A Vestry for St Matthew's Church

By Angela Gooch on December 7th, 2008

Source: Skegness Standard 4^th December 1933

A much-needed addition has been made to St. Matthew’s Church, Skegness, in the shape of the new vestry depicted in our photograph.

For a considerable time past there has been an urgent need for a vestry, more particularly for the use and convenience of the choir, and the members of the latter are delighted with their new and -commodious quarters, where they can robe comfortably and have ample space far their books, music, cassocks and surplices.

By a happy coincidence the dedication of the new vestry on Sunday morning st coincided with the Harvest Festival at the Church, and there was a full congregation to hear the dedicatory prayers pronounced by the Rev. Canon A. Morris. The Rector dedicated the building to the honour and glory of God, the adornment of His Church and the comfort of those who sang his praises.

The Rector also prayed that God would pour out on the members ‘of the choir His heavenly blessing, that their lives as well as their songs might be devoted to His honour and glory.

Following the short and simple service the choristers walked in the vestry to the altar leading the procession singing of the harvest hymn, “Come, ye thankful People, come.”

A PLEASING ADDITION

The new vestry is situated at the west of St Matthew’s fronting the Roman Bank section of Scarbrough Avenue signed by Messrs. Wilfred and Laurence well-known church architects of Grantham, the building architectural addition to the sanctuary proper, apart from its utility. The cost of the vestry with furnishings is between £700 and £800.

The vestry is built of Weldon stone, with an English oak door on the south side.The windows comprise leaded panes with hopper lights, saddle bars and stanchions; the ceiling is of plaster blue with white mouldings and the flooring is Decolite. The building has an asphalt roof. In a niche on the west front is the figure of St. Matthew with a child, this being carved in stone to harmonise with the building.

A concrete path runs around the new vestry, this giving on to an oak gate and posts to match that on the north side of the Church.

The whole of the constructional work has been carried out by Messrs. J. Porter and Sons, builders and contractors Skegness, and the heating by Mr. A . Singer under a sub-contract with Messrs. Porter.

Inside the vestry is a curtained recess for the lady choristers, and rails and pegs for the use of the male members of the choir. As funds come in the Rev and church wardens hope to fit out the vestry with cupboards, and a table is also required.

There is already a small collection of photographs on the walls of the vestry, these including the Rev. F. Baldwin, and Rev. Disbrowe, two former Rectors of the parish, the late Mr. G. J. Croft (Churchwarden), Dr King, late Bishop of Lincoln. It is hoped to get photographs of Bishop Steere, Mr. W. P. Moody, the late Mr. Percy Rowe, and other noted Churchmen who have held office.

Photo below: St Matthew’s Church, Skegness before the Vestrey was added.