Description:Workmen are pictured putting the finishing touches to the new vestry and organ chamber during restoration work at St. Chad’s Church in Stafford. Please contact us if you recognise anyone in the photograph.
The first stage of the restoration work began in 1953 on the north aisle and tower and this second stage commenced in 1954 on the south transept. The work required the demolition of the choir vestry, and digging new foundations for a new one. The Vicar, the Rev. Mr G A Wroe told the Newsletter that the brickwork of the existing choir vestry had deteriorated so badly and was out of keeping with the rest of the church, that it would be rebuilt from stone.
The Bishop of Lichfield, Dr A S Reeve and local clergy attended the service of dedication of the new vestry and organ chamber and re-dedication of the restored tower and north aisle, at St. Chad’s, on Friday 11 March 1955. The Clergy present were the Rev. Schottelvig of Castle Church, the Rev. L W Warrington of Salt, the Rev. H H Fox, Rural Dean, Bradley, the Rev. G A Wroe of St. Chad’s, the Rev. N Gledhill of St. Thomas’ and Prebendary G Keyworth, retired, formerly of Croxden, near Uttoxeter. In the congregation were the Mayor and Mayoress of Stafford, Councillor and Mrs C Jones, the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury and Mrs L Lucette, daughter of a former Vicar of St. Chad’s.
The necessity for this restoration work was blamed partly on the poor quality of earlier restoration work carried out in the 1880s. Speaking of the recent restoration work which had been done at St. Chad’s, the Bishop congratulated parishioners on their efforts. In this country he said, we were fortunate in our ancient parish churches, there were some gems, and St. Chad’s, Stafford was one of them. He had no doubt that the people of Stafford were proud, both of St. Mary’s and of the little Norman church of St. Chad’s. He added that our old churches today, however, were causing some anxiety structurally. In the last century, restoration work was done at St. Chad’s, but, unfortunately, the modern methods of restoration of old buildings were not known then and mistakes were made which led to further trouble. The result was that the people of this small parish had to face a heavy burden. He thought they had done splendidly, and was grateful to those who, in one way or another, had raised money for the restoration of St. Chad’s.
Reproduced by kind permission of the Staffordshire Newsletter who retain copyright.