St. Mary Magdalen Church and Parsonage
Consecration. The church of St. Mary Magdalen was consecrated on Tuesday, Sept. 10th, in the presence of a congregation of 900 persons, among whom were the Earl and Countess Waldegrave, Lady Elizabeth Waldegrave, Mrs. Gilbert (wife of the Bishop), Lady Ashburnham, Lady Watson, Lady Caroline Legge, Lady Marrable, Lady Elizabeth Finch, Mr. W. D. Lucas-Shadwell, Mr. Wastel Brisco, etc. Mr. Elford presided at the organ, and the singers were the united choirs of St. Clement’s and All Saints, all the members of which were then in good voice and practice. The Bishop of Chichester and his chaplain, (the Rev. H. B. W. Churton), were met at the door by the Rev. T. P. Sproule, accompanied by Archdeacon Hare, Earl Waldegrave, Wastel Brisco, Esq., Several members of the Building Committee, and over thirty clergymen. The consecration sentences were read by the Rev. H. W. Simpson (vicar of Bexhill), and the prayers were read by the Rev. W. W. Hume. His Lordship preached from the 8th verse of the 103rd Psalm, the sermon being of course preached after the usual form of consecration had been performed. The offertory amounted to £218 17s. 6d. After the service, Mr. Brisco entertained at Bohemia House, the Bishop and about 100 other persons at an elegant dejeuner. A second service took place in the evening, the prayers being read by the Rev. T. P. Sproule, and the sermon preached by Archdeacon Hare. Another collection was then made, which realised £28 12s.
Other Circumstances. — On the day after the consecration, the Bishop and a large number of clergy and gentry, were entertained at dinner by Earl Waldegrave and on the same day the workmen were provided with a dinner at the Royal Standard hotel. The architect was F. Marrable, Esq., and the contractors were Messrs. Piper and son, of London.
Farewell Sermons. — On the Sunday preceding the consecration, the Rev. T. P. Sproule who for three years had been the licensed officiating minister at St. Leonards Church, preached his farewell sermon, and the Rev. W. W. Hume, who was the licensed incumbent, preached his farewell sermon as curate of St. Clements, the same evening. The future labours of Mr. Sproule were to be at Scaldwell Rectory, Northamptonshire.
The Organ. — Previous to the consecration (Aug. 19th) Mr. Elford and some of his choir tried a temporary organ from Mr. Holditch, builder of the St. Clement’s and All Saints’ organs, preparatory to the erection of a more effective instrument, and chose the south aisle as the preferential position.
The Parsonage. — In the month of November, a committee was formed for the purpose of collecting funds to erect a suitable residence for the Incumbent. The committee consisted of Dr. Blakiston, E. H. Paget, Esq., Councillor R. Deudney, T. Hickes, Esq. (Mayor), Mr. Hempsted and Dr. Marks. A site for the proposed parsonage had been given by C. G. Eversfield, Esq., and £985, including £500 from Mr. Hume, the incumbent, had been obtained. Towards the amount still wanted, £50 each had been promised by Lady Waldegrave and the Rev. J. G. Foyster, and £20 each by Miss Sitwell and Mrs. Offley.
