heritage - extension - vault - page 1 - page 2 - page 3 - page 4 - page 5 - page 6 - page 7 - page 8
| As you enter the church under the tower you will find yourself beneath
the gallery built in 1794 in which was placed the new organ then acquired.
Over the door will be found plaques recording the following works: 1824-'This church was repaired and beautified' 1864/5 -'Interior restored. Chancel decorated (in those days the Apse was called the chancel) the lead on the roof recast and relaid, the Cupola repaired and the organ cleaned and improved by public subscription' |
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On the West wall, on either side of the West door, is inscribed the Ten Commandments in two large
oak frames. See also the striking representation of the Royal Arms of King George III. Click here for details of the memorials (Courtesy of Dorset Online Parish Clerks). |
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Prior to 1793 there was no organ in the church, such music as was required being
supplied by a barrel organ, often referred to in the Churchwardens' accounts as
'the engine', or by local musicians. The organ in the West gallery was said to
have been intended for the Chapel Royal, Savoy, but proved too large. The Crown
and Prince of Wales' feathers carved and placed above the towers of the organ
are consistent with the original intention. The minutes of the Blandford Vestry,
by the following entries, disprove all past assertions that this organ had been
given to Blandford by King George III: 1793 - Resolved that an organ be erected in the church of the Parish and that a fund for defraying the expense thereof be raised by a voluntary contribution. 1794 - Agreed that a contract be entered into with G. F. England of Stephens Street, Tottenham Court Road, organ builder - the price 300 guineas with a neat wainscote case, gilt pipes and ornaments not to exceed the sum of 120 gns. |  | |