The Christian Church in Georgian Britain (1714-1830) |
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The inside of this old Anglican (Church of England) building is Georgian. It tells us a lot about life in Georgian England. |
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The Squire's box pew Photograph by Mike Strange |
The Bampfylde Memorial Photograph by Mike Strange |
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The Squire owned the nearby manor house and big estate, and chose the parson. The Squires' family would sit in the big box pew at the front of the church. A box pew is like a big box without a lid. It has high sides and a door that closes. The Squire would expect the people who worked for him to come to church. They would sit in the box pews behind him. The Squire's family are buried in the crypt in the church. They have a grand memorial beside the altar. |
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The pulpit is high so that the Parson could see everyone as he preached the sermon. Below is a desk where a clerk sat. The clerk helped the Parson in leading the service and led the congregation in prayers. The services were written in a prayer book - this helped people follow the service and join in with the prayers. Readings from the Bible would follow a pattern for the year, and the sermon was usually about one of these. If it was a Holy Communion service the people would come to the front and kneel at the altar rail as the Parson and clerk gave them the bread and wine. This is Saint Mary's Church at Hardington Bampfylde, Somerset and the estate belonged to Bampfylde family for many centuries. |
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The high pulpit, with the clerk's desk beneath it Photograph by Mike Strange |
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