An account of a confirmation service held at Thorpe church -
From
the Derby Mercury, 17 November 1869
This quiet little parish was the scene of unusual excitement on Thursday last, on account of the celebration of the Annual Dedication Festival and Harvest thanksgiving, and also the holding of the long-deferred confirmation for the parishes of Thorpe, Tissington, and Bentley, by the Right Rev. Bishop Hobhouse.
It is much to be regretted that the Parish Church is an edifice so inconvenient
and unbecoming a character for its sacred uses. This was never more evident
than on the present occasion, when, in spite of the most careful arrangements
on the part of the energetic rector, the Rev. J. W. Kewley, it was scarcely
possible to accommodate the clergy and choir; and the confirmation could only
be performed under difficulties. However, everything that could be done, was
done, and soon after 11 a.m. a procession of more than 20 clergy and choristers,
in surplices, walked from the rectory to the church, singing the processional
him, "Onward Christian Soldiers." In addition to the Bishop and Rector, there
were the Rev. J. R. Errington, vicar of Ashbourne and rural dean; Rev. J. Barnes,
vicar of Tissington; Rev. G. R. Mackarness, vicar of Ilam, Rev. C. W. Richards,
rector of Bradley; and the Revs. G. Granville, W. F. King, and A. T. Eaton,
curates of Ashbourne. The service was fully choral, and Mr Wain, of Tissington,
efficiently presided at the harmonium. The confirmation service was most impressively
performed by Bishop Hobhouse. About 50 candidates received the holy rite, among
whom was Miss Fitzherbert, daughter of Sir William Fitzherbert, Bart., of Tissington.
After
the confirmation the Holy Communion was administered, the bishop being the celebrant.
The offertory and other thank offerings during the day, which amounted to 4l.
10s. 6d., were devoted to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign
Parts. After service Mr. Kewley hospitably entertained at luncheon the bishop
and clergy, Sir W. Fitzherbert, and other friends. At three p.m., a procession
was again formed at the rectory, which went to the church, as in the morning,
singing the hymn, "Rejoice ye pure in heart." There was full choral Evensong,
the rector and the Rev. W. A. Woodward intoning the prayers, and the lessons
being read by the Revs. G. R. Mackarness, and J. R. Errington., Bishop Hobhouse
preached a very touching and appropriate sermon from Deut. xxvi. 1-6. The church
was again well filled with the parishioners and their friends.
After
service, and before the shades of evening had quite descended on the peaceful
village, the people gathered on the village green to witness the planting of
a tree -- a Wellingtonia pine -- by Sir W. Fitzherbert, in commemoration of
his having become Lord of the Manor of Thorpe by recent purchase. Sir William
then addressed the people in a few appropriate words,
thanked them for their cordial reception of him, and alluded to the solemn religious
services which had that day been held in the church, exhorting the young persons,
who had just made their public profession as Christian Church-people, to continue
steadfast, and expressing the hope that they would be cheered on by the good
example of their elder brethren. The bishop
and rector also made short addresses, the former devoutly wishing that the tree
just planted might in its growth, its strength, and its extent, be an emblem
of the prosperity and happiness of the Fitzherbert family, and of the benefits
which Thorpe may hereafter derive from their connection with it, and the latter
in a few spirited words bidding Sir William a hearty welcome
to his newly acquired position as squire of the parish; after which Mr F. Greensmith
proposed three cheers for Sir W. Fitzherbert, and one cheer more for Miss Fitzherbert,
which were heartily responded to by the surrounding spectators.
The moon shone out brightly as the visitors departed, but the festive proceedings
of the day were not yet over. At the Dovedale Hotel, at present untenanted,
preparations had been made by Mr Greensmith in a most liberal and substantial
style for a social tea drinking among the parishioners, and from five to seven
p.m. the tables were fully occupied by successive seekers after the refreshment
afforded by tea, with an abundant accompaniment of ham and beef. After tea the
room was speedily filled, and several glees and songs were sung by members of
the choir and other villagers. During the evening the health of Sir W. Fitzherbert
and family was proposed by Mr T. W. Greensmith, and most cordially responded
to by the
whole assembly; and a little variety was given to the entertainment in a reading
by the rector, of a Peak district reminiscence, called " Teoo varry oud Freinds."
Songs, etc, followed in rapid succession, contributed almost entirely by the
native talents of the village. Mr F. Greensmith, who ably presided, then proposed
in complimentary terms the health of the Rev. J. W.
Kewley and family; and Mr Kewley having duly acknowledged the very gratifying
expression of good feeling, which not only then but during the whole period
of his connection with the Parish he and his had always experienced from his
parishioners, proposed the health of Mr F. Greensmith, to whose energetic efforts
they were indebted for the successful festivities
of the occasion.
At the request of the Chairman, the rector made a few remarks in bringing the meeting to a close, in which he expressed the hope that they who had that evening been so cheerfully enjoying themselves together would not in the social ever lose sight of the religious aspect of this annual celebration. The National Anthem was then sung, and the company separated with mutual congratulations on having spent a day not soon to be forgotten.