Mee doesn't cover Milton on Stour, which is unsurprising as this is more of a hamlet than village, so this is going to be a very brief entry. SS Simon & Jude was locked, no keyholder, but this was the last church of the day and as it was 6pm I wasn't expecting to find it open. Built in 1865 it's rather dreary and having been to Mass here some time ago I know the interior is of little interest - not really worth stopping for.
ST SIMON AND ST JAMES. 1868 by Slater & Carpenter. A minor work of theirs. The W tower with its broach-spire is a little thin, though well detailed and with a good rectangular staircase projection ending below the tower top in a saddle-back roof. Interior with round piers carrying stylized capitals. Detached mid-shafts in the two-light aisle windows. Polygonal apse.
Their entry on achurchnearyou reads:
A Parliamentary Commission of 1650 states there was "a chapel now
decayed and not used a mile distant from Gillingham fit to be made a
parish church for Milton and Preston." However, it was not until the mid
nineteenth century that the Rev. Henry Deane, the longstanding Vicar of
Gillingham, having redesigned and restored Gillingham Church was able
to turn his attention to the lack of facilities in Milton. In 1865 he
persuaded Mr Thomas Matthews of Milton Lodge to donate some land and a
considerable sum of money in order to build the present church - which
only officially attained the status of a separate parish from Gillingham
in the early years of the twenty first century!
The Church is built of local Tisbury Stone in the style of the mid 13th
Century. The total building cost was in excess of £2 500, over half of
which was provided by the Matthews family, the remainder by public
subscription.
As the visitor enters the church there are two main impressions to be
gained - that of the loftiness of the building and also of the
preponderance of stained glass windows. In fact all the windows with the
exception of those in the organ vestry are of stained and painted
glass. This gives subdued light on dull days but is well compensated for
on sunny days when a myriad of colours dapple the church and
congregation. The windows around the aisles depict saints and apostles
in designs appropriate to the style of the building. Those in the apse
show, in the centre, a scene of the crucifixion, on the right the Last
Supper, and on the left Christ blessing the little children.
Other windows depict various biblical scenes and many are dedicated to
various benefactors. Worthy of note is a window in the north west
corner. The memorial is rather inaccessible and difficult to read. It is
dedicated as follows:-
"To the Glory of God and in memory of John Phillips Esq., Late of Charnage Mere Wilts who entered rest 19th Dec 1881. Amongst other charitable bequests he left to the vicar and churchwardens of Milton in trust to be invested in consols £200 for the general purposes and benefit of the Sunday School attached to this church, and £300 for the purchase of blankets to be distributed amongst the poor inhabitants on St. Thomas' Day in each year."
The seats in the centre of the nave were supplied by Messrs. Slater and
Carpenter of London, the carving, which on each is of a different
design, was done by Mr Whitehead of London. The whole of the remainder
of the building was completed by local craftsmen - Mr E. Churchill did
the roofing, Mr A. Meade of Gillingham the general masonry and Mr C.
Lydford provided the seats at the rear of the nave and the doors. The
ironwork was crafted by the local blacksmith at Milton Forge.
Most ancient churches have been added to or altered during the years,
and in this respect Milton although comparatively young is no exception.
A quote from the Parish Magazine for 1887 is as follows:-
"The old pulpit was a very poor and ill designed one unworthy of the beautiful church and also falling into disrepair. In its place has been erected a very costly and handsome one after designs by the well known architect Mr. A. Blomfield, and much resembles that of the same architect at St. Georges Cannes the memorial church of the late Duke of Albany. The sides are formed by a series of small arches the pillars of which are of green Irish marble and contrast with the deep red panels of Perthshire stone."
Other additions and replacements include:
-
1891 - the organ replacing one given by the Rev. Henry Deane, 1892 - the
spire was added to the tower, 1908 - the church clock was installed in
the tower, Victorian wall murals were unfortunately painted over during
the first half of the twentieth century, 1887 and 1955 - the churchyard
was dedicated and extended, 1988 - the lych gate was built in memory of
Mrs. Ina Matthews.
I have outlined here some of the main features and characteristics of
our church. It is by no means a comprehensive inventory of all fixtures
and fittings. I will leave opportunity for the visitor to explore and
discover whatever captures the attention.
by Sam Woodcock, Churchwarden 2002
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