Parish Magazine ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS, MAIDSTONE
INSIDE
Fr Neil’s joy as the church doors reopen
David Cleggett tells the inside story of ‘twin’ east windows
Eleanor on the Vicar our church never had
AUGUST 2020 50p
St Michael and All Angels’ is an Anglican parish, affiliated through Forward in Faith to the Society of St Wilfrid and St Hilda. It is under the episcopal care of the Bishop of
Richborough in the diocese of Canterbury.
family in a 17th-floor flat and haven’t been out for two months. months. two for out been haven’t and flat 17th-floor a in family
s a a s a live don’t you if judgment in sit to easy it’s but protection; own
absolute rules led some to ignore existing measures designed for designed measures existing ignore to some led rules absolute our our
lockdown, which is admirable. As restrictions eased, the lack of of lack the eased, restrictions As admirable. is which lockdown,
daily lives necessitated by the pandemic. We quickly adapted quickly We pandemic. the by necessitated lives daily to the the to
We all wonder when we’ll see a termination of the restrictions restrictions the of termination a see we’ll when wonder all We on our our on
“Is there no end in sight?” sight?” in end no there “Is
Dear Friends Friends Dear
August 2020 2020 August
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: Pen and ink drawing by Catherine Garland Garland Catherine by drawing ink and Pen : picture Cover
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Wedding inquiries Fr Neil Bryson SSC tel. 01622 721123 01622 tel. SSC Bryson Neil Fr inquiries Wedding
Hall bookings Mrs Heidi Elvers tel. 07825 741003 741003 07825 tel. Elvers Heidi Mrs bookings Hall
Churchwarden Mrs Jessica O’Sullivan tel. 01622 727970 727970 01622 tel. O’Sullivan Jessica Mrs Churchwarden
Reader Dr Eleanor Relle tel. 01622 679551 679551 01622 tel. Relle Eleanor Dr Reader
Reader Mrs Elizabeth Bryson tel. 01622 721123 721123 01622 tel. Bryson Elizabeth Mrs Reader
Fr Neil Bryson SSC tel. 01622 721123 721123 01622 tel. SSC Bryson Neil Fr
Parish Priest (Associate Vicar): Vicar): (Associate Priest Parish
Kent ME16 8JS 8JS ME16 Kent
MAIDSTONE MAIDSTONE
Tonbridge Road Road Tonbridge
St Michael and All Angels’ Church Church Angels’ All and Michael St You will frequently hear in our prayers of intercession a request for the prayers of Jesus’ Mother, Comforter of the Afflicted, which are so needed during this emergency; we bear in mind not only those who have contracted the virus, but all those affected by it in a great many ways, directly and indirectly.
We also pray for the Government, who are under great pressure to manage the crisis: an unenviable task for which no MP had any experience; again, it is easy to criticise them, which shows our own lack of charity and understanding.
It was with great joy that we opened the church to the congregation last month, who were at last able to receive Our Lord’s risen body in Holy Communion. There are all sorts of rules and regulations that everyone has to observe, but there seemed to be few problems in compliance. We are continuing to stream the services so that people who are unable to leave their homes can join in. The numbers of those doing so remotely is unknown, but we are recording the number of devices used to view each service, either live over the Internet or afterwards on YouTube. For those who haven’t tried it yet, it’s easily accessed by clicking on the hyperlink on the home page of our website.
At present, again because of the crisis, it is not possible to have cover from other clergy when I’m away on leave. You will very easily find the hyperlink for Sunday Mass from the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham as it is in the same place on our website as for Sunday Mass. Additionally, you can attend the Shrine’s Youth Pilgrimage at home from Monday 3rd to Friday 7th August: details are here https:// www.walsinghamanglican.org.uk/the-shrine-2/the-youth-pilgrimage- 2/
Just think: no travel, no camping, no cost – a great way to experience this prodigious event!
Christ’s resurrection life. life. resurrection Christ’s
norpil,bd, olad prt ad hr w hl sae fore share shall we there and spirit, and soul body, incorruptible, ver ver
hita hp i te ae f oiy et: e hl b raise be shall we death: bodily of face the in hope Christian d d
You can read about this in I Thessalonians 4:15-18. This is the the is This 4:15-18. Thessalonians I in this about read can You
resurrection bodies. bodies. resurrection
raised from physical death; all of us will have transformed, transformed, have will us of all death; physical from raised
will be caught up with him; those Christians who have died will will died have who Christians those him; with up caught be will be be
Church’s future will be: when Jesus returns in glory, those of us a us of those glory, in returns Jesus when be: will future Church’s live live
Our Lady’s Assumption is, in fact, an amazing model of what the the what of model amazing an fact, in is, Assumption Lady’s Our
glory in Returning
) ) Bible Living The
Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor.” (Hebrews 12:1-2, 12:1-2, (Hebrews instructor.” and leader our Jesus, on eyes your Keep
let us run with patience the particular race that God has set set has God that race particular the patience with run us let before us. us. before
sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and and up; us trip and feet our around tightly so themselves wrap that sins
anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those those especially and back, us holds or down us slows that anything
fpol o fih acig s rm h gadtns lt s stri us let grandstands, the from us watching faith of people of p off off p
courage from the saints’ support: “Since we have such a huge crow huge a such have we “Since support: saints’ the from courage d d
ie ae og – s hy r fr o ay t rsn – e ca we – present at many so for are they as – tough are times n take take n
heaven; they in turn “suffer” when we do by interceding for us. When us. for interceding by do we when “suffer” turn in they heaven;
Here on earth, we rejoice with the saints – those who have made it it made have who those – saints the with rejoice we earth, on Here to to
NKJV). NKJV).
honoured, all the members rejoice with it” (I Corinthians 12:26, 12:26, Corinthians (I it” with rejoice members the all honoured,
member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one m one if or it; with suffer members the all suffers, member ember is is ember
are all part of the one Body of Christ and, as St Paul teaches, teaches, Paul St as and, Christ of Body one the of part all are “If one one “If
resurrection body. With all the saints in glory, she prays for for prays she glory, in saints the all With body. resurrection us, for we we for us,
taken up into heaven, her body transformed into an indestructible indestructible an into transformed body her heaven, into up taken
by her own power. Instead, like Moses, Elijah and Enoch, she was was she Enoch, and Elijah Moses, like Instead, power. own her by
heaven. As a creature she could not, like her Son, ascend into heaven heaven into ascend Son, her like not, could she creature a As heaven.
This month sees the top feast of Our Lady: her assumption into into assumption her Lady: Our of feast top the sees month This The stories of the saints are, of necessity, accounts of their lives on earth. They are real people who, over 2,000 years, have experienced everything we have. Why not turn to the back of this magazine and look at the August calendar; then pick a saint listed there and look up his or her details? God can do heroic works of virtue in you, too: ask Him!
New saints added
New saints are being added all the time, for the Church never loses a member by physical death. Did you know that a young computer “geek” is on his way to sainthood? You can find out about Carlo Acutis here: https://aleteia.org/2016/12/03/computer-geek-takes-one-more-step- toward-sainthood/
He was born in London in 1991 and died in Lombardy in 2006. In his short life he made a huge impact by his holiness lived in everyday life. He continues to make a difference by his Christian witness.
Here’s one astute quotation to spark your interest: “We are all born as originals; many die as photocopies.” To return briefly to my opening sentence, Carlo certainly believed there was an end in sight: “Do not be afraid because with the Incarnation of Jesus, death becomes life, and there’s no need to escape: in eternal life, something extraordinary awaits us.”
That end is a new beginning where each day is better than the last and goes on getting better and newer forever, guaranteed by our Saviour Jesus Christ to all who yield Him their allegiance.
Fr Neil D. Bryson SSC Associate Vicar
Daphne
meeting for members. Details nearer the time. time. the nearer Details members. for meeting
On Thursday, September 10th at 2pm we will hold an informal informal an hold will we 2pm at 10th September Thursday, On
Winchester Cathedral. Cathedral. Winchester
Mary Sumner and her husband George are buried in the graveyard at at graveyard the in buried are George husband her and Sumner Mary
Amen Amen
Or the life I live live I life the Or
The prayer I breathe, breathe, I prayer The
Whether through the word I speak, speak, I word the through Whether
quicken, spirit thy by thou do touch, I life every And
thee; for possible as lives many as touch me Let
All this day, O Lord O day, this All
Below is the Mary Sumner Prayer. Please use on August 9th August on use Please Prayer. Sumner Mary the is Below
lighted candle. lighted
Can I suggest members place, at home, a small vase of flower of vase small a home, at place, members suggest I Can s by a a by s
restrictions we are unable to do this. do to unable are we restrictions
MU Banner to celebrate this special day, but owing to Covid-19 Covid-19 to owing but day, special this celebrate to Banner MU
Normally members prepare a flower arrangement in Church by by Church in arrangement flower a prepare members Normally the the
memory. memory.
was the founder member of Mothers’ Union and the day is kept in her her in kept is day the and Union Mothers’ of member founder the was
Sunday, August 9th is Mary Sumner Day. Mary, who died in 1921, 1921, in died who Mary, Day. Sumner Mary is 9th August Sunday,
St Michael & All Angels’ Church Church Angels’ All & Michael St
JESSICA O’SULLIVAN
At the end of this month our churchwarden, Jessica O’Sullivan, will be leaving us. She has been energetic and proactive in this post since she was elected to it in April, 2018. She has a keen eye for things needing to be done, rolls up her sleeves and gets on with them.
She has served on both Deanery and Diocesan Synods. Her late husband David served with her on the PCC, starting in 2017. Jessica has also been an effective Safeguarding Officer, and has been in charge of floral arrangements.
I have relied on her to be on duty at weddings and funerals, tasks she has carried out with diligence. The transparent figures of soldiers that sit in the pews were given to the church by Jessica for the centenary of the end of the First World War: simple but powerful witnesses to the sacrifices of that conflict.
Air Training Corps
Jessica has lived in this area for many years; in one of those curious examples of coincidence, she was an Air Training Corps Cadet in 40F (Maidstone) Squadron, of which I am the current Chaplain.
Sadly, her mother died recently, and, added to the loss of her husband last year, Jessica now wants a fresh start. She will be on holiday with friends in the USA throughout the autumn: she wants to travel and have new experiences. She is selling her house and will decide in due course where she would like to live.
I conclude by expressing my personal thanks for all Jessica’s hard work and commitment to St Michael & All Angels’. We wish her every happiness for the future. Fr Neil
urgent thinking about world development after World War Two. Two. War World after development world about thinking urgent
fishermen worldwide, becoming a major contributor to the wave of of wave the to contributor major a becoming worldwide, fishermen
priest, worked to improve conditions of work and business for for business and work of conditions improve to worked priest,
active service at sea during World War One, and then, as a Dominica a as then, and One, War World during sea at service active n n
èe oi-oeh a br it a ihn fml i Bitn, s Brittany, in family fishing a into born was Louis-Joseph Père aw aw
Eleanor. writes (1897-1966), Lebret Louis-Joseph Pѐre
Assumption, I found a French prayer in praise of Mary, composed by composed Mary, of praise in prayer French a found I Assumption,
Looking online for a good prayer with which to mark the Feast of the of Feast the mark to which with prayer good a for online Looking
AN ASSUMPTIONTIDE PRAYER PRAYER ASSUMPTIONTIDE AN
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-Ed. -Ed.
https://vimeo.com/channels/youthpilgrimage Channel: Vimeo
https://bit.ly/3cPXl5e Channel: Youtube
take part via: via: part take https://www.walsinghamanglican.org.uk
Videos will be released daily and be available to watch again. Y again. watch to available be and daily released be will Videos ou can can ou
Creation. of Queen
Rosary. The inspiration behind this year’s Youth Pilgrimage is is Pilgrimage Youth year’s this behind inspiration The Rosary. Mary, Mary,
usa eeig hr wl b a ita Hl Ml Processi Mile Holy Virtual a be will there evening Tuesday on with with on
Philip North. Bible study sessions and music will feature and and feature will music and sessions study Bible North. Philip on on
Administrator Fr Kevin Smith and Master of the Guardians Bishop Bishop Guardians the of Master and Smith Kevin Fr Administrator
7pm on Monday with a Welcome and First Visit with Priest Priest with Visit First and Welcome a with Monday on 7pm
August 3rd to Friday, August 7th. The programme begins at at begins programme The 7th. August Friday, to 3rd August Monday,
These events include the the include events These 2020 Y outh Pilgrimage @ Home Home @ Pilgrimage outh Y 2020 from from
being made available online. online. available made being
worship and pray, Mass is being live-streamed and annual events ar events annual and live-streamed being is Mass pray, and worship e e
At the Shrine Church at Walsingham the clergy are continuing to to continuing are clergy the Walsingham at Church Shrine the At
2020 YOUTH PILGRIMAGE @ HOME HOME @ PILGRIMAGE YOUTH 2020 Finally, he acted as a consultant for the drafting of the 1967 papal encyclical Populorum Progressio, which appeared after his death.
Here, in my translation, is Père Louis-Joseph’s prayer, which I think has helped me to see more of the reality the Church expresses in its teaching about the Assumption of our Lady.
O Virgin Mary, Mother of God, you are the fulness of love, the pure offering that kept nothing aside for itself, you are the “Yes” that was never taken back, the total response to Love that is infinite. Because you recognised your total servanthood, God has given you the perfect freedom of Love. Because you were humility itself, God has filled you with His glory. Because you were faithfulness itself, God has perfected His likeness in you. Your death was a moment of inexpressible joy. Your charity, at one stroke, pierced the veil that yet separated you from the One Who had kindled your heart into such ardent flame; Your love blazed through into vision, face to face.
Père Louis-Joseph Lebret OP Translation: Eleanor Relle.
- Bishop Philip North North Philip Bishop -
can undermine that truth’ truth’ that undermine can
hope and love will always triumph over fear and darkness. Nothing Nothing darkness. and fear over triumph always will love and hope
suffer from this virus. He who rose again in glory guarantees that that guarantees glory in again rose who He virus. this from suffer
He who bore pain on the cross bears also the pain of all who will will who all of pain the also bears cross the on pain bore who He ‘
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chat, but of course present times are not “normal”. “normal”. not are times present course of but chat,
Normally we would have coffee and cake afterwards and relax wi relax and afterwards cake and coffee have would we Normally th a a th
hardly keep up with collecting the bits and piling them up tidily. tidily. up them piling and bits the collecting with up keep hardly
hedge trimmers and this worked so well that the other three could could three other the that well so worked this and trimmers hedge
Codling persevered. Martyn and Mike Codling used petrol-driven petrol-driven used Codling Mike and Martyn persevered. Codling
Despite a bit of rain, Martyn, Tim, Mike and Mary Trout and Mike Mike and Trout Mary and Mike Tim, Martyn, rain, of bit a Despite
The “before” and “after” photographs taken by Tim show this clearly. clearly. this show Tim by taken photographs “after” and “before” The
summer. summer.
a big job; it is a big hedge and has a habit of growing a lot lot a growing of habit a has and hedge big a is it job; big a during the the during
The GWP met on Saturday, July 25th to cut the hedge. This is always always is This hedge. the cut to 25th July Saturday, on met GWP The
The hedge before... before... hedge The
NEWS FROM THE GARDEN WORKING PARTY WORKING GARDEN THE FROM NEWS
...and after
Apart from scheduled sessions, some of our GWP members do much needed work in the churchyard at other times; Martyn regularly cuts the grass (there is a lot of that!) and Tim fills the garden waste bins, picks up litter and tends to the flower bed.
Thanks to all their efforts the churchyard looks well cared for. Martyn in the thick of it Doreen
be. to not was it But Tractarians. the by
This would have created a mysterious gloom in the manner so beloved beloved so manner the in gloom mysterious a created have would This
light east window seen today, there would have been three lancets. lancets. three been have would there today, seen window east light
more pleasingly than they are presently; but instead of the g the of instead but presently; are they than pleasingly more reat five- reat
emphasised its height. The nave windows would have been arranged arranged been have would windows nave The height. its emphasised
necessitated the nave being much narrower which would have have would which narrower much being nave the necessitated
Having in mind the site, aisles with pitched roofs would have have would roofs pitched with aisles site, the mind in Having
would have had a far more Tractarian appearance than it does. does. it than appearance Tractarian more far a had have would
members of the building committee on July 9th, 1874, the church church the 1874, 9th, July on committee building the of members
with Mr Arthur (later Sir Arthur) Blomfield’s plans presente plans Blomfield’s Arthur) Sir (later Arthur Mr with d to the the to d
Had St Michael and All Angels’, Maidstone been built in accordance in built been Maidstone Angels’, All and Michael St Had
challenge of a Bayne design. Two such windows are discussed here. here. discussed are windows such Two design. Bayne a of challenge
ihs qaiy bt n cain h fr’ hc atss oe o the to rose artists hack firm’s the occasion on but quality, highest
the productions of Heaton, Butler and Bayne were not always of the the of always not were Bayne and Butler Heaton, of productions the
As Fr Bernard Wigan was wont to remark in his inimitable manner inimitable his in remark to wont was Wigan Bernard Fr As , ,
two islands and to the farthest lands of the Empire. Empire. the of lands farthest the to and islands two
glass windows found their way into churches in every corner of our our of corner every in churches into way their found windows glass
Covent Garden, now the Heaton, Butler and Bayne restaurant, stained- restaurant, Bayne and Butler Heaton, the now Garden, Covent
eind o Catn n Bl. rm hi sui i Foa Street Floral in studio their From Bell. and Clayton for designed , ,
-1915) as a full partner and sole designer. Bayne had previously previously had Bayne designer. sole and partner full a as -1915)
Heaton and Butler were joined in 1862 by Robert Turnill Bayne (1837 Bayne Turnill Robert by 1862 in joined were Butler and Heaton
1859-61 they worked alongside Clayton and Bell. Bell. and Clayton alongside worked they 1859-61
1852 and was joined by James Butler (1830-1913) in 1855. From From 1855. in (1830-1913) Butler James by joined was and 1852
Clement Heaton (1824-82) founded his own stained-glass firm in in firm stained-glass own his founded (1824-82) Heaton Clement
two very fine east windows many miles apart. apart. miles many windows east fine very two
Angels’, Maidstone, uncovers the story of a connection between between connection a of story the uncovers Maidstone, Angels’,
David Cleggett, who wrote the guide book to St Michael and All All and Michael St to book guide the wrote who Cleggett, David
TWO EAST WINDOWS WINDOWS EAST TWO
“...the Son of Man shall come in His Glory and all His holy Angels with Him...”
The window at Maidstone (left)...
...and the window at Beetham, Cumbria (right)
Lack of funds caused the church to be built much more cheaply than Sir Arthur envisaged; he rather lost interest in the project and submitted his plan for Christ Church, Epsom. This renders the nave far too broad for Tractarian taste but did give the benefit of the large five-light east window.
similarity of composition and arrangement. arrangement. and composition of similarity
but a comparison of the windows in each church reveals the close close the reveals church each in windows the of comparison a but
As the window is smaller there are some differences betwee differences some are there smaller is window the As n the two two the n
thereto and is of five lights. lights. five of is and thereto
s oe ta ta a Misoe te at idw s n proport in is window east the Maidstone, at that than lower is ion ion
Romanesque work survives in the nave arcades. Although the chancel chancel the Although arcades. nave the in survives work Romanesque
changed at The Conquest. Conquest. The at changed
thought that the church was dedicated to St Lioba, a dedication dedication a Lioba, St to dedicated was church the that thought
back, in the lower tower, to the Saxon period. At that time, it is is it time, that At period. Saxon the to tower, lower the in back,
St Michael and All Angels’, Beetham is an ancient foundation datin foundation ancient an is Beetham Angels’, All and Michael St g g
period Saxon The
Westmoreland - now Cumbria - between 1844-81. 1844-81. between - Cumbria now - Westmoreland
the life and ministry of the Revd William Hutton, Vicar of Bee of Vicar Hutton, William Revd the of ministry and life the tham, tham,
firm was commissioned to install a memorial window commemorating commemorating window memorial a install to commissioned was firm
Robert Bayne returned to the subject in the following year w year following the in subject the to returned Bayne Robert hen the the hen
window was both finely conceived and executed. executed. and conceived finely both was window
Both designer and artist rose to the occasion and one may say that that say may one and occasion the to rose artist and designer Both the the
possible because of the less expensive building adopted. adopted. building expensive less the of because possible
ae fl avnae f h eteey ag wno. hs a only was This window. large extremely the of advantage full takes
trumpeters announcing the Last Judgement, is a splendid creation and and creation splendid a is Judgement, Last the announcing trumpeters
The whole composition of Christ in Majesty, with the angel angel the with Majesty, in Christ of composition whole The
of St Michael’s, as a memorial to his parents and an infant son. son. infant an and parents his to memorial a as Michael’s, St of
gift of Mr Frederick Scudamore of Manor House, a leading benefac leading a House, Manor of Scudamore Frederick Mr of gift tor tor
church in Maidstone, installed and unveiled at Whitsuntide 1881, the the 1881, Whitsuntide at unveiled and installed Maidstone, in church
R.T. Bayne’s first traced design for a Majestas is that c that is Majestas a for design traced first Bayne’s R.T. reated for the the for reated The Alpha and Omega at Beetham are at the extreme edge of the window above the main composition whereas at Maidstone the Alpha and Omega, to the same design, are at right and left of the elaborate throne on which Christ is enthroned in Majesty.
Robert Bayne was slightly self-indulgent. He would include his own portrait in some of his windows. He does not appear at Maidstone but he is one of the bearded kings in the Beetham commission.
In both windows St Michael with the flaming sword is central to the composition as are the angels with the trumpets of the Last Judgement. The heavenly host surrounding the Majestas is arranged in the same manner in both windows. There are more similarities than differences in the two commissions.
It is unfortunate that the archive of Heaton, Butler and Bayne was destroyed with all the firm’s records when it ceased to trade in 1953.
The original partners’ sons continued the business after their deaths. Had the archive survived it is not impossible that other examples of this splendid concept would be found in other locations all over the kingdom.
Keep your eyes open and be vigilant. ______
BLESSING OF THE FISHERIES
Despite lockdown, Fr Mark Haldon-Jones and Fr David Goodburn from St Peter’s Church, Folkestone were able to hold a brief service at the harbour in June to mark the Blessing for another year, commending all who earn their livelihood on the sea and remembering those who have sacrificed their life on the water.
might well have had good prospects. prospects. good had have well might
candidate for a Maidstone incumbency who had his indirect support support indirect his had who incumbency Maidstone a for candidate
Court at Teston but also of a substantial property in Lancas in property substantial a of also but Teston at Court hire, and a a and hire,
successful Conservative politician, was the owner not only of Barha of only not owner the was politician, Conservative successful m m
itself is doubtful; however, Roger Leigh, who went on to become a a become to on went who Leigh, Roger however, doubtful; is itself
weight Wellesley-Wesley’s recommendation would have carried in in carried have would recommendation Wellesley-Wesley’s weight
of Ellesmere, who owned the Hatchford Park estate. How much much How estate. Park Hatchford the owned who Ellesmere, of
Surrey – a post that made him, in effect, domestic chaplain to the to chaplain domestic effect, in him, made that post a – Surrey Earl Earl
Movement), and taking up an appointment as Vicar of Hatchford in in Hatchford of Vicar as appointment an up taking and Movement),
developing but conceived from the start as a product of the Oxford Oxford the of product a as start the from conceived but developing
the end of a curacy at Christ Church, St Leonards on Sea (a paris (a Sea on Leonards St Church, Christ at curacy a of end the h still still h
The Revd Louis Herbert Wellesley-Wesley was at that point r point that at was Wellesley-Wesley Herbert Louis Revd The eaching eaching
recommendation of Mr Chas. Chase for St Michael’s.” Michael’s.” St for Chase Chas. Mr of recommendation
“Heard from Mr Roger Leigh inclosing Mr Wellesley-Wesley’ Mr inclosing Leigh Roger Mr from “Heard s s
Mrs Scudamore records: records: Scudamore Mrs
should be its first incumbent – the diary is silent until, on August August on until, silent is diary the – incumbent first its be should 3rd, 3rd,
the church”, but on what must have been one major concern – who who – concern major one been have must what on but church”, the
anxiety as well as the satisfactions of taking successive vi successive taking of satisfactions the as well as anxiety sitors “to see see “to sitors
October 25th, 1876. As the building took shape there were periods of of periods were there shape took building the As 1876. 25th, October
– of the months that led up to the consecration of the church on on church the of consecration the to up led that months the of –
which gives glimpses – fascinating, entertaining, poignant, tantal poignant, entertaining, fascinating, – glimpses gives which ising ising
i wf Facs hwvr lf a ir, o i te et Archives Kent the in now diary, a left however, Frances, wife His , ,
research. research.
Kent. Despite his prominence, he is not today an easy person to to person easy an today not is he prominence, his Despite Kent.
House, prominent local solicitor and Undersheriff of the county of of county the of Undersheriff and solicitor local prominent House,
would never have been built was Frederick Scudamore of the Manor the of Scudamore Frederick was built been have never would
The benefactor without whom St Michael and All Angels’, Maidstone, Maidstone, Angels’, All and Michael St whom without benefactor The
A VICAR ST MICHAEL’S NEVER HAD HAD NEVER MICHAEL’S ST VICAR A Nevertheless, on August 10th, 1876 there was a “Meeting of Church trustees to see Mr Buckmaster”, and it was the Revd Edward Buckmaster who duly became the first Vicar of St Michael’s. So who was the unsuccessful candidate, why was he unsuccessful, and what became of him?
Born in 1844, Charles Rose Chase initially seemed destined for a military career. His father was a retired cavalry colonel, and he himself was educated at Wellington College and went on to Sandhurst. In 1861 he went to India with the 21st Hussars, but resigned his commission in 1868 and returned to England.
During his years of service in India a Roman missal had come into Chase’s possession, and this had become a source of personal inspiration to him. He felt called to take Holy Orders in the Church of England, and on his return, after a year at Oxford, he spent two years at Salisbury theological college, and was ordained deacon by the Bishop of Winchester in 1871.
There can be no doubt about the direction he intended his priestly ministry to take; in 1870, as an ordinand, he had already joined the Society of the Holy Cross (SSC), a congregation of Catholic-minded Anglican clergy, united under a common Rule, whose object, in the words of its founder Fr Charles Lowder, was “To defend and strengthen the spiritual life of the clergy, to defend the faith of the Church, and to carry on and aid Mission work both at home and abroad”. Chase served his first curacy at Holy Trinity, Winchester, built in 1853-4 to serve an expanding working-class population in the city, and with a strong Catholic ethos which it retains to the present day.
After an interval of ill-health, Chase proceeded in 1874 to a curacy at the Bristol church of All Saints’, Clifton, under its controversial first incumbent, Richard William Randall.
provocative act on their part. part. their on act provocative
turbulence might even have appeared to Archbishop Tait as a a as Tait Archbishop to appeared have even might turbulence
S pis wt Caes akrud t hs ie f ecclesi of time this at background Chase’s with priest SSC astical astical
would have the political skills to survive. In addition, to appoint an an appoint to addition, In survive. to skills political the have would
church in Canterbury diocese, the trustees might have wondered if he if wondered have might trustees the diocese, Canterbury in church
rue sm lcl nae ad s frttm icmet n ne a in incumbent first-time a as and unease, local some aroused w w
clergyman who could readily be labelled as a ritualist mig ritualist a as labelled be readily could who clergyman ht well have have well ht
respects, his face might have fitted. On the other hand, a new new a hand, other the On fitted. have might face his respects,
St Michael’s, there would have been much to think about. In some some In about. think to much been have would there Michael’s, St
committee of trustees, as a possible candidate for the incumbe the for candidate possible a as trustees, of committee ncy of of ncy
When Chase’s name reached the Scudamores, and presumably the the presumably and Scudamores, the reached name Chase’s When
turbulence Ecclesiastical
disbanded. disbanded.
Lords in 1877 and led to demands that the Society should be be should Society the that demands to led and 1877 in Lords
icltd nenly wih trce te teto o te Hous the of attention the attracted which internally, circulated e of of e
xie frhr y frr rltn t a adok o confessors for handbook a to relating furore a by further excited , ,
public suspicion by the mid-1870s, and this suspicion was to be be to was suspicion this and mid-1870s, the by suspicion public
local branches. The society had come to be regarded with increa with regarded be to come had society The branches. local sing sing
very few SSC clergy in Kent at this time, and that SSC had no K no had SSC that and time, this at Kent in clergy SSC few very entish entish
treasurer. It appears, perhaps significantly, that Fr Ridsda Fr that significantly, perhaps appears, It treasurer. le was one of of one was le
a Bristol branch of SSC had come into being, and Chase became i became Chase and being, into come had SSC of branch Bristol a ts ts
For a time it looked as if Randall too might be prosecuted. Meanwhi prosecuted. be might too Randall if as looked it time a For le le
bread and the mixed chalice at Holy Communion. Communion. Holy at chalice mixed the and bread
Archbishop Tait) over such matters as vestments, altar c altar vestments, as matters such over Tait) Archbishop andles, wafer wafer andles,
1875, against whom proceedings had previously been set in motion by by motion in set been previously had proceedings whom against 1875,
clergy (notably that of Fr Ridsdale SSC of St Peter’s, Folkes Peter’s, St of SSC Ridsdale Fr of that (notably clergy tone, in in tone,
Regulation Act (1874), which was swiftly followed by prosecutions o prosecutions by followed swiftly was which (1874), Act Regulation f f
arrival at All Saints’ coincided with the passing of the Pu the of passing the with coincided Saints’ All at arrival blic Worship Worship blic
unscriptural and disallowed by the Church of England” but Chase’s Chase’s but England” of Church the by disallowed and unscriptural
Randall had already been accused of “doctrine and ritual at once once at ritual and “doctrine of accused been already had Randall Furthermore, from what we see of her in her diary, Mrs Scudamore at least was level-headed as well as determined. One of her husband’s cousins was The Revd William Edward Scudamore - Tractarian scholar, author of many widely used devotional books, and founder, in 1855, of the All Hallows community of Sisters.
Spiritual roots
One suspects that her spiritual roots and those of her husband were in the earlier stages of the Oxford Movement rather than in the more explicit Anglo-Catholicism that developed from it.
She visited All Saints’, Margaret Street, on a trip to London; but she attended church services all over Maidstone, though preferring to see things done decently and in order, and to hear preaching faithful to the teaching of the Church of England:
“Sissie [her daughter, another Frances] and I to Mission Service/ Mr Boys at All Saints at 4. No canonical 3 hymns, 2 extempore prayers. Exposition on Union of Believers with Christ ignoring the Church’s means of Union.”
The Scudamores were evidently on friendly and mutually supportive terms with the Revd Henry Day French, Vicar of St Peter’s parish, out of which the new St Michael’s parish was to be formed.
That a new parish was desirable, for demographic reasons, was clear; that its worship should have a Tractarian flavour would have been desirable at least to the Scudamores; but it would have seemed equally desirable that it should sit comfortably alongside its neighbour, particularly as St Michael’s parishioners would continue to send their children to the existing St Peter’s school.
which I welcome. welcome. I which
ethnic. Therefore, in order to survive, we need to reflect that diver that reflect to need we survive, to order in Therefore, ethnic. sity, sity,
ey ies cmuiy mliclua, ut-ainl n multi- and multi-national multi-cultural, community; diverse very
to waste. We recognise that Clare Park is situated in the middl the in situated is Park Clare that recognise We waste. to e of a a of e
still in progress on that front. It would be a great pity if tha if pity great a be would It front. that on progress in still t was to go go to was t
effort and money into making improvements to the Green and work is is work and Green the to improvements making into money and effort
The Council has put in a lot of time, time, of lot a in put has Council The badly! members, new need We
have not always been replaced by new people. people. new by replaced been always not have
playing members have had to drop out for health or other reasons other or health for out drop to had have members playing , and and ,
because of lack of numbers. Every year, now, one or two of our our of two or one now, year, Every numbers. of lack of because
lb, e ol nt aebe al t fli mn o toe fixture those of many fulfil to able been have not would we clubs, s s
circumstances to cancel what was an attractive fixture list fixture attractive an was what cancel to circumstances with other other with
However, it has become clear that, had we not been forced by by forced been not we had that, clear become has it However,
4.30pm since the beginning of June. June. of beginning the since 4.30pm
Clare Park on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2pm to to 2pm from Saturdays and Thursdays Tuesdays, on Park Clare
for obvious reasons, roll-up sessions have been regularly attende regularly been have sessions roll-up reasons, obvious for d at at d
I am pleased to announce that, despite not being able to play mat play to able being not despite that, announce to pleased am I ches ches
GREETINGS FROM CLARE PARK BOWLS CLUB CLUB BOWLS PARK CLARE FROM GREETINGS
______
. Ed - Scudamore. Mrs
Eleanor in the July/August edition of New Directions entitled M entitled Directions New of edition July/August the in Eleanor eeting eeting
1870s, receives a wider audience with publication of an article by by article an of publication with audience wider a receives 1870s,
The life of Mrs Scudamore, illuminating the spiritual landscape landscape spiritual the illuminating Scudamore, Mrs of life The of the the of
Eleanor - To be continued continued be To - Eleanor
“To St Peter’s. Mr French. Psalms chanted.” chanted.” Psalms French. Mr Peter’s. St “To
Day 1876 she writes: writes: she 1876 Day
ee’ gnl i a ieto Ms cdmr apoe o; n Easter on of; approved Scudamore Mrs direction a in gently Peter’s
Since his appointment in 1874, French seems to have been taking St St taking been have to seems French 1874, in appointment his Since We also recognise that we need to be flexible; so if days and times above are not convenient for anyone who would otherwise be interested, please email me on [email protected] or call me on 01622 202482 or 07966 768 143 and we’ll try to arrange an alternative time and date.
Bowls is a social game played by people of all ages. I took it up eight years ago aged 65. The youngest person I have played against was nine years old. The oldest is 92. All the matches we play are “friendlies”.
Unfortunately, we have had to pull out of local leagues, but reinstatement can be sought should the need arise in the future. It would be nice to resurrect domestic competitions as well.
Like Cricket, Bowls is a game considered by many to be essentially and eccentrically English; but that is not the case! It may look incomprehensible to someone watching for the first time, but the format is really quite straightforward. Please do not be bashful about coming forward. Go on! Give it a go! John Sinfield 29 Lower Fant Road Chairman ______
SEPTEMBER MAGAZINE
Thank you for your continued support of the Parish Magazine and for contributions of articles and photographs. It can also be found online at www.stmichaelallangels.org.uk
Items, including dates for diaries, for inclusion in the September issue should be emailed to [email protected] by Tuesday, August 25th.
. CAPITALS BLOCK BOLD in are Obligation of Holydays N.B.
St Aidan, Bishop Bishop Aidan, St 31
tst
TRINITY 12 12 TRINITY 30
th
Beheading of St John the Baptist Baptist the John St of Beheading 29
hth
St Augustine, Bishop of Hippo and Teacher of the Faith, 430 430 Faith, the of Teacher and Hippo of Bishop Augustine, St 28
hth
St Monica, mother of St Augustine of Hippo, 387 387 Hippo, of Augustine St of mother Monica, St 27
hth
St Bartholomew, Apostle Apostle Bartholomew, St 24
th
TRINITY 11 11 TRINITY 23
rd
Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mary Virgin Blessed the of Queenship 22
nd
St Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, Teacher of the Faith, 1153 1153 Faith, the of Teacher Clairvaux, of Abbot Bernard, St 20
hth
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY MARY VIRGIN BLESSED THE OF ASSUMPTION 16
th
St Maximilian Kolbe, Friar, Martyr at Auschwitz, 1941 1941 Auschwitz, at Martyr Friar, Kolbe, Maximilian St 14
hth
St Clare of Assisi, Virgin, Founder of the Poor Clares, 1253 1253 Clares, Poor the of Founder Virgin, Assisi, of Clare St 11
hth
St Laurence, Deacon at Rome, Martyr, 258 258 Martyr, Rome, at Deacon Laurence, St 10
hth
TRINITY 9 9 TRINITY 9
th
St Dominic, Priest, Founder of the Order of Preachers, 1221 1221 Preachers, of Order the of Founder Priest, Dominic, St 8
hth
Transfiguration of the Lord Lord the of Transfiguration 6
th
St Oswald, King of Northumbria, Martyr, 642 642 Martyr, Northumbria, of King Oswald, St 5
hth
185 185
St John Mary Vianney ( Vianney Mary John St 4 ), Patron Saint of Parish Priests, Priests, Parish of Saint Patron ), d’Ars curé
hth
TRINITY 8 8 TRINITY 2
dnd
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Sung Mass and Sermon 10.30am Sundays Sundays 10.30am Sermon and Mass Sung
AUGUST 2020 2020 AUGUST
ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS’ ANGELS’ ALL AND MICHAEL ST