To view more photos of the glasswork click on the above photo.
Factsheet no 8
Is
progress really as slow as it looks?
This is a question that I have been asked regularly over the last month. The answer is not really and, whilst the work is about six weeks behind the original programme, Farnrise hope that we may be back in the church in time for Christmas. However, dates have yet to be confirmed by the contractors and the PCC.
The delay
in the project so far has been due to a number of justifiable, although
unforeseen, circumstances: the extensive archaeology work both inside and
outside the church, the discovery of Henry Usborne’s tomb and what has now been
identified as an old heating tunnel
Henry
Alfred Usborne, the son of John Usborne, a former rector of St Margaret’s, was
baptised on the 9th December 1837 the day his mother Emily died. Henry himself
died on 13th April 1839 aged just over a year. His tomb was discovered during
the excavation for the baptistery.
A new
tomb has been built very near to the original position, adjacent to the walls
of the baptistery, and, as soon as the church is safe, the rector will conduct
a short service of reburial. In the meantime Henry’s coffin is being kept in
the church and elsewhere, as has been reported erroneously
The
Usborne embroidered kneeler, which was in the care of a member of the church,
has now been given back so that it could be passed to the Usborne family for
safekeeping for which we and the family are grateful.
More
information about the Usborne family is available at www.usbornefamilytree.com
The
production of the art glass is now almost completed at the studio in
Mel’s
finished work is fantastic and during a visit to the studio last week I was
able to take photographs which can be seen on the websites or on the board in
the church hall. Mel’s interpretation of her original designs onto glass has
broken boundaries of manufacturing processes and I am confident that her work
for St Margaret’s will be admired far and wide as well as in our village.
To view more photos of the glasswork CLICK HERE
The
pictures of the glass show it in a specially designed ‘viewing window’ with the
glass held in position within wooden frames.
Work
inside the church is progressing slowly, the baptistery is under construction
and preparation is well advanced for installing the under floor heating before
the laying of the wooden floor.
The skill
of the stonemasons has been much admired and the roof structure to the two
extensions will soon be taking shape.
I have
received various comments about the knapping in the flint work. A sample panel
was prepared, before work began, and this was approved by the architect, the
planners and also the Angmering Society; the sample panel forms the standard to
which stonemasons are working all the time. It will be noticed that there is
quite a difference in the extent of the knapping in various parts of the church
and therefore the architect has tried to strike a balance between the new
extensions and the existing church building.
Too much
knapping could also deter from the appearance of the art glass which is of
course the main feature of the new east end of the church.
We are
pleased to welcome Paul Hassel back after two weeks’ well-earned holiday and
thank Peter who stepped into Paul’s shoes during this time.
Please
can I remind all visitors to the church the importance of observing any
barriers and signs put in place by the contractors. Barriers are there for our
safety and areas within them are strictly out of bounds at all times. This is
for reasons of both safety and insurance.
If you have any questions regarding the reordering please would you direct these to me either by email (richard.hance@btconnect.com) or by phone 01903 788792 on weekdays.
Firm foundations!
Donning
a hard hat in place of his mitre the Bishop of Horsham laid the foundation
stone of St. Margaret’s church extension to their building.
On
Friday 25th April 2008, the rector Canon Mark Standen welcomed
several members of the church together with the contractors, the architect and
others involved with the project saying this was a significant time in the life
of St Margaret’s Church. A special visitor was our patron, Mr Fitzroy Somerset,
who was accompanied by his wife, Marigold.
The bishop spoke directly to the builders with an apposite text from Psalm 127 – ‘Except the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain’. Naturally the bishop recognises the skill of the architect and builders but his message was really an exhortation to St. Margaret’s to concentrate on welcoming newcomers and building up the ‘body of Christ’ on earth which is the church.
The
ceremony was a mixture of fun, encouragement and serious Christian commitment
and will long be remembered by those who were there.
It
is the prayer of all concerned that the re-ordered building, when complete,
will be a beacon of light and hope in the village and the surrounding area and
that many will come to know and trust the Lord Jesus Christ.
Richard Hance (Churchwarden) Photographs by Ray Whitehouse.
Sussex Gospel Partnership
Our Church is along with others in Sussex developing a partnership of Bible-centered churches working together to train leaders, and strengthen and plant churches, and advance the gospel.
There is a need throughout our churches for training. Sometimes this is training in general, maturing discipleship and sometimes it is training for specific service: work with children or young people, house group leadership, music, ministry to the elderley, and many other areas. The Partnership aims to address this need in two different ways:
* by organising training events for the county as a whole.
* by promoting short training courses in local areas.
To read more about the Sussex Gospel Partnership CLICK HERE to visit their website.
What will the inside of St Margaret’s look like when we move back to the church later this year?
The first thing that will be noticed is the new entrance through what has been till now the Gratwicke Chapel. Once inside, the whole layout will be very different: the pews will have gone and in their place will be comfortable blue upholstered stackable chairs in both the nave and the chancel. This will increase the seating capacity of the church and will provide flexibility
for the different forms of worship. We also hope that it will allow us to use the church building for other village events.
The architect’s plan gives a birds’ eye view of how the church will look most of the time and you will notice that a central feature of the building is the baptistery in the centre of the nave.
The existing stone carved font that has been used for many years is being moved to a new position on the south wall together with examples of the Victorian pews. In addition to retaining these items of furniture the lectern and reading desk will be moved to the west end next to the churchwardens’ pew.
It will also be noticed that the choir stalls, the pulpit and the two screens have been taken out of the church - these have been given to other churches.
With new under floor heating and an up-to-date sound and vision system we hope that visitors will find a warm welcome in St Margaret’s and that wherever they sit they will be able to see and to hear all that is going on.
In all the planning our aim has been for us to have a church fit for the 21st century, for future generations and for the glory of God.