From Chicklade And Pertwood, A Short Parish History by E.R. Barty, M.A., Chicklade, Old Rectory, first published December 1955:
THE RESTORATION OF THE CHURCH
Reference to Mr. Ponting’s report on the church to the Rev. A.G. Homan in 1893 has already been made. He suggested practical means of improving the appearance of the church.
As regards the edifice erected in 1832, Mr. Ponting, F.S.A., states “It is difficult to conceive anything more devoid of “feeling” and of even the most elementary principles of art than the present building. It has, however, one redeeming point – it is very substantially and solidly built.’ This being the case Mr. Ponting recommended alterations to improve the interior and the windows and the result of the alterations he effected gave us the church as we see it today.
Mr. Ponting advised (1) the removal of the gallery; (2) the removal of the pulpit and the pews which had cast iron traceried panels; (3) the ceiling to be panelled with oak ribs; (4) instead of a chancel arch as existed in the ancient church the erection of an open oak screen; (5) instead of a pulpit, a desk; (6) an inner door at the west and an inside lobby; (7) the nave to be reseated with rows of chairs; (8) a reredos of oak at the east end, as a framework for the present painting.
The Windows. Mr. Ponting considered the church to be too amply lighted by three large windows of wide single lights in the south wall. “In each of these I propose to insert a mullion and some simple tracery and new lead light glazing. This will bring them into harmony with the proposed treatment of the interior and tend to soften the light.”
Mr. Ponting recommended that the north wall be left untouched. “The east wall requires consideration from other points of view, and in some respects it would be improved by the insertion of an east window, but, beyond the fact that it is built of large and excellent blocks of squared stone, we are fortunate in having here a painting in oil (carefully copied from the original) which is very far beyond the average standard of amateur work in artistic merit and which with a proper setting can be made to form a most suitable decoration for the east end.” The painting is a copy of a work by Perugino done by Miss Ella Jacob of Salisbury and presented by her in 1888. It is in three panels. As we have seen, Mr. Ponting proposed a reredos of oak as a framework for the painting.
Mr. Ponting concluded his report by stating that “these alterations would give the building a distinctly devotional and church-like effect, whilst at the same time it would be “more comfortable for worshippers.’ The estimated cost was £250.
Vestry Easter 1894. The Rector then mentioned the unexpected promises received on Easter Day and on that morning (Monday) towards beautifying the interior of the church. It was carried unanimously “That this Vestry receives with great pleasure and thankfulness the news that the Parish Church is to be made more decent and suitable for worship and this Vestry requests the Rector to convey to Mr. and Mrs. Morrison and to Mr. and Mrs. Halliday the expression of their earnest desire that’s God’s blessing may rest upon their generous gifts.’
Vestry Meeting (28th June, 1894) convened by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese to consider the plans and specifications of C.E. Ponting, Esq., F.S.A., for alterations in the Parish Church. Miss Godolphin Osborne, churchwarden, proposed “That this Vestry do approve of Mr. Ponting’s proposals – – – without expressing satisfaction as to the specifications for seating.’ This was carried unanimously. It was then proposed that the church be seated with open benches, the pattern of the bench being not yet decided on. This proposal was also carried unanimously.
Note – Miss Godolphin Osborne, of Down House, was sole churchwarden from 1894 to 1897.
A small matter of interest might be inserted here –
Vestry 26th March, 1894. The question arose of the desirability of purchasing a Parish map (O.S.). The Rector was authorised to consult with J. Halliday, Esq., and Mr. J.A.K. Reid and order one if thought desirable.
It seems that people were becoming not only road conscious but map conscious.
Chicklade Church, 1955.