St. Paul's Church History
The original church was built during the years 1836/37 but has undergone many changes since then. Designed by William Railton (who also designed Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square) it was formed in a rectangular shape with seating for 412 people, with a tower at the West end, through which one entered the church, a gallery over the pews at the West end of the main building and a small chancel at the East end.
The present, much enlarged, chancel was added in 1871, and this included the first of the stained glass windows, the large East window. The North and South transepts were added in 1880, thus giving St. Paul's its cruciform shape. At the same time the West gallery was removed and a vestry was built on the South side of the tower. Sir William Henry Salt donated the money for the South transept and he also gave the organ. (Sir William was the eldest son and heir of Sir Titus Salt, the founder of the model town of Saltaire in Yorkshire). In addition to the other work done, stained glass windows replaced four of the original plain glass windows. The church was reopened on October 3rd, 1880, following the completion of the restoration.
Gradually, over the ensuing years, more alterations and additions have been made, including an organ chamber, extra seating and the strengthening of the tower to house the six bells commemorating the life and reign of Queen Victoria. These bells were cast and installed in 1904 by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd. of Loughborough - a firm which is still in existence today.
St. Paul's church is full of links with the past and with people and houses in and around the village as can be seen from the many plaques, memorial tablets and stained glass windows in the building. These links with the past, however, extend far beyond the boundaries of Woodhouse Eaves. One of the incumbents, the Rev.A.J.W. Hiley, who was Vicar here from 1898 until 1929, was the grandson of Dr. Thomas Arnold, the famous headmaster of Rugby School, immortalised in Tom Brown's Schooldays. Matthew Arnold, the poet, was the Rev. Hiley’s uncle.
Sir William Salt married Emma Harris in 1856 and her father was John Dove Harris, twice Mayor of Leicester and who later served as the Liberal Member of Parliament for the town. Sir William and Emma are buried in the churchyard, close to the South transept.
**************************************
For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro@gmail.com.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
*************************************