1868 – St. Mary’s Church, Lichfield, Staffordshire

“THE erection of one of the most fitting of the many visible memorials of the late Bishop Lonsdale was formally commenced at Lichfield on July 30. The Rev. Canon Lonsdale, younger son of the late beloved bishop, succeeded to the living, and the necessity for rebuilding the church as a matter of safety as well as of taste and convenience led to the determination to erect a new building which should harmonise with the beautiful tower and spire in memory of the late bishop. The estimated cost is £8,000, and towards this the family of the late diocesan contributed £4, 000, and the rest has been subscribed with the exception of about £1,000. When the tower and spire were erected Mr. Street prepared plans for a new church, but it was determined to invite competition for the design, and the result was that the plans of Mr. James Fowler, architect, of Louth, in Lincolnshire, were selected. The new church will consist of a nave 70ft. long with north and south aisles, and a chancel 30ft. long, and will accommodate 900 persons. It will be built of stone polished in- side and out. The east wiu.iow will be very large and elegant, and there will be six three-light windows on each side, and a four-light window at the east end of each of the aisles. The principal entrance will be on the north side, where near the tower there will be a very handsome doorway with deeply recessed and moulded arch, and carved capitals. There is a good deal of carving in the design, which includes a handsome reredos with columns of Devonshire marble, massive carved oak stalls, and altar rail in the chancel. On the south side of the chancel there will be an organ chamber and vestry, and on the north side, over the family vault, a chapel for the Dyott family. The contract has been taken by Messrs. Critchlow and Hard, builders, of Uttoxeter.” The Building News, September 25 1868.