On 15/11/2012 21:34, Muriel wrote: > HI Folks RE the special chair Most Anglican parishes have a bishops > chair which is used when he visits. Technically the bishop is > responsible for every parish in the Diocese. Also there are many fair > sized Anglican churches even in smaller places if they were older. > Remember big families in those days! For what its worth Muriel On 16/11/2012 03:36, Muriel wrote: > I have had another look at a zoom in shot and I think who ever > suggested a confirmation was likely correct. I was looking in the > chancel for the bishop but then spotted what could be him down to the > left with the the three in white surplices which makes sense ready to > take his place on the chair in front of the altar. The red colour of > clergy stoles and other hangings are often used to indicate the Holy > Spirit used for confirmation. However that does not identify the > church. I am pretty certain it is a parish church and not a > cathedral. Bedtime!!! Muriel Hello Muriel. I've posted your msgs to the list as I think you meant them to go there; hope that's ok. On 15/11/2012 13:42, johnfhhgen wrote: > Hi Lawrence, > Studying the photo carefully would suggest that this is an evening > confirmation service, perhaps mainly for a school.. A chair has been > placed before the altar for the actual confirmation, a white haired > figure flanked by two black cassocked figures [servers?] appears to be > wearing a cope and if this is a confirmation would be the bishop, at > the front left. Other clergy with red stoles are behind the altar. The > old high altar at the east end has been coverted into a weekday > chapel. At the extrem bottom of the photo can be seen the cruet &c > ready for the offertory procession. I suspect this photograph has been > taken at the beginning of the service, just after after the entry > procession. The lectern between the two candles is for reading the > epistle and gospel. It appears that a special service booklet has been > produced for the occasion (no hymn numbers on board). . > The choir is at the front right (red cassocks), conducted by a > gentleman in a suit. A mystery is the collection of red objects > (books?) on the altar, perhaps for presentation to the confirmation > candidates. > The re-ordering of the chancel with an additional nave altar and > abandonment of the high altar and communion rail would date from the > late '60s or 1970s, possible later. You've both come to the same conclusions regarding the Bishop and his chair, which must be correct. You both also independently pick up on other factors such as the point in the service when the photo was taken, so I think we now have that side of things firmly sorted out. Isn't it amazing just how much information can be gleaned from a single unidentified picture! Even if the church's identity remains unknown, all this knowledge is an amazing result and I'll certainly be preserving it for the museum. If only genealogy and history were always this successful in the finer details! I knew this list would be the place to ask, even though my question was one of history not genealogy - both disciplines benefit so much from a group of people such as yourselves who are each knowledgeable in other areas apart from the obvious, all of which adds to the rich tapestry of our common interests. Thjankyou both and others for the insights you've given; I fear I'm wearing this thread's welcome on the list a bit thin so won't post any more replies publicly, except for the name of the church if it comes my way. Best wishes to all, and a big hearty thankyou, Lawrence

Hello, There are two further sources of information which no one has mentioned yet: 1. The website "Church Plans On-Line" - http://www.churchplansonline.org/ - which (strangely enough) contains detailed architectural plans, drawings and pictures of churches. The information published comes from Lambeth Palace Library. 2. The London Gazette - http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ - according to the definitive books (compiled by Frederic A. Youngs) on the administrative history of England, quite often there are entries published in the London Gazette detailing changes to churches. It might also be worth trying the AIM25 online catalogue - http://www.aim25.ac.uk/ - (Archives in the M25 area) if you haven't already looked there. (For those list members who haven't heard of this site before, it's an index to the holdings of more than 100 archives and libraries in the area around London. It includes far more sources than ordinary Record Offices. Regards, Charles Fuller. On 17/11/2012 18:30, La Greenall wrote: > > I knew this list would be the place to ask, even though my question was > one of history not genealogy - both disciplines benefit so much from a > group of people such as yourselves who are each knowledgeable in other > areas apart from the obvious, all of which adds to the rich tapestry of > our common interests. > > Thank-you both and others for the insights you've given; I fear I'm > wearing this thread's welcome on the list a bit thin so won't post any > more replies publicly, except for the name of the church if it comes my way. > > Best wishes to all, and a big hearty thank-you, > Lawrence