoration which was carried out in 1884.

“Before that date the organ stood in front of the east window, and on either side of it were tiers of seats for the singers, facing west. The altar stood in front of the organ. At the west end was a gallery.

“The pews were of the old horse-box type, and the pulpit was a three-decker.

“All this was changed at the restoration.

“The chapel was extended to the west to make the present north aisle, and the organ was placed at the east end of it.

“The west gallery, and the singers’ seats at the east end, were removed.

“The three-decker pulpit was taken down, and the wood of which it was made was used to line the vestry.

“The east window was restored, and the altar placed in front of it. The old pews were taken away, and modern seats substituted for them.

“A Haggai of the period might well have said: ‘the glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former’.”

l ENDS ON MONDAY

First published at 11:56, Saturday, 24 May 2008
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk