A History of Christ Church Bray
The Origins of Christ Church
by Sarah O'Culachain
There is no definite record as to when the idea of building a new parish church to meet the needs of the rapidly increasing Church population of Bray was first suggested, but it was certainly after 1850. Until the consecration of Christ Church, the Parish Church in Bray was St Paul's Church beside the bridge in the centre of the town. This was a much older church on a site with evidence of origins before the Reformation (16th century).
(St Paul's closed for worship in the early 1970's.)
As the population of Bray expanded in the early 1850's, particularly with the advent of the railway in 1854, so it was deemed necessary to build a second church. References in fund-raising literature were made to the influx of visitors to the town who, being those to benefit from a new church, should help pay the cost. The chief promoter of the work was the 11th Earl of Meath whose family and descendants have influenced the parish and been munificent benefactors throughout its history.
By 1858 money was being collected, a committee had been appointed to carry out the project, and a site on the Rock of Bray had been offered by Lord Herbert of Lea. In 1859 the offer was accepted by the Select Vestry (the executive body which runs the parish) and architectural archives from 1861 record the laying of the stone for the new church in Bray by the Archbishop of Dublin. The architect was Mr William Slater of Messrs Carpenter and Slater of London and the builder was Mr Carroll of Dublin.
The church was consecrated in 1863 on St James' Day, 25 July, by the Bishop of Killaloe. It is built from local granite in a simple French style but with several features, especially windows, which could have been derived from Irish medieval origins. The Church Building Committee reported in December 1864 that "The parish now, by the blessing of God, possesses the main part of a Church commodious, substantial, well proportioned, and duly furnished, on the beautiful site set apart for the purpose by the piety of the late Lord Herbert of Lea. The Committee are thankful that their task has been carried out so far without serious accident or disappointment. Mr Carroll completed his contract before the date assigned; and funds have been contributed which have met all expenses hitherto incurred, and leave a balance of £1,082 4s 10d to be applied to the completion of the Church."
The completion of the Church refers to the building of the tower and spire which were not in place when the Church was consecrated. At that time the entrance was part of only a foundation layer for the tower. Work began in 1865 on the tower and spire but completion was delayed by storms until 1870. This 53.3m (175 ft) landmark, buttressed and crowned by pinnacles, an octagonal drum and spire, can be seen far and wide from the surrounding countryside and indeed sea.
The Bells
The tower remained empty for ten years after its completion until the peal of eight bells was hung. It is said that the impetus for a collection for a peal of bells came in a visit to Bray in 1877 with a remark by Prime Minister William Gladstone that "so noble a church tower as this should not be silent". The bells were made in England by Taylors of Loughborough and they vary in weight from the Treble (7 cwt) to the Tenor (1 ton 10 cwt). They were first hung in 1880/81 at a cost of £1,100. In 1950 they were re-hung on a steel frame after being returned to England for tuning. They have been rung regularly ever since by teams of parishioners before Sunday morning service and by visiting teams of bell-ringers from further afield. They are still rung each year at midnight on 31st December to welcome a new year. The bells at Christ Church have been described as one of the finest peals in the whole of Great Britain and Ireland.
The Interior
Immediately on entering the church you are struck by the size of the interior. The length is 38.1m (125 ft), the width 20m (65.5 ft) and the peak of the main roof is 19.8m (65 ft) high. In the original design the sanctuary was to be extended another 9.1m (30 ft), but reputedly, much to the disappointment of the then Lord Meath, the decision was taken to reduce its dimensions to those as you see them today. The interior of the church on completion in 1863 was unadorned, being described as "tiling throughout… of the plainest kind". All decorations to the interior were added in accordance with the original plans of the architects but over a period of many years.
As you enter, on your left (the northwest corner), is the massive stone font which is Norman in style. Above you towers the roof, supported by an arcade with alternately circular and clustered slender columns resting on carved corbels. A double roof truss marks the junction of nave and chancel.
Proceed up the central aisle towards the altar. Behind the centre of the altar is an arcade of pointed arches containing glass mosaics representing the Transfiguration of Our Lord. This was one of the first adornments to the interior of Christ Church and a tablet below records that it was erected in memory of Edward Lysaght Griffin. It was made by craftsmen from the Salviatis Glass Works of Venice and the design is an adaptation of Raffaelle's well-known picture.
On either side of the centre are three marble mosaic panels. To your right are three figures of Messianic prophets, St John the Baptist, Isaiah and Daniel and to your left are the three Apostles who witnessed the Transfiguration, St John the Evangelist, St Peter and St James. These were also made by the craftsmen from Venice and were completed over a period starting with those closest to the centre in 1891, funded by way of gifts in memoriam, to the winter of 1894/ 95 by which time the appeals for subscriptions to allow the completion of the reredos had collected sufficient funds. The cost was £37.10s for each panel. Connemara marble was applied to the wall above and below the reredos later in 1895 to complete the decoration.
On either side of the panels are memorial tablets to two former Rectors of the Parish: Archdeacon James G Scott and Canon George Digby Scott (author of The Stones of Bray), a ministry by father and son which lasted from 1862 to 1943.
The stone arcade work above the reredos continues along the north and south walls of the chancel. On the south side this provides three seats for clergy, one credence shelf and one bay left vacant for ease of administration to communicants.
Overhead on either side of the chancel arch are figures of angels, carved from stone in 1902 by a London artist, Mr James Forsyth. The two are playing musical instruments and stand on corbels and clustered columns with richly decorated canopies above, the niches being the work of Messrs Harrison and Son of Dublin.
The Woodcarving
The distinctive woodwork in Christ Church is of special importance. The woodwork and carvings had their origins in a wood carving class for choirboys run by the Misses Faulkner in 1887. The pupils enjoyed such success that very soon they were winning prizes and selling their work. The boys' first effort was the Celtic alms box at the North door. In 1902 four members of the class, by then a men's carving class, carved the Bishop's Chair, a reproduction of one of the choir stalls in the church of San Pietro in Perugia.
In 1904 the carving class was affiliated for a time to the new Technical School and gradually it developed into the Bray Art Furniture Industry. The boys were trained as cabinet-makers to construct articles carved by the woodcarvers in their leisure hours. The prayer desk and lectern were presented as memorial gifts in 1907 and 1908. They were carved to the design and under the instruction of Miss St John Whitty, who was to be recognised as an artist of international repute. The prayer desk is of gothic design and features two angels of Prayer and Praise, one holding a censer and the other a trumpet: both were carved by Miss Whitty herself. The lectern features three more delicately carved angels and the figure of St Patrick (almost hidden) in a central niche, again the work of Miss Whitty.
The screen at the back of St Paul's chapel is a memorial to Mrs Scott (wife of Archdeacon Scott). It was made during the 1914-1918 war by workers from Messrs Anderson, Stanford and Ridgeway in Dublin, the Bray Art Furniture Industry having closed by reason of the war. All the carving was executed by one of the Bray carvers, William Glover. The carving on the organ screen and canopy was completed in accordance with her own design as a memorial to Miss St John Whitty who passed away in 1924. The finishing touches to the organ case were added in 1925 when little walnut statuettes of N Breandan (St Brendan) of Clonfert and N Brigid of Kildare completed the memorial, being described at the time as "really delightful pieces of sculpture, full of life and character in their features and their pose".
The vacant niches in the carved screen opposite the organ were filled later in 1925 with figures of N Columcille and N Caoimhin (St Kevin) of Glendalough being "extremely beautiful and convincing character studies, and if possible even more satisfying than the first two of St Brendan and St Brigid". The last of the five little figures of Irish saints to be completed was that of N Croine (St Cronan), the virgin saint of Kilcroney, shown as rejecting a crown to embrace a cross as she renounced her royal rank to devote herself to the religious life. The names in Irish of each of the five saints are carved alongside the figures.
In 1936 the screen on the north aisle of the church was given as a memorial to Captain and Mrs Riall, and the space enclosed was converted into the Chapel of the Epiphany for weekday services. It was designed to harmonise with all the other carved walnut furniture in the chancel. Again the expert carving was carried out by William Glover. A feature which gives special distinction to the design is that, instead of making a straight line across the aisle, the screen has two right angles in it, which gave both the architect and the builders special opportunities for showing the perfection of their skill. A little detail which no one would ever discover were it not pointed out is that Mr Glover, who had a special affection for the Riall family, decorated a set of bosses in the coving on the back of the screen successively with carvings of roses, violets and olives to suggest the names of the three donors of the work of art.
The Chapel of the Epiphany
The Chapel of the Epiphany takes its name from the subjects of the East window. On the panelling on the north wall of the chapel are carved the names of many parishioners whose relatives and friends in 1936 wished to commemorate them. The moulding above the panel bears three Greek words meaning "Let us remember with thanksgiving". The titles around the panel are in three languages: Jesus of Nazareth (Hebrew), Jesus Christ (Greek) and Son of God (Latin) together with corresponding conventional representations of the Cross. The first panel is inscribed with the names of those who have ministered as priests on the staff of the parish since Christ Church was consecrated and who have passed away. The other panels bear the names of those in memory of whom gifts have been given to the Chapel, and other departed friends of parishioners. The panels continue to be used for commemorating friends and relatives who have passed away.
Just outside the Epiphany Chapel is a large oak chest made from rafters out of the old St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. These were presented to individuals connected with the cathedral on its refurbishment. The chest was presented to Christ Church in 1986 by the descendants of one such individual as a memorial to their parents and brother.
The Organ
The organ was built by Messrs Conacher of Huddersfield in 1912 when the previous organ was moved to St Paul's Church. It is a fine example of the romantic Edwardian organs built by Conacher and has not been rebuilt or altered substantially since its construction. It is of some interest to note that the organist in 1896 was Hamilton Harty who left for London in 1901 and subsequently became world famous as the founder of the Halle Orchestra.
The Pulpit
The rather massive pulpit is in keeping with the scale of the building. The figures, from left to right, are Moses, St James, St John, St Peter, Jeremiah and Abraham. A final plinth is left vacant. The four Evangelists have their individual signs incorporated into the panels.
St Paul's Chapel
Following the closure of St Paul's Church, the Holy Communion Table from St Paul's was brought to Christ Church and placed in the space outside the choir vestry. This was designated St Paul's Chapel in 1978. The area was refurbished in 1986 at which time a new set of altar frontals was made by a group of dedicated parishioners and friends. All the refurbishment was done as a memorial to Rev Richard Groves Large whose ministry (1971-85) is honoured by a brass plaque on the wall beside the Communion Table.
Illuminated Manuscripts
There are two illuminated manuscripts in separate display tables at the rear of the Church. These were presented to Archdeacon Scott and Canon Scott in 1903 and 1910 respectively. Each illustrates every parish where the clergyman served in the course of his ministry, the latter being signed by each parishioner (including the Riall daughters mentioned above Rose, Violet and Olive).
The Windows
All around Christ Church you will see a fine collection of stained glass windows, each one of which was given as a memorial. At one time a phrase had been stencilled above each window describing its contents in a few words. These were destroyed by water damage from serious roof leaks, and in the 1980's were replaced with the same inscription carved on Irish oak panels.
A detailed description of each window including its provenance and memorial is given in the appendix to this guide. Some of these windows replace original windows in Christ Church which were of Munich glass. Only one such window remains, that in the choir vestry, as the rest were replaced after being deemed inferior in 1916 and "never really worthy of the Church". Whilst today's admirers of Munich glass might dispute such comments the windows which you see all around are undoubtedly of exceptional quality and include three windows by Child from the An Tur Gloine Studio in Dublin.
There are two single windows, each depicting the Good Shepherd, which are found at the end of the aisles looking westward. The remaining windows illustrate the life of Christ, beginning in the Chapel of the Epiphany with the Nativity and ending in the chancel with the great east window depicting the Ascension.
The windows on the north side of the church depict (east to west) The Temptation, The Marriage at Cana, The Draught of Fishes, The Woman of Samaria, The Stilling of the Storm, The Demoniac of Gadra, The Healing of Jairus's Daughter and the Healing of the Paralytic.
The great west window featuring the Teaching and Healing Ministry was completed in 1889 as a memorial to the 11th Earl of Meath. There are six columns of three pictures each depicting different stories from the Gospels. Following the direction of the other windows these are viewed in columns from north to south (right hand side toward the left):
i) The Pool of Bethesda, The Cornfield on the Sabbath, The Sermon on the Mount
ii) The Gate of Nain, The Sinner at Christ's feet, and The Sermon from the Ship
iii) Jesus at Nazareth, Feeding the 5,000, Walking on the Sea
iv) The Woman of Canaan, The Samaritan Leper, St Peter and the Tribute Money
v) The Woman Taken in Adultery, Martha and Mary, The Raising of Lazarus
vi) Suffer the Little Children, Blind Bartimaeus, and Zacchaeus in the Tree.
The windows on the south side of the church depict (west to east) The Entry into Jerusalem, The Cleansing of the Temple, Washing the Disciples' Feet, The Agony in the Garden, The Healing of Malchus's Ear, The Mockery of the King, The Crucifixion, The Burial in the Tomb, The Rending of the Tomb, and The Appearance to Mary Magdalene.
The last two windows are in the choir vestry: The Road to Emmaus and The Appearance on the Shore.
The great east window has The Ascension for its subject, and underneath, The Last Supper.
There is one further window high up on the north wall of the sanctuary. This depicts The Martyrdom of St Stephen and The Conversion of St Paul.
Christ Church Bray in the 21st Century
The 21st century began for many inhabitants of Bray with the traditional ringing of bells at midnight on New Year's Eve 1999 after an ecumenical service in the church. We celebrated the dawn of the third Christian millennium by floodlighting the exterior of the building so now the landmark of Christ Church reminds us through the darkness that Jesus is the light of our world. The exterior lighting particularly highlights the granite cross which stands opposite the steps up to the front porch of the Church. This is made from the same stone as the Church itself and was presented in 1912 by his widow and family in memory of Archdeacon Scott.
We continue to celebrate by embarking on a major refurbishment programme of the interior and exterior to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the magnificent heritage of Christ Church Bray.
APPENDIX
THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS IN CHRIST CHURCH, BRAY
(LH) The Nativity and Presentation in the Temple and
(RH) The Flight into Egypt and Adoration of the Magi
Memorial: In gloriam dei sempiterni omnipotentis HENRIETTA Countess of Meath dedicavit 1865. To the glory of God eternal omnipotent Henrietta Countess of Meath dedicated 1865.
Attribution: William Holland, Warwick (c 1865)
(LH) The Baptism of Christ and
(RH) Christ in the Temple
Inscription:
(LH) Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness
(RH) All that heard him were astonished by his
understanding and wisdom.
Memorial: Erected by gift of Harriot, Countess of Meath
Attribution: Lavers and Barraud (c 1866)
(LH) The Wedding Feast at Caana and
(RH) The Temptation
Board: In all things he was made like unto his brethren
Inscription:
(LH) This beginning of miracles did Jesus
(RH) Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, him only shalt
thou serve
Memorial: Erected by gift of Harriot, Countess of Meath
Attribution: Lavers and Barraud (c 1866)
(LH) Jesus and the Woman from Samaria and
(RH) The calling of Peter and Andrew
Board: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners
Inscription:
(LH) Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst
(RH) Follow me and I will make you fishers of Men
Memorial: To the Glory of God and in memory of REGINALD 12th Earl of Meath who died 11th October 1929. Dedicated by his son, 13th Earl of Meath.
(The 12th Earl of Meath also has a window dedicated to his memory in St Paul's Cathedral, London)
Attribution: Signed by A E Child, Dublin 1932
(LH) The Gerasene Demoniac and
(RH) The Calming of the Storm
Board: He stilleth the Raging of the Sea and the madness of the people
Inscription:
(LH) Return to thine own house and shew how great things God hath done unto thee
(RH) What manner of man is this that even the wind and sea obey him
Memorial: To the Glory of God and in memory of KATHLEEN HARRIOT BRABAZON daughter of the 11th Earl of Meath died 15th February 1930. Dedicated by her nephew, 13th Earl of Meath
Attribution: Signed A E Child, Dublin 1932
(LH) The Healing of the Paralytic and
(RH) The Raising of Jairus' Daughter
Board: Himself bare our iniquities and our sickness
Inscription:
(LH) Thy sins be forgiven thee
(RH) Maiden I say unto thee arise
Attribution: Lavers, Barraud and Westlake (c 1866)
The Good Shepherd
Fresco: He shall gather the Lambs with his arms
Memorial: To the Glory of God in memory of MARY C L SCOTT died 8th February 1869
Attribution: Signed William Holland, Warwick (1869)
The Great West Window
The Teaching and Healing Ministry of Christ
Attribution: Messrs Holland and Bolt, Warwick (c 1889)
Memorial: In Nomine D O M et in memoriam GUILELMI COMITIS XI de Meath uxor vidua filius et filia posuerunt. In the name of God the highest and greatest and in memory of William 11th Earl of Meath his widow son and daughter placed [this window].
The Good Shepherd
Fresco: There shall be one fold and one shepherd
Memorial: To the Glory of God in memory of SARAH FETHERSTON who died 27th April 1870 Aetat 82
Attribution: Unidentified (Memorial 1870)
(LH) The Cleansing of the Temple and
(RH) The Entry into Jerusalem
Board: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord
Inscription:
(LH) Lord
My house is the house of prayer
(RH) King
Hosanna to the Son of David
Memorial To the Glory of God and in loving memory of CHARLES PUTLAND of Bray Head. Died 2nd October 1874. And of his wife GEORGINA died 16th March 1884. Also of his son GEORGE died 12th October 1876 and his daughter CHARLOTTE MAB NELIGAN died October 1887. This window is dedicated by their daughter CONSTANCE POWER and grandson CHARLES DEVAYNES SMYTH. They shall be mine saith the Lord when I make up my jewels.
Attribution: Signed Kempe and Co. London (c 1914. This window replaced a memorial of 1887)
(LH) Christ in Gethsemane and
(RH) The Washing of the Feet
Board: Christ also suffered for us leaving an example
Inscription:
(LH) Son
Not my will but thine be done
(RH) Servant
I am among you as he that serveth
Memorial: To the Glory of God and in ever loving memory of DEVAYNES SMYTH born May 1849 died at Bray Head 1912. Death at the Gate of Life. Also of GEORGINA DOROTHEA his wife, born at Bray Head and died there Aug 1912. This window is dedicated by their son CHARLES DEVAYNES SMYTH. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
Attribution: Signed Kempe and Co. London (c 1914. Replaced an earlier window with a memorial 1912)
(LH) Mockery of the King and
(RH) Healing of Malchus' Ear
Board: He came into his own and his own received him not
Inscription:
(LH) Man
Behold the man
(RH) Lamb
The cup which my father hath given me
Memorial: To the Glory of God, and in proud and ever living memory of Captain Algernon Beresford Smyth of the 2nd Battn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Born at Bray Head, 11th Jan 1884. Killed in action hear Ypres 15th Nov 1914. Mentioned in Despatches. This window is dedicated by his brother Charles and Dorothy Devaynes Smyth. Greater love hath no man than this.
Attribution: Signed Kempe and Co. London (c 1914. Memorial 1914)
(LH) Christ laid in the Tomb and
(RH) The Crucifixion
Board: He bare our sins in his own body on the tree
Inscription:
(LH) Buried
Thou wilt not leave by soul in Hades
(RH) Suffered
Father forgive them for they know not what they do
Memorial: Original window was dedicated by Lady Stamer in memory of her brother Mr Tomlinson, sometime curate of Bray.
Attribution: A E Child, Dublin (Documented 1928)
(LH) Christ appears to Mary Magdalene and
(RH) The Resurrection
Board: Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more
Inscription:
(LH) Ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and your God
(RH) Christ the first fruits afterwards they that are Christ's at his coming
Attribution: Lavers and Barraud (c 1866)
Appearances of the Risen Lord:
(LH) The Sea of Tiberius and
(RH) The Road to Emmaus
Inscription:
(LH) It is the Lord
(RH) Ought not Christ to have suffered
Memorial: Dedicated by the Bishop of Shrewsbury in memory of his mother, Lady Stamer
Attribution: Signed Mayer and Co. Munich
The Great East Window
The Last Supper and Ascension
Inscription: This do in remembrance of me
Memorial: Deo o m in memoriam JOHAN CHANI COM DE MEATH uxor vidua filiique moerentes. To God the highest and greatest in memory of John Chambre Earl of Meath his mourning widow and children.
Attribution: William Wailes, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (c 1863)
(LH) The Conversion of Saul and
(RH) The Martyrdom of Stephen
Memorial: To the Glory of God In loving memory of REV ORMSBY HANDCOCK died in Zanzibar 1870.
(Rev Hancock was the senior curate of Bray at the time the church was consecrated.)
Attribution: William Holland, Warwick
