Midland Churches: A History of the Congregations on - General ...

Field excited some comment by surmounting <strong>the</strong> front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> building with
a stone cross."
In 1863, <strong>the</strong> place was closed for some three months, for <strong>the</strong> purpose
<strong>of</strong> a chancel being added to it, and o<strong>the</strong>r improvements being effected ; <strong>the</strong>
immediate cause for which was <strong>the</strong> gift by R. Greaves, Esquire, <strong>of</strong> an
organ in a carved mal~ogany case. The chancel was divided from <strong>the</strong> old
part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> building by <strong>the</strong> communion rails, on ei<strong>the</strong>r side <strong>of</strong> which were
placed a reading desk and a carved octagon pulpit, in which were fixed
panels <strong>of</strong> dark green marble. In <strong>the</strong> centre <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> chancel is <strong>the</strong> carved
oak commuilioil table, and immediately in <strong>the</strong> rear is a fine screen, with
panels similar to those on <strong>the</strong> pulpit, which serves <strong>the</strong> double purpose <strong>of</strong>
screening <strong>the</strong> organist and <strong>of</strong> being an appropriate back to <strong>the</strong> communion
table. In <strong>the</strong> middle <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> screen <strong>the</strong>re is some fine circular carved work,
with an emblazoned cross, surmounted by o<strong>the</strong>r carved crosses. The
chancel is lighted by five windows, which throw a flood <strong>of</strong> subdued light
into that part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> building. The centre window is circular, in <strong>the</strong>
middle <strong>of</strong> it is a Maltese cross, with a vine background. The chandeliers,
by 'which <strong>the</strong> meeting-house used to be lighted were removed-as has
unfortunately been done in many o<strong>the</strong>r restorations-and ordinary gas fit-
tings substituted. The front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> building was renovated, and <strong>the</strong> two
frosted wind~ws with coloured borders, formerly at its back end, were
placed 'to front <strong>the</strong> street. The preacher at <strong>the</strong> reopening services, on 28
June, 1863, was John William Lake, <strong>the</strong>n minister to <strong>the</strong> society.
Concerning <strong>the</strong> first minister, Mat<strong>the</strong>w Henry says-
Mr. John \Vilson, <strong>of</strong> Warwick, my intimate and beloved friend, died <strong>of</strong> a
consumption, in April, 1695. He was <strong>the</strong> son <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> judicious and learned
author <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> treatise called, 'Nehushtan,' and ' Judicium Discretions,' &c. ;
nor was he inferior to his fa<strong>the</strong>r, ei<strong>the</strong>r in gifts or graces. His mind and
temper, like his person, were remarkably elegant and comely. He was
born at Chester, in 1662, educated in London by Mr. Thomas Row, and
lived some tinie afterwards at Broad Oak, with my fa<strong>the</strong>r, Mr. Philip
Henry. He was <strong>the</strong> first minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Presbyterian denomination in
Warwick, and his labours were singularly useful.
Wilscni notes him as-
a pious and valuable minister, who iaid <strong>the</strong> foundation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dissenting
interest at Warwick, and died in <strong>the</strong> prime <strong>of</strong> life.
**Die. A7nf. Biog., article on Wm. Field, by A.G. .iDissenti:~g <strong>Churches</strong>, iii,, p. 170.