On Saturday afternoon the deeply interesting ceremony of laying the nine foundation stones of the New Nave of Hexham Abbey Church took place. Unfortunately, heavy showers of rain fell during the proceedings, and although there was a large and representative gathering of clergy and laity, doubtless many would be prevented from being present by the inclemency of the weather. As our readers are aware, the nave is on the site of the ancient cathedral of St Wilfrid, and it has been possible to proceed with the work through the munificence of the late Mr Thomas Spencer. To meet the cost of furnishing the Nave, relighting and re-heating the church, and carrying out other necessary work, the Rector recently appealed for a fund of £10,000. Although only a short time has elapsed since the appeal was made, upwards of £1,300 had up to Saturday been promised.
The clergy robed in the Abbey Church, and with the choir, the layers of stones, the members of the Hexham Urban District Council, and others, proceeded in procession from the South Transept to the spot where the stones were laid in the following order:—
The Assistant Verger (Mr J W Robson).
The choir and organist (Mr R Seaton).
Clergy, including Revd C P Sherman, rector of St John Lee; Revd H H Barff, vicar of Wylam; Revd W W London, vicar of Wall; Revd G A Brown, diocesan chaplain; Revd T Stenhouse, vicar of Mickley; Revd Canon Jeffrey, vicar of Bywell St Peter's; Revd G F Kay, Wall; Revd Chas. H Gulliver, vicar of Lambley; Revd Thomas Neal, curate, Haltwhistle.
The Clerk and Verger (Mr W Dodd).
Children with caskets or ceremonial gifts — Master Basil Jackson, Miss Phyllis Straker, Miss Rosella Savage, Miss Freda Tully, Miss Mary Burn, Miss Lily Plummer, Miss Kathleen Saunders, Miss Bridget Eden, and Miss Peggy Bell.
Revd R D R Greene, senior curate of Hexham, and Marshal of Procession.
Dedicators of stones — Revd A P Barker, curate of Gosforth, and son of the late Rector of Hexham; Revd F W Johnson, vicar of Whorlton; Revd R O'D Ross-Lewin, Wark, rural dean of Bellingham Deanery; Revd Canon Lowe, Haltwhistle, rural dean of Hexham Deanery; Revd W D Heelas vicar of Benwell; Revd Canon Southwell, Newcastle; Revd Canon Moore Ede, Whitburn Rectory, Sunderland; Archdeacon of Northumberland (Canon Henderson), and Revd E Sidney Savage, rector of Hexham.
Churchwardens:— Mr T Ellis, Mr Wm Alexander, Mr W J Bickers-Stephenson, Mr J Sword, and Dr J A Jackson.
Mr Holloway (of Messrs Holloway Brothers, contractors, London); Mr Jones, manager for Messrs Holloway Bros.; Mr Temple Moore and Mr C C Hodges, architects.
The layers of the stones — Lord Armstrong, Mr J C Straker (High Sheriff of Northumberland), Mr C W C Henderson, Mr C W Powell (master of the Mercers' Company), Hon. Arthur Joicey, Mr Newton Ogle, and Mr J W Spencer (nephew of the donor of the Nave).
Nonconformist ministers, including the Revd Henry T Hooper, Revd J G Bowran, and the Revd J A Tait, BA.
Members of the Abbey Completion Committee, including Mr Patterson, Dr Harrison. Chairman (Councillor James Robb, JP), and members of the Hexham Urban District Council (Councillors Jos. Alexander, James Dodd), Mr G L Murray, surveyor, and their officials.
Members and Officials of Northumberland County Council, including Mr Bean, County Surveyor, Captain Fullerton James, chief constable; Supt Appleby, Deputy Chief Constable.
The following gentlemen acted as stewards — Messrs W Fisher, J J Paxton, Nightingale, J J Walker, C Smith, W Sewell, J Civil, Sword, T Dunlop, N Robson, and J Gibson.
Amongst the other ladies and gentlemen present were:— Mrs Savage, the Priory; Ald. Carrick, Haydon Bridge; Col. H F Swan, Prudhoe Hall; Major and Mrs Walton, Allendale; Mr Wm and the Misses Pruddah; Mr and Mrs G H Plummer; Mr H T Rutherford, Blyth; Mr and Mrs J J Maxwell; Mr and Mrs Benson, Newbrough Hall; Mrs and Misses Walton, Acomb High House; Mrs Ormond, Burswell House; Mr W W and the Misses Riddle; Mr W C, Mrs, and Miss Patterson; Miss Kirsopp; Mrs J O Head, Hackwood; Dr D and Miss Jackson, Netherton; Mrs J M Clark, Bellister Castle; Mrs George Hall, Wydon Burn; Mrs Wm Milne; Miss Bell, Orchard House; Misses Cruddas, Nether Warden; Mr and Mrs Tully, West Quarter; Misses Robinson, Hexham; Misses Gibson, Battle Hill; Mr W R Riddle, Burncroft; etc., etc.
Before the procession moved off, the Rector presented each of the children who were to present the ceremonial gifts to the layers of stones with a small gold cross bearing the inscription — “St Peter's Day, 1907”.
The service began with the singing of the hymn,
Christ is made the sure Foundation,
Christ the Head and Corner-Stone,
Chosen of the Lord, and precious,
Binding all the Church in one,
Holy Sion's help for ever,
And her confidence alone.
Prayers and the reading of the 122nd Psalm by the Rector followed. The first stone was laid by Mr Thomas Ellis on behalf of himself and co-churchwardens. The Rector dedicated it, and the gift, from Mr Temple Moore, architect, was presented by Master Basil Jackson. The order of the other stones was as follows:— The second stone, dedicated by Canon Lowe, MA, laid by Mr J C Straker; gift presented by Miss Rosella Savage, on behalf of Messrs Holloway Brothers, Limited, the contractors. The third stone, dedicated by Revd W D Heelas, MA, laid by Lord Armstrong; gift presented by Miss Phyllis Straker from herself. The fourth stone, dedicated by Revd Canon Southwell, laid by Mr C W C Henderson; gift presented by Miss Mary Burn from herself. The fifth stone, dedicated by Revd F W Johnson, BA, laid by the Hon. Arthur Joicey, on behalf of his father, Lord Joicey; gift presented by Miss Freda Tully from herself. The sixth stone, dedicated by Revd R O'D Ross-Lewin, MA, laid by Mr Newton Ogle; gift presented by Miss Kathleen Saunders from herself. The seventh stone, dedicated by Revd A P B Barker, MA, laid by Mr C W Powell; gift presented by Miss Lily Plummer from herself. The eighth stone, dedicated by Canon Moore-Ede, DD, laid by Mr J W Spencer; gift presented by Miss Bridget Eden from herself. The ninth stone, dedicated by Archdeacon Henderson, DD, laid by the Revd E Sidney Savage, MA, gift presented by Miss Peggy Bell from herself.
The ceremonial gift presented to each of the layers of stones consisted of an oaken casket with an appropriate inscription. As every stone was laid in position a short peal was rung on the bells.
Appropriate prayers by the Rector followed the laying of the stones.
At the conclusion of the service, a public tea was held in the Abbey Institute, which was largely attended. The following ladies gave and presided at the tea tables at the Institute:— Mrs Burn, Mrs Bickers-Stephenson, Mrs Rogerson, Mrs G H Bell, Mrs Richardson, Mrs Greene, Mrs R D R Greene, Mrs Savage, Mrs Jackson, Mrs Tully, Mrs Troldahl, Mrs Scott, Misses Richardson, Miss Bell, Miss Harrison, Mrs Hodges, Mrs Alexander, Mrs Patterson, Mrs Chatt, Mrs McComb, Mrs Ormond, Mrs Atkinson, Mrs Saunders, Mrs Ward, Mrs J A Jackson, Mrs Hands, Mrs Barras Reed, Mrs Gibson, Mrs Milne, and Miss Riddle.
The Rector read a list of subscriptions promised during the past fortnight, making a total of £1,327, which he thought was an encouraging start. (Applause.)
Lord Armstrong congratulated those present on the progress they had made that day, and referred to the early Church of St Wilfrid's. He said he felt that was an epoch making day, not only in the history of the Church at Hexham, but in the history of the Church of England. They had seen the restoration begun of a great Church built over twelve centuries ago. He felt that the same spirit which infused Wilfrid, and caused him to build a church so existent at the present day in Hexham, would see the work completed in the worthiest way possible. He hoped that before long they would have all the money they required, and that they would have the satisfaction of seeing the work finished, and the beautiful Abbey Church of Hexham restored in such a way as would rejoice the heart of Wilfrid if had been alive. (Applause.)
Mr C W Powell, master of the Mercers' Company (who are the alternative patrons of the living), Dr Jackson, Canon Low, and others also spoke.
Admission to Stone Laying: £15 12s 0d
Offertory at Stone Laying: £30 12s 8d
Addition to Stone Laying Offertory: £0 7s 6d
Tea given by the Ladies: £14 0s 0d