SHEFFIELD:
Sheffield description, 1852
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THE CHURCHES OF SHEFFIELD, 1852
The PARISH CHURCH (St. Peter and the Holy Trinity,) is a large rectangular
Gothic structure, nearly in the centre of the town, and has a tower
in the centre, surmounted by a lofty spire. Originally this spacious fabric
was in the form of a cross, but the angles were filled up at different periods,
and from 1800 to 1806, the whole exterior underwent a general repair, and
was partially rebuilt, and the interior re-pewed. The interior has about
2000 sittings, and consists of a spacious nave, two side aisles, and a chaccel ;
the latter of which is rich in ancient and modern sculpture,-having
the tombs of three Earls of Shrewsbury, and two beautiful productions of
the chisel of Sir Francis Chantrey. In the tower is a peal of ten bells, a
set of chimes, and an excellent clock with an illuminated dial. The vicar-
age, which is valued in the King's Books at £12. 15s. 2d., is now only
valued at about £500, though before the late sub-division of this large
parish it was valued at £1285 per ann. It is in the alternate patronage of
Philip Gell, Esq., of Hopton, and A. Lawson, Esq., of Boroughbridge.
From 1805 till his lamented death, in 1851, it was held by the late Rev.
Thomas Sutton, D.D. The present vicar is the Rev. Thomas Sale, M.A.,
and associated with him are three assistant ministers, viz.:-The Rev. Saml.
Earnshaw, M.A., the Rev. John Gibson, M.A., and the Rev. George Trevor,
M.A., canon of York. The Rev. E. S. Murphy, M.A., officiates for Mr. Gib-
son; and the Rev. S. R. Spicer, M.A., is the vicar's curate. Mr. John
Kirk is the clerk; Mr. Isaac Chatterton, the sexton; and Mr. Bothamley,
the organist. The CHURCH BURGESSES were incorporated by a char-
ter of Queen Mary, in 1554, and invested with property for the support of
the three assistant ministers; the reparation of the church, bridges, &c.;
and the relief of the poor. Their income from land, buildings, &c., amounts
to upwards of £1600 per annum. The present list of these 12 Trustees, or
Church Burgesses, is as follows: Messrs. John Porter, Henry Newbould,
Henry Wilson, Samuel Revell, James Creswick, (capital;) Fras. Huntsman,
Robert Younge, Henry Furniss, Edward Hudson, Geo. Hounsfield, Thos.
Creswick, and C. F. Younge. Mr. John James Wheat is their clerk. They
allow yearly salaries of £400 to each of the three assistant ministers, one
of whom (Canon Trevor) was appointed in 1850, but has hitherto
been prevented by the late and present vicar from performing duty in St.
Peter's church. Mr. H. Webster is collector of the vicar's easter-dues.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, in Norfolk street, is a handsome Grecian fabric,
which was built by subscription in 1720 and '21; but it was not opened as
a chapel of ease till 1740. It has several neat mural tablets, and a bust of
one of its late ministers, executed by Chantrey. The perpetual curacy,
valued at £136, is in the incumbency of the Rev. James Knight, M.A., who
is assisted by his son, the Rev. James Knight, B.A. Henry Beckett is
clerk, Abraham Beckett, sexton, and Mr. G. J. Crossley, organist.
ST. JAMES' CHURCH, a square building, in the Grecian style, was finished
in 1789, at the cost of more than £3000, raised in £50 shares, each of
which entitles its possessor to a pew as a freehold inheritance. It is 71½
feet long, and 42½ broad ; and in its east window is a representation of the
Crucifixion, executed by Peckitt, in 1797. The perpetual curacy, valued at
£160, is in the incumbency of the Rev. Thomas Best, M.A. The Rev. F.
C. Morton, B.A., is the assistant curate; Thomas Hudson, sexton; and
M. Chatterton, clerk.
ST. GEORGE'S Church stands in a burial ground of 22 acres, extending
from Portobello street to Broad lane. The first stone was laid July 19th,
1821, and the fabric was finished in 1825, at the cost of £14,819, which
was given by Parliament. It is a handsome structure, in the style which
prevailed in the 14th century, and is 122 feet long, and 67 broad, with a
noble tower at the west end, rising to the height of 139 feet. It has 2000
sittings, one half of which are free. The altar piece is a beautiful painting
of Christ blessing little children, by Paris, who presented it to the church
in 1831. The perpetual curacy (£400 per annum) is in the incumbency
of the Rev. Wm. Mercer, M.A. The assistant curates are the Rev. Thomas
Clark, B.A., and the Rev. John Shaw. Mr. Wm. Kirk is sexton; C. Corbidge,
clerk ; and Mr. P. Phillips, organist.
ST. PHILIP'S CHURCH is a neat Gothic structure, near the junction of
the Penistone and Infirmary roads, and was built by Parliament at the cost
of nearly £12,000. The first stone was laid Sept. 25th, 1822. It is 95
feet long, and 79 broad. The perpetual curacy, valued at £135, is in the
incumbency of the Rev. J. Livesey, M.A. The Rev. - Watton is assistant
curate; and Mr. Joseph Cartledge is cleric and sexton.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH, at the foot of Bramall lane, is a handsome struc-
ture, in the florid Gothic style, standing in a spacious burial ground, given
by the Duke of Norfolk. It was built by Parliament at the cost of
£12,649. 19s. 5d. The first stone was laid October 12th, 1826, and the
edifice was consecrated July 21st, 1830. The perpetual curacy, valued at
£190, is in the incumbency of the Rev. Henry Farish, M.A. Mr. Thomas
Preston, is clerk, and James Dyson, sexton.
ST. JOHN'S Church, on the lofty summit of Park Hill, stands in a burial
ground of nearly three acres, given by the Duke of Norfolk, and was erected
in 1836, at the cost of about £3500, raised by subscription. It is a neat
Gothic edifice, 52 feet broad, and 102 feet long, exclusive of the tower,
which is surmounted by a spire, rising to the height of 100 feet. The Rev.
E. G. Kelly, M.A., is incumbent of the perpetual curacy, which is in the
patronage of trustees. The Rev. J. M. Lewes is assistant curate, and Wm.
Parker, clerk and sexton.
TRINITY CHURCH, in Nursery street, is a neat structure in the lancet
pointed style, erected in 1847-8 for the Wicker District Parish, at the sole
expense of the Misses Harrison, of Weston Hall. It was consecrated Oct.
13th, 1848, and has 1000 sittings, of which 333 are free. Mr. Flockton
was the architect, and the interior is admirably adapted for public worship,
being light and tastefully arranged. The first stone was laid by Joseph
Wilson, Esq., June 30th, 1847. There is a handsome tower at the west
end, and the exterior walls are of durable blue stone, with white quoins and
dressings. The fronts of the galleries have open panels, and the east win-
dow is filled with beautiful stained glass, executed by Messrs. Drury and
Smith. The perpetual curacy has been endowed with £150 per annum by
the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and is in the patronage of the Misses
Harrison. The Rev. Wm. Wilkinson is the incumbent.
ST. JUDE'S CHURCH, near the foot of Eldon street, is a neat structure in
the English style of architecture which prevailed in the 13th century. It
was built from designs by Mr. Joseph Mitchell, the architect, at the cost of
about £2100, raised by subscription, except £500 given by the Incorporated
and Church Building Societies. A tower and spire are intended to be
added, at the cost of £500, as soon as the funds can be raised. The site
(935 yards) was given by Saml. Younge, Esq., who laid the first stone June
14th, 1848, and the Church was opened June 16th, 1849. It bas 730 sit-
tings, of which 526 are free, and there is room for galleries when required.
Coal had been got under the church, and consequently the foundation had
to be made on 33 stone pillars, rising from the bottom of the mine. All the
pews are open at one end, except forty which are appropriated for private
use. The new ecclesiastical Parish of Eldon, for which this church has
been erected, comprises about 6000 souls, and its boundaries are noticed
at page 14. The perpetual curacy has been endowed with £150 per annum
by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and is in the alternate patronage
of the Crown and Archbishop. The Rev. George Sandford, M.A., is the
first and present incumbent. There is also a ST. JUDE's CHURCH, in Moorfields District.
Pitsmoor Church, dedicated to Christ, is a small stone fabric in the
Early English style, and was built in 1850, at the cost of about £2500, of
which £2000 was raised by subscription, and the remainder was granted by
the Incorporated Society and her Majesty's Commissioners. It has 800 sittings,
of which 525 are free. The Rev. Hy. Barlow, M.A., is the first and
present incumbent of the perpetual curacy, valued at £150, and in the alternate
patronage of the Crown and Archbishop.
Besides the eleven churches in the town, there are in the out-townships
six neat modern churches at Attercliffe, Darnall, Ecclesall, Crookes, Fulwood,
and Heeley. At Shrewsbury Hospital is a commodious chapel of Gothic
architecture, with pews for a large congregation ; and there is a handsome
little church in the consecrated portion of the Cemetery, as afterwards no-
ticed. There are in the parish of Sheffield seventeen episcopal places of
worship, in which are sittings for about 20,000 hearers, of which more than
9000 are free. In a few years, churches will no doubt be erected in Carver
street, Hollis croft, Gillcar, Dyer's hill, and Brightside districts, which are
already provided with incumbents, who at present preach in licensed rooms,
and have yearly stipends of £130 each, as noticed at preceding pages, in
the description of the 25 ecclesiastical districts.
The ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, in Norfolk row, is dedicated to the Virgin
Mary, and occupies the site and precincts of the old chapel, which was
built in 1814, and enlarged in 1837. This handsome structure was erected
from designs by Messrs. Weightman and Hadfield, in the same style as
the noble cross church of Heckington in Lincolnshire, which is one of
the finest specimens of the pure old decorated parish churches in
England. It cost about eight thousand pounds, and was opened with
great pomp on September 11th, 1850. The length of the building front
east to west, externally, is 154 feet; width of transept, 92 ; height to ridge
of nave, 60; and height in the aisles, 20 feet.. The tower stands at the south,
west angle, and is terminated by an elegant spire, with crocketted lights
in alternate stages, and surmounted by a ball and weathercock. The total
height of the tower and spire is 200 feet, and the former has a large and
deep-toned bell, and is to have a peal. The south side of the building
towards Norfolk row is very interesting, and is highly enriched with canopied
buttresses, niches, figures of saints, and other devices. The chancel
window has seven lights, and the head is filled with beautiful flowing tracery.
The windows are enriched with stained glass, representing the principal
events of the life of the Virgin Mary. The Revs. Edmund Sculley, Joseph
Hill, and M. Callebert, are the priests.
There are about forty DISSENTING CHAPELS in the six townships
of Sheffield parish, and of these 26 are in the town. The Friends' Meeting
House, near Bank street and Hartshead, was rebuilt in 1764, and again in
1806, and has a numerous and respectable congregation, as also have many
of the other chapels. Upper Chapel, in Norfolk street, was built in 1700, and
rebuilt in 1848, with a handsome stone front. The old chapel was erected
by Presbyterians, but its congregation became Unitarian many years ago.
The Independents or Congregationalists have six chapels in the town, and
several of them are neat and commodious buildings, with numerous and
influential congregations. The oldest is the Nether Chapel, in Norfolk
street, which was built in 1715, and rebuilt in 1826-7. It has been many
years under the ministry of the Rev. Thomas Smith, M.A. Lee Croft Chapel,
where the Rev. W. B. Landells is pastor, was erected in 1780, and
repaired and enlarged about 13 years ago. Queen Street Chapel was built in
1784, and is now under the ministry of the Rev. J. H. Muir. Garden
Street Chapel is a small fabric, which was built in 1780, and is at present
without a regular minister. The Rev. Jph. James Shrubsole is now minister
of Howard Street Chapel, built in 1790. Mount Zion Chapel, a handsome
stone structure in Westfield terrace, erected in the years 1834-5, is
now under the ministry of the Rev. David Loxton.
Here are three BAPTIST CHAPELS; one in Townhead street, which has
long been under the ministry of the Rev. Charles Larom, and was built in
1814; one at Portmahon, (Rev. J. E. Giles,) built in 1838 and the other
in Eyre street, built in 1841. The latter belongs to the General Baptists,
and is under the ministry of the Rev. Henry Ashbery. The General Bap-
tists have also a meeting room in Eldon street.
The WESLEYAN METHODISTs have six large chapels here, viz.:-Norfolk
Street Chapel, built in 1780, and enlarged in 1833 ; Carver Street Chapel,
built in 1804; Ebenezer Chapel, near Moorfields, erected in 1823 ;
Bridgehouses Chapel, erected in 1795, but rebuilt in 1833; the Park Chapel, built
in 1841; and Brunswick Chapel, a large and handsome stone fabric, erected
in 1833, and having seats for 2000 hearers. They have also four small
chapels at Owlerton Bar, Crookes Moor, Heeley, and the Manor. The NEw
Connexion Methodists have three commodious chapels here-one in Scot
street, erected in 1764, and rebuilt in 1828; one in South street, built in
1828; and the other in Talbot street, built in 1851, at the cost of £1600,
on land given by the Duke of Norfolk. The Association Methodists have a
neat chapel in Surrey street, built in 1831; and a smaller one in Stanley
street. The Primitive Methodists have a large chapel in Coalpit lane, built
in 1825 and '6. The Wesleyan Reformers, who have recently left the old
connexion, are very numerous, and have several temporary places of worship
in the town. The Latter Day Saints have meeting rooms in the town,
and the Jews have their Synagogue in Figtree lane.
The CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC CHURCH, in Victoria street, is a neat structure
in the Early English style, erected in 1850-51. The interior has a pleasing
and solemn appearance, and is 90 feet long and 40 broad. It is fitted
up with open benches (all free) for about 400 bearers, and the windows are
enriched with stained glass. It is divided into a nave and aisles by two
rows of slender stone pillars, from which spring the timber arches which
support the roof. Over the entrance door is a stained glass window of
good proportions, and on either side are two small towers, one of which
is crowned by a spire. The Rev. Matthew Parker is the "angel, or bishop."
Thomas Holden is the priest, and Henry Nowill and Joel Fairest are the
deacons.
The GENERAL CEMETERY, in the south-western suburbs of the town
about a mile from the Market-place, is on the picturesque acclivity of
Sharrow Vale, and was opened in 1836 by a company of shareholders who had
then expended upon it about £13,000. It then comprised about six acres,
but, since 1848, it has been enlarged by the addition of about eight acres,
which have been consecrated for the use of members of the Established
Church, or others. The new portion cost about £12,000, and in the higher
part of it is a handsome church, in the decorated style of early English
architecture, with a lofty tower and spire. The chapel, in the old portion of the
Cemetery, is an elegant Grecian structure, and it and the church, standing
near the crown of the acclivity, form conspicuous objects in the beautiful
vale of the Porter, on the opposite side of which are the Botanical Gardens.
and many handsome villas, &c. The first stone of the church was laid by
the late Dr. Sutton, May 8th, 1848, and the church part of the ground was
consecrated by the Archbishop, June 27th, 1850, There are two principal
entrances to the Cemetery ; one from the Ecclesall road, through the lodge
gateway; and the other from the New Cemetery Road, which has lately
been opened from the Bridge in South street, and extends to Sharrow head.
The cemetery now comprises upwards of fourteen acres of land, rising
boldly from the river Porter, and tastefully laid out and planted. It has
cost about £25,000, raised in £25 shares, In the unconsecrated portion
are extensive ranges of catacombs and vaults, and many handsome monuments
and tombs. The walls of the church and the chapel afford space for
the erection of monumental tablets, &c. The charges for burials have
recently been greatly reduced, as will be seen in an advertisement at
subsequent page. The Rev. George Sandford, M.A., is chaplain for the consecrated,
and the Rev. Mark Docker for the unconsecrated portion. Mr.
M. T. Bedford is the secretary, and occupies the Cemetery House, which
stands on the brow of the acclivity, commanding delightful views. John
Turner is the sexton, and resides at the Lodge. Mr. Saml. Worth was
architect of the buildings in the old, and Mr. Flockton of those in the
consecrated portion of this extensive and beautiful cemetery.
Data transcribed from:
Whites Directory of Sheffield 1852
Transcribed by
Colin Hinson ©2003
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