St Nicholas
Pyrford, Surrey
Pyrford's church retains the shape it had when first built in Norman times, apart from the addition of a bell turret and north porch in Tudor times, and a vestry in the 19th century.
Set in its own large churchyard, the church building offers several spaces, both liturgical and informal, with an excellent organ and seats upwards from 200. It is often used for concerts, community events, and youth work. The church is not in the middle of the village, as many older parishes are, but it can be seen on its hill from all directions and gives a visible focus to the spiritual and social life of the neighbourhood.
Christ Church Ottershaw was the gift of one man, Sir Thomas Edward Colebrooke (1813-1890) who came to live in Ottershaw in 1859. He provided sufficient land from his estate for a church, churchyard and vicarage, paid all the construction costs and endowed the church with £100 per year.
The church was designed in the studio of Sir Gilbert Scott and was consecrated in 1864. The original building had no tower, only a spire: the present tower, with spire above and the peal of six bells, was added in 1885-1886, the gift of Edward Gibb. The tower clock is a memorial to Revd Baron Hichens 1881-1902.
The nave and chancel windows were designed by the great ecclesiastical artist Charles Eamer Kempe (1837-1907) and were installed in 1901, replacing the original plain glass. They contain several examples of Kempe's signature, a tiny wheatsheaf. The chancel windows, depicting saints, were provided by private subscriptions and are dedicated to Revd John Otter (died 1899), Marguerite Humphrey (died 1895) and Marie Celeste, the first wife of James Hora (died 1875). The seven nave windows are a memorial to Sir Edward and Lady Colebrooke, who died in 1890 and 1896 respectively. Each window contains one or two figures of saints or biblical characters with a biblical event portrayed underneath. The nave windows also contain the Colebrooke coat of arms.
The 2 manual Walker organ was originally installed in 1867 in the north side of the chancel. Badly damaged by the fire, it was completely restored by Walkers in 1996 and rebuilt on the new gallery. Most of the instrument is original and it was hand-blown until 1947 when an electric blower was installed. Experts have described it as 'a splendid example of mid 19th century organ building' with 'pleasing tonal qualities'.
The wall memorials are many and varied. The most recent (1988) is near the chapel and former site of the organ and records the devoted service to Christ Church of Sidney Powell, organist and choirmaster for over forty years. Previous vicars, John Roberts Oldham and Baron Hichens, are commemorated by plaques above the vicar's stall and in the southwest corner respectively. The gift of the tower and bells is recorded on a plaque in the northwest corner and the dedication of the reredos is inscribed on a brass near the hymn board. The north wall has two marble memorials. One commemorates Reginald Brabazon, 12th Earl of Meath, who with the Countess built Chaworth House and founded Meath School and the infant school in Brox Road. The second commemorates Ottershaw School (1948-1980), a boys boarding school which had close links with Christ Church. The south wall memorials are to various individuals connected with this church and are self-explanatory. The most unusual memorial is the Hora Brass in the southwest corner. It quotes meticulous details from the will of James Hora (1826-1917) regarding two bequests: for the care of his first wife's grave (with details of permitted and forbidden flowers) and for provisions for the sick poor of the parish. It makes fascinating, albeit difficult, reading.