St. Mary's the Virgin, Shrewsbury

Stained glass in St. Mary's the Virgin, St. Mary's Street, Shrewsbury.  David Evans of the Shrewsbury glass firm Betton and Evans did most of the work on the widows in the vestry, which is now the cafe. John Bettor (1765 -1849) started making stained glass in 1806 and David Evans became his apprentice in 1815. After Betton's death Evans continued to work under the name of the firm, assisted by his two sons Charles and William.  Betton and Evans were commissioned in 1822 to restore the Tree of Jesse window in Winchester but they found it impossible and made a copy of the window retain the originals glass.

 

Christmas Trees

I thought it was an opportunity to look at Christmas trees today and I visited St. Chad's in Shrewsbury were I found a wonderful display of trees that were decorated and lit creatively making for a splendid Christmas atmosphere. There was a music practice for the carol concert of Nine Lessons and Carols by candlelight which will be held on Sunday 20 December. The mellow music notes were a delight as I wondered around the trees with my camera.

 


 

St. Chads church Shrewsbury

The round church St. Chad's always decked with festive trees at Christmas

A Georgian design but not in the traditional sense

The Old St. Chad’s church dedicated to St. Chad, the first Bishop of Mercia 7th Century collapsed in 1788 as predicted by Thomas Telford, the industrial engineer. It was rebuilt on a new site on the derelict town wall by the Scottish architect George Stueart, who also designed Attingham Park one of my favourite places to go in Shropshire. 

Stueart submitted various designs, and although the Parochial Church Council preferred a rectangular one, 'due to a misunderstanding’ he actually completed a circular plan that had been considered but rejected. Stones from old St Chad’s were used as foundations and the foundation stone was laid on St Chad’s Day, 2 March 1790. Classical Ionic, Doric and Corinthian architectural styles contrast with designs influenced by the industrial revolution.  A sweeping double staircase in the entrance and delicate banisters and slender pillars supporting a gallery resemble the type of design that maybe found in a country house in this period.

 Charles Darwin was baptized in this church 15 November 1809.

I took these picture with a Samyang 1.2 - 14mm lens and after using the Canon L series find ithe results disappointing. I am yet to find out if it is me or the lens!