This is the text of the booklet published to mark Christ Church’s 50th anniversary in 1926. The original 40-page – near A5 – document had a line drawing on its cover, contained 4 whole-page photographs and, to help defray the costs of production, 10 pages of local advertisements. It was printed by Birch & Whittington, Station Road, Epsom, and sold for one shilling (5p).

Christ Church, Epsom. 1876-1926. A Short Record Written and compiled by A. P. MILLAR O.B.E. and a Foreword by LIONEL M. MYLREA, M.A., Vicar

FOREWORD.

IT has been felt that since 1926 is the Jubilee Year of our beautiful Church, some permanent record should be published, and we send out this little book in the hope that it may, in some part, meet this need. Perhaps it is hardly necessary to add that it does not claim to give an exhaustive history of the Church or Parish. This would be beyond our present possibilities—both financial and otherwise. On the other hand, this short Souvenir may serve a purpose in recording certain facts, which we feel will interest many whose lives and associations have been brought into close contact with “the Church on the Common.” It is also sent forth in the hope that it may find a ready sale among those interested, and so do its part in helping to meet the very urgent needs in the Parish of Christ Church today. On every copy sold we should make a substantial profit for our Funds. But this has only been made possible for the following reasons:— First of all, we owe a great debt of gratitude to Mr. A. P. Millar, O.B.E. (Hon. Secretary of the Christ Church Jubilee Executive Committee), for the many hours of careful and painstaking labour he has so willingly given in compiling this Record. We have also to thank Canon Hunter for the time and trouble he has taken in revising the manuscript, and contributing towards it. In addition to this our thanks are due to Mr. Graham for the excellence of the photographs of the Church, and to Mr. W. H. Birch for the drawing on the cover. Secondly, we are grateful to all who have given us advertisements, as these have helped us very materially in reducing the cost of production, and to Miss Corbould for so kindly collecting the advertisements. And last, but by no means least, we owe Messrs. Birch & Whittington, our Printers and Publishers, grateful recognition of their kindness and generosity, which has made it possible for this Record to be sold at a Shilling and yet to benefit the Funds of the Church so materially. The excellence of its production speaks eloquently of the interest and care they have taken in the work. We can only trust that after all the goodwill on the part of everyone concerned, those whom this Souvenir reaches, will do their utmost in extending its sale. LIONEL W. MYLREA, Vicar. Christ Church Vicarage, Epsom.

October, 1926. Christ Church, Epsom. 1876–1926. ______

EPSOM should be proud of Christ Church, one of the most beautiful Churches in the County of Surrey. A part from its great general beauty, there are two aspects of the interior which especially strike one—the lovely rood screen when the evening sun shines on its rich gold ornamentation, and the brightly illuminated chancel itself, with its glittering mosaics, as viewed from the west end of the Church. There are some churches where, as one enters, one is at first lost “mid the encircling gloom.” Not so in Christ Church, which is as bright and light and cheerful as the breezy common on the border of which it stands. The Church glories in the possession of many “storied windows richly dight;” but they cast no “dim religious light.” One cannot help thinking how appropriate to Christ Church are the succeeding lines in “Il Penseroso”:— “There let the pealing organ blow, To the full voiced quire below, In service high, and anthems clear, As may with sweetness, through mine ear, Dissolve me into ecstasies, And bring all heav’n before mine eyes.” To the religious as well as to the artistic sense the interior of Christ Church is entirely satisfying. Eighty-three years ago, that is to say in 1843, the old Christ Church, which was used as a Chapel of Ease to the Parish Church of St Martin’s, was erected, Mr. Seddon1 being the architect. It was described as “a rather pretty structure, intended for the convenience of the working classes of its vicinity, whose abodes have rapidly sprung up in the locality of the Common.” We are quoting from “A Handbook of Epsom,” by C. J. Swete, M.A., stated to have been sometime Curate of Epsom, and published about the year 1860. Mr. Swete goes on to say:— “It being felt that the increase of accommodation was necessary, the Vicar gained permission of the Bishop for such an erection, and having collected the requisite funds by contributions from his friends and richer parishioners, was happily enabled to obtain sufficient for the purpose. This Church is well filled by an attentive congregation in the morning and afternoon at three o’clock, and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is duly administered. “A small beginning has been obtained towards the endowment; the Vicar has to contribute the remainder of the maintenance of this ministry. It is much to be wished that this burden might be lightened by the completion of the fund as originally proposed. “The site was given by J. I. Briscoe, Esq., the Lord of the Manor. Towards the subscription of the building fund a sum of £300 was given by the Church Building and the Diocesan Church Building Societies, on condition of the Church being wholly free to the poor. Her Majesty Queen Adelaide, the , the Earl of Egmont·, Mrs. Pugh, the Vicar, Sir Gilbert Heathcote, H. Sperling, Esq., of Norbury Park, W. J. Denison, Esq., M.P., and John Trotter, Esq., M.P., the late members for Surrey, and others, contributed to the building or endowment funds.

1 2017 NOTE. The architect was, in fact, William McIntosh Brookes – as specified in C J Swete’s 1860 book (from which the 1926 author goes on to quote above) and verified by Brookes’ signature as “Architect, 6 John Adam Street” on the plans lodged with the Incorporated Church Building Society. Furthermore, there are great similarities between Brookes’ designs for the first Christ Church and the new St Peter & St Paul, Albury (Nr Guildford), which was completed in 1841. All the sittings are free and unappropriated, and the patronage is vested in the Incumbent of Epsom.” Later on, Mr. Swete mentions that it was understood that Mrs. Trotter offered to complete the endowment of Christ Church by “a munificent donation which was inconsiderately declined”—a sentiment with which we cordially agree. The old Church, it is of interest to note, stood on the site now occupied by the Scouts’ Headquarters. There is a picture of it in the vestry of the present Church, and by the courtesy of Mr. J. Hatchard-Smith, F.R.I.B.A, who is still living in Epsom and was honorary Clerk of the Works when the present Church was being built, we have been privileged to inspect his drawings of the north, south and west elevations and plan of the interior of the old Church. These drawings give an excellent idea of the building, which Mr. Hatchard-Smith describes as architecturally a little gem. He and others think it a pity that it was pulled down as, apart from its interest as a building, it might have been utilised as a Church Room or otherwise. The Parish of Christ Church was formed on the 10th July, 1874. The new Christ Church, of which we celebrate the Jubilee in October, was consecrated on St. Luke’s Day, the 18th October, 1876. Through the courtesy of the Editor of the Epsom “Advertiser and Observer” we are enabled to give extracts from the following interesting account of the consecration, taken from “The Sutton Advertiser and Mid Surrey Reporter” (as it was then called) of the 21st October, 1876:— “CONSECRATION OF CHRIST CHURCH.” “On Wednesday last (St. Luke’s Day) Christ Church was consecrated and dedicated to Divine Service by the Bishop of Winchester. The building consists of a sacrarium, nave, transept and north aisle. It is proposed to add a south aisle on some future occasion. The tower also is unfinished. The church from the west end has a very fine appearance. The inside work, although plain, is of noble architecture. The tracery of the windows in the east end and transept add much to the appearance of the interior. Early service was held in the old church, with celebration. At eleven o’clock the choristers, numbering nearly fifty voices, with a large gathering of the clergy of the district. formed a procession from the old church, accompanied by the and Canon Bridges, and proceeded to the new building. A processional hymn was then sung, after which the consecration service was proceeded with. The Litany was intoned by the Vicar, the Rev. E. G. Willies, and was sung by the choir to Tallis’ music, arranged by Barnby. During the Litany some consternation was caused through the leading treble boy (Churchill), from Eton College, falling down in a fainting fit, and immediately after no less than six other choir boys were either carried or conducted from the church in the same prostrate condition. It appears that the heating apparatus had been put in working order the day previously, and through some disarrangement the heat could not be kept from the church, and all the windows being closed the temperature was rendered very oppressive. Some of the congregation were also compelled to leave. When the windows had been opened and a current of air brought into the church the service continued. The “Te Deum” was well sung by the choir. . . . . The choral singing throughout the day was of a very hearty character. . . . . The choir was under the direction of Mr. Renwick, and was supplemented by the attendance of Mr. Burry, of Beddington, and some of his choir. “The altar cloth is of the most handsome design and very richly worked in delicate colours. The super altar is of light marble and very massive. On this was an altar cross of chaste design and vases filled with white flowers. The sacrarium is edged with stone and, centred with encaustic tiles, producing a charming effect. The altar rails and gaseliers are of brass, the choir stalls are of oak, and the remainder of the church is filled with stained deal sittings. The lectern, presented by Collyer Jones, Esq., is exceedingly handsome. “The Bishop preached in the morning to an overflowing congregation. At the celebration a great number of communicants were present. After the service came a luncheon, provided by W. Trotter, Esq., in his grounds, where in front of the mansion two large marquees were erected. The luncheon, which was of a most sumptuous character, was partaken of by 250 guests, including choir. Among the clergy present were the Bishop of the diocese, the of Guildford, the Revs. Canon Bridges, the Vicar, E. Wilberforce, G. Roberts, H. Trotter, –. Stapleton, Sir Geo. Glynn, Dr. West, H. Edge, W. Adamson, F. Grosvenor, J. Booker, E. Browne, –. Jones, W. Gibbons, W. Foxley Norris, etc., etc. W. Trotter, Esq., presided and was supported by the Bishops. The Earl and Countess of Egmont were also present. Mrs. and Miss Northey, Geo. Cubbitt, Esq., M.P., M. Clarke, Esq., late High Sheriff, Henry Willis, Esq., and family; J. Braithwaite, Esq., Mrs. Braithwaite and family; D. Wilkinson and Mrs. Wilkinson; G. Alder, Esq. (Churchwarden) and Mrs. Alder; Collyer Jones, Esq., Mrs. Jones and family; F. Murray, Esq., Mrs. Murray and family; the Misses Reid, and a large number of gentry and influential inhabitants of the district. After luncheon the usual loyal toasts were given and the healths of the Bishop, the Vicar and the Churchwardens were drunk and briefly responded to. “At the evening service at five o’clock there was a large congregation, when the Bishop attended and an eloquent sermon was preached by the Rev. E. Wilberforce. The new church will at present seat 450 people, and will cost £6,500, half of which was left by will of the late Mrs. Elizabeth Trotter, and the work has been continued by the family. The architect is Mr. Blomfield; the organ by Hill, of very good quality and workmanship, and was presented by the same generous family that has done so much to bring this good work to a satisfactory state. There are many helpers in the district and the Vicar in his speech specially mentioned the fact of the assistance he had received even from the most humble of the congregation.” Dr. Monk was the Organist at the Consecration Service. Several of those present at the Consecration are still living in Epsom, amongst them Mr. George Good, the well known Organist of the Church. Christ Church owes its existence greatly to the liberality of the Trotter family, who had lived at Horton Manor since the year 1777. In a General Statement of Account issued to the Parishioners, it is stated that the total cost of the Church, including the necessary expenses of heating, lighting, architect, etc., was £6,589. The cost of the Organ and other expenses paid by Mr. Trotter was £1,000. The total cost of the Vicarage House was £2,799. In 1879 the south aisle was added by the generosity of the Earl of Rosebery. And, as wil1 be seen, many other additions have been made by the Trotter family and others, until the Church has grown into the beautiful shrine that we now know. In 1886-7 the reredos and mural work round the east window were added, as the two inscriptions in the Church state:— “To the Glory of God. The Reredos in this Church was erected A.D. 1886, in memory of Mary Elizabeth Trotter, of Horton Manor. Born March 26th, 1812. Died February 15th, 1885.” “To the Glory of God. The mural decoration round the East window was completed A.D. 1887, in memory of William Trotter, of Horton Manor. Born October, 1800. Died March 26th, 1887.” The Parish Magazine of January, 1888, says:— “Worshippers in our Church on Christmas Day could not but have been struck with the very beautiful mosaic which now covers the whole of the E. wall of our Church. This had been put up during Advent and was seen in all its splendour in the bright sunshine of Christmas Day morning. The four Evangelists are represented on either side in the lower and broader portion of the wall, and as the wall grows narrower round the top of the E. window a very effective vine scroll is carried up till it meets over the centre of the window. We have heard nothing but unqualified praise bestowed upon the work, which is indeed no more than it deserves. It is a memorial of the late Mr. Wm. Trotter, erected by members of his family.” Regarding the East Window, the inscription on the wall by the organ records:— “To the Praise and Glory of God. “The East Window of the Chancel is offered in grateful remembrance of Elizabeth Trotter, who by the Grace of God was Founder of this Church and Parish. She was daughter of James Trotter, Esq., of Horton Manor, and died October 25th, A.D. 1868. “ ‘He turneth the wilderness into a standing water and dry ground into water springs.’ Psalm cvii., 35.” October, 1885, saw the commencement of an effort to complete the tower of the Church, and all kinds of ways by which this might be effected were suggested and many of them—including a two- days Bazaar in June, 1886, opened by Lady Egmont—were carried into practice. Including a donation of £50 by the Earl of Rosebery, the amount in hand is said to have reached about £790. This amount gradually increased, and early in 1887 it was decided to commission Sir Arthur Blomfield, the Architect of the Church, to complete the work as soon as the winter was over. A start was made at the end of June, 1887, and by October the Tower was completed. It was formally dedicated on Sunday, November 6th, at 10.30 a.m., a short Choral Service being held upon the roof. The total cost of the completion of the Tower—a familiar and picturesque landmark, visible from all parts of the Common—appears to have been £939, the whole of which sum was raised by the Church. About this time a “Bells Fund” came into existence, and two years later this had grown into a “Clock and Bells Fund,” although, apparently, only sufficient money was received for the latter purpose. By March, 1890, some £370 had been collected (afterwards increased to more than £500) and an order for eight Bells was given to Messrs. Mears & Stainbank, of Whitechapel, London. The following inscriptions were placed on the Bells, which weighed over 55 hundredweight:— On the Treble.—“Day by day we magnify Thee” 2nd.—“Let Christ be known around And loved where’er I sound” 3rd.—“There shall be upon the Bells Holiness to the Lord” 4th.—“Gloria in excelsis Deo” 5th.—“Soli Deo Gloria pax hominibus” 6th.—“Benedicite omni opera Domini Dominum” 7th.—“Deo Gratias” Tenor.—“Nunc Dimittis”. The Bells were consecrated in July 1890. “Church Bells” of the 8th August of that year, in a full account of the ceremony, quoted in the September 1890 Parish Magazine, records that:— . . . On Thursday, the last day of July. a large congregation assembled at Christ Church, Epsom. for the purpose of taking part in the service of consecration of the new ring of eight bells. The Vicar (the Rev. Archer G. Hunter) having commenced the service, the act of consecration was performed by the Suffragan of the Bishop of Winchester (Bishop Sumner, of Guildford). This took place at the altar, after which the Bishop gave a short and very appropriate address on the use of Church Bells. After his address, a short touch (a course of Grandshire Triples) was rung; and very impressive it was, the bells being acknowledged by all to be particularly sweet toned and musical.” After the service a peal of 5040 changes of Stedman Triples was successfully rung by members of the Surrey Association of Change-ringers, whose names are given. They were afterwards hospitably entertained by the Vicar. Rules for the Bellringers are published in the Parish Magazine for July, 1890. The Clock in the Tower was presented to the Church by the late Mr. Basil Braithwaite, then a parishioner. In 1900 the mural work in the chancel and sanctuary was added by Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Aston “in loving memory of our dear son, Norman Withall Aston, who died at Eton College, Good Friday A.D. 1900, aged 17.” The beautiful rood-screen, which is admired by all who enter the Church, was erected in 1909, from a design by Mr. C. H. Fellowes Prynne, and was dedicated by the Bishop of Guildford. The Parish Magazine for August, 1909, says:— “The screen is of wrought iron and bronze, with richly ornamented traceried panels. Immediately over the central gate rises a cross, twelve feet in height, carrying the figure of the Saviour, and supported on either side by the figures of the Blessed Virgin and St. John. There are also on either side of the cross angels carrying emblems of the Passion. The whole meaning of the rood, and a very beautiful one, is that only by passing under sufferings of the Cross can one reach the holy of holies. Beneath the cross, and in a large plaque, are the words, ‘By Thy Cross and Passion; good Lord deliver us,’ and running along the whole length of the screen are the following words from the Book of Revelation: ‘Alleluia! Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Alleluia!’ On one side of the screen is the following memorial tablet: ‘To the honour and glory of Almighty God, and in memory of William Sampson Trotter, late of Horton Manor, this screen is erected by his wife, son, and daughter.’ The work has been carried out by Messrs. Martyn, of Cheltenham.” In 1919, at a meeting called to consider the subject, it was unanimously resolved that a Corporate Memorial to those parishioners and members of the Congregation who had died for their Country in the Great War was desirable, and that if possible it should take the form of a Lady Chapel, to be constructed at the north side of the Church, behind the Choir Stalls. Subscriptions were invited, the Committee aiming to raise £1000. The 44th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Church was marked by the ceremony of unveiling and dedicating the War Memorial Chapel by the Bishop of Guildford on the eve of the Feast of St. Luke, after festal Evensong. The service is described as “not just impressive only, but absolutely thrilling and splendid.” An overflowing congregation was present, including the relatives of the fallen and a large number of ex-service men, who had marched up in procession headed by the Comrades’ Band. The Bishop preached a stirring sermon. The Roll of Honour forms a reredos to the altar in the Memorial Chapel. It includes the names of fifteen men who formerly sang in the Choir. To the right of the altar is a beautiful mural tablet to the memory of the Hon. Neil Primrose, younger son of the Earl of Rosebery, who was killed in action at the Hill of Gezer, Palestine, November 15th, 1917, and lies buried at Ramleh. “A worshipper here with his father, who has raised this tablet. . . . He was the light of our eyes and the joy of all who knew him. The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord.” The painting on the Organ and the two side panels, together with the corona, was presented to the Church by Canon and Mrs. Hunter and dedicated to the memory of their little boy, Leonard John, who died on the 20th February, 1891. The painting was the work of Mr. Collyer Jones, nephew of a former Archbishop of Cape Town, and brother of the late Miss Collyer Jones. The font bears the inscription “This font was presented to the Vicar and Churchwardens of Christ Church, Epsom, by Edward Richard Northey, in affectionate remembrance of his old friend, the late Miss Elizabeth Trotter, of Horton Place, October 18th, 1876.” The decoration over the chancel arch, representing our blessed Lord in an altitude of Invitation, was painted in memory of the first Vicar, the Rev. George E. Willes. Christ Church is rich in stained glass. In addition to the noble east and west windows and the other beautiful windows in the Chancel and Lady Chapel, all the windows in the north and south aisles are of stained glass. There are even two in the clerestory; the others there are the only plain windows in the Church. The windows in the south aisle, with scenes from” The Nativity” and 1st, 2nd and 3rd years of “The Ministry,” have been placed there in memory of Mary Bischoff, who died on the 22nd February, 1883; Charles Collier Jones, who died on the 30th April, 1882; and George Nunn, who died on the 2nd January, 1892. At the west end of the aisle is a window in memory of Francis Vernon Northey, Lieut. Colonel 60th Rifles, who died from a mortal wound received at the battle of Ginghilova, Zululand, on Palm Sunday, 6th April, 1879. Behind the font are four small windows in memory of Sampson, Henry, Mary Elizabeth and Eleanor Georgina, infant children of William and Mary Elizabeth Trotter. In the north aisle, the windows, with scenes from the “Holy Week,” are to the memory of George Brown, who died on the 11th April, 1876, and of Charles Bischoff, who died June 22nd, 1896. The middle windows were bequeathed by Anne Cottle, who died at Horton Manor, 25th January, 1884, “in grateful recognition of many blessings received during a long life.” Let in to the east end wall of the south aisle is an elaborate cruciform brass to the memory of Frederick Dymoke Murray, Captain and Brevet Major, 42nd Highlanders, Black Watch, Commanding 2nd Regiment Scottish Horse (with Colonel Benson’s Column), who fell making the last stand with the guns at the Battle of Bakenlaagte, South Africa, on October 30th, 1901, in the 30th year of his age. On the wall of the east end of the north aisle is a beautiful marble tablet to the memory of Mrs. Emmeline Willis, wife of the late Mr. Henry Willis, and a worshipper in the Church for 46 years, who died 20th September, 1921. In various parts of the Church are brass tablets in memory of Mr. Thomas Furniss, a choirman of the Church from its consecration, who died 1st December, 1908, in his 81st year; Eva Gracie and Anne Margery, children of Sir Thomas Bucknill, the Judge; John Hammett Collins, F.R.C.S., and his wife; Michael, youngest son of Sir William Williams, 1st Baronet, of Tregulow, “erected by his grateful servant R.H.W”; Llewellyn Lovell, Leading Seaman of H.M.S. “Vengeance,” drowned whilst in the execution of his duty on the 27th February, 1906, in his 22nd year; and of James Holt, “the faithful Verger of this Church from its consecration in 1876 till his death in 1897.” In the porch is a wooden tablet which records that “The Incorporated Society for Building, etc., Churches granted £200 A.D. 1875 towards building this Church upon condition that all the sittings are for the free use of parishioners, according to law.” The sittings now number 600. It may be stated here that Miss Trotter in her will left fifty sittings in the Church for the benefit of the Vicar; eight for Horton Manor and eight for Horton Lodge. In consequence of the above grant, however, the Churchwardens voted annually to the Vicar, out of the offertories, £65, to compensate him for what he would have received if the sittings had not been freed. This arrangement continued in force until Canon Hunter left, when it was agreed that the Vicar’s stipend should be voluntarily made up to a fixed sum per annum. The following is a list of the Vicars of Christ Church since its consecration in 1876:— Rev. George E. Willes ...... 1876—1881. Rev. Canon Archer G. Hunter ...... 1881—1911. Rev. Henry A. Bowles ...... 1912—1920. Rev. Neville G. J. Stiff ...... 1921—1923. (Died January, 1923.) Rev. Francis E. Y. Hooke ...... 1923—1925. Rev. Lionel W. Mylrea ...... 1926— The estimation in which the late Rev. George E. Willes, the first Vicar, was held is shown by the decoration over the chancel arch, dedicated to his memory. Canon Hunter, who succeeded him, filled the large space of thirty years in the history of Christ Church, and only recently left his retirement to help the Church during the period which elapsed between the resignation of Mr. Hooke and the institution and induction of the present Vicar. His contributions to these pages speak for themselves. With Mrs. Hunter, whose work in the parish is not forgotten, he is held in affectionate remembrance by the supporters of Christ Church. Canon Hunter will take part in the Jubilee celebrations, and so, also, it is hoped, will his successor, the Rev. Henry A. Bowles, who resigned the benefice for reasons of health only six years ago. The Rev. Neville Stiff was a man of striking personality, and his premature death, after only two years’ work, was deeply lamented. The Rev. Francis Hooke, who succeeded Mr. Stiff, resigned a year ago. Churchwardens. 1876 Mr. Trotter, Senr., and Mr. G. Alder. 1877—1882 Mr. Trotter and Mr. Henry Willis. 1883—1886 Mr. W. S. Trotter, Junr., and Mr. Henry Willis. 1887—1888 Mr A. W. Aston and Mr. Henry Willis. 1889—1893 Mr. Bischoff and Mr. Henry Willis. 1894—1911 Mr. Aston and Mr. Henry Willis. 1912—1915 Mr. Wootten, K.C., and Mr. Henry Willis. 1916—1918 Mr. C. P. Collyer Jones and Mr. Henry Willis. 1919 Mr S.G. Neal and Mr. H. M. Peacock. 1920—1921 Mr. H. W. Absalom and Mr. H. M. Peacock. 1922—1926 Mr. H. W. Absalom and Mr. T. E. Ware. Before the Easter Vestry of the year 1919, Mr. Henry Willis, who had been elected Churchwarden for no less than 42 consecutive years, and who has just passed away, made it known that he did not seek re-election. The Vicar, in thanking Mr. Willis in the name of the Church for his yeoman service, said that if the parishes throughout the length and breadth of the land were searched they would not find one who had been a more devoted and conscientious servant of the Church. Mr. Aston, who has recently left Epsom, served as Churchwarden for 20 years. Among those who have worshipped in Christ Church may be noted the late King Edward, when Prince of Wales, Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone, The Earl of Rosebery, his son, the late Hon. Neil Primrose, Lord Hugh Cecil, Sir Thomas Bucknill, and General Sir Edward Northey, K.C.M.G., whose mother is the President of the Jubilee celebrations.

SOME NOTES BY CANON HUNTER. ______

The year 1899 saw the beginning of great changes in the parish of Christ Church, Epsom. On June 8th of that year the Church Room on West Hill was opened by the Earl of Rosebery: the ground on which it stands was given by Mr. George Longman, of West Hill House. To him and his family Christ Church is greatly indebted, and by no means only for material gifts. The building was designed by Mr. Hatchard-Smith, and took the place of a most useful, but very inadequate, “Guild Room” in West Street. One day the writer of these notes was taking Lord Rosebery and his daughters, Lady Peggy and Lady Sybil, to see the Room, one of the oldest in Epsom, with a very uneven oak floor. He casually remarked to the young ladies, “This is not a very good floor for dancing!” when His Lordship turned to him and said, “My dear friend, my daughters know nothing about dancing!” Very shortly after the opening of the Church Room, a temporary Church was dedicated by Bishop Lyttelton, Suffragan Bishop of Southampton, on June 16th, in the presence of some 20 clergy and 370 people!— the Church was to hold 300! The heat caused by numbers, corrugated iron, and June was indescribable. The Church at such a season was naturally dedicated to St. Barnabas; the birth therefore of what, Laus Deo, has proved to be a very flourishing centre of Church life, took place in June, 1899. Then there were some 500 people in and about the Hook Road; now there are more than six times that number, and from the very beginning the object of the Vicar of Christ Church was to obtain the services of the best man he could find, and to give him, as far as possible, a free hand in the working of the new district. To the successive Clergy of St. Barnabas, backed up by a fine band of District Visitors and Sunday School Teachers, the Church there, under God, owes its healthy life. There is of course much to be told, but not space wherein to tell it. The following years saw the laying of the Corner Stone of the new Church and its consecration, and presently the formation of a new Ecclesiastical Parish by Order of the King in Council. Christ Church was happy in seeing her daughter at last embarked on a life of her own. No sooner, however, was she rid of this great responsibility than she herself began to grow abnormally; and now that the population is going up by leaps and bounds, one’s hope is that this new population will do all that is in its power to strengthen the hands of the new Vicar. May they do this at least by their earnest prayers, and looking for opportunities for forwarding the work of Christ Church. It may be of interest if I append the names of the Assistant Clergy so far as I know them. Assistant Curates at Christ Church. 1877 W. H. F. Edge. Now Vicar of Tilford. 1880 C. Stewart. Who died many years after. R.I.P. 1882 G. G. Lane Now Chaplain at Cannes. 1884 N. W. Hay. Died 1921. R.I.P. 1888 E. J. Hall. Afterwards Vicar of Langtree. 1892 H. Rickard. Now Prebendary of Chichester. 1898 E. E. Farrow. Afterwards Vicar of Thirlstone. 1902 F. L. Hutchieson. Now Vicar of Collingbourne, Kingston. At St. Barnabas. 1899 R. N. Curwen. Now Vicar of Camberley. 1905 A. A. Henley. Died 1909. R.I.P. 1907 B. N. O. Hancock. Now Rector of Bishopstoke. 1908 E. G. Ireland. Now Vicar of Aldershot. 1911 H. A. Bowles. Afterwards Vicar of Christ Church, Epsom. I should like to add just one word of heartfelt appreciation of the exceeding generousness of Christ Church people throughout its 50 years of life. This tradition will not, I think, be forgotten in this its year of Jubilee! A.G.H. (The Rev. A. Edward Fraser was for several years Vicar of St. Barnabas, and was succeeded about a year ago by the Rev. S. K. Anderson, the present Incumbent.)

GEORGE E. GOOD. AN APPRECIATION.

When I was asked to tell what I knew of Mr. Good and his life-long work as Choirmaster and Organist of Christ Church, I replied con amore, “I will!” But it is easier said than done, and I feel sure that very many of his friends, should they read this appreciation, will say “the half has not been told.” However, not unlikely someone will supplement these inadequate remarks. Our friend’s early training was at the famous Magdalen Choir School, Oxford, and it was there that he came under the guidance of Dr. Parratt, to whom he has often said he owes everything. It was Dr. Parratt who let him into the secret of voice production; and I do not think I shall be far wrong if I say that Mr. Good has so completely entered into the inner meaning of this secret, has so mastered it, that he has few if any superiors in this great art in the world of music. I have often heard Mr. Good say that everyone has a voice, though there are very few who know how to use it. It was seldom that he rejected a boy who came to have his voice tried for the Choir, though, of course, the boys were only supernumeraries for months before they were admitted (as they always were with a special service) as full members of the Choir. But Mr. Good’s almost unique power as a voice producer needs hardly to be insisted on; everyone who has ever been present at a Church Service at Christ Church knows it. Where do you get your boys from?—who is it that trains them so exquisitely?—are everyday questions. But this is not all, far, far from it! For the boys are singularly reverent withal, and this is quite as great a point with Mr. Good as the other: an irreverent Choir boy with him would be an anomaly! Further, his efforts with the boys are not confined to the Church and the practice room. He is always accessible to them. He is with them for a large proportion of their recreation hours, in the cricket field, in the Church Room, and on the Downs. Seldom will Mr. Good be found alone; almost always his boys are with him, and herein lies, to a great extent, the secret of his influence. He lives for them, as well as with them, and never spares himself, if only he can help them to be good citizens as well as to be worthy to help in lauding the praises of Almighty God. But we must stop, though much more might be said. What has been said is true and without exaggeration, and it would be quite safe to say that the time will come when the many who have passed through his hands during the last 50 years and more “will arise up, and call him blessed.” A.G.H.

On the subject of the stained glass windows and the decorations on the walls of the Church, Canon Hunter remarks:— “Messrs. Powell, of Whitefriars, were responsible, I think, for almost all the glass in the Church, two or three windows in the north aisle being the only exceptions. These were the work of Messrs. Heaton, Buller and Baynes. Messrs. Powell also designed and executed the reredos and panels on either side, as well as the mosaics round the E. window and over the Chancel Arch. The other mural decoration of the Cancel and transepts, as well as that of the roof, was the work of Mr. Bryans, of Regents Park.”

St. Michael’s.

Regarding S. Michael’s, Canon Hunter says:— “In telling of Christ Church, the little Mission Church of S. Michael must not be left out. It was dedicated in 1910, and took the place of another temporary building, which had been in use both for worship and meetings of various kinds for more than 30 years. “I do not think the influence that has centred round this little ‘House of Prayer’ can be measured by the size of the building or its accommodation. Whether in the hands of Mr. Neal, or of the late Mr. Daniell, or of Mr. South, the work has been greatly appreciated; and I must not forget Miss Bradnam’s long and indefatigable work in the musical part of the service. “The beautiful Altar Piece was the work of Miss Read, who has long since left Epsom.” For the last six or seven years, the services at S. Michael’s have been conducted by Mr. W. McIntyre, who has followed worthily in the footsteps of his predecessors and has won appreciation equal to theirs.