This is a very early photo – probably about 1890. It is before the restoration done by Rev Watkins during his time as Rector between 1890-1906. The picture shows the back of the church where the Octagon is now. You can see how dilapidated the building had become – it was on the edge of collapse. Amazingly, Watkins spent £20,000 of his own money to restore the church – a fortune in those days. The south wall of the Chancel was rebuilt from the foundations up with each stone being numbered and replaced in the original position. It is thanks to him that we have the church as it is today.
January 2021
