Little Church - Furnishings.
These are unique because the reading desk, pulpit and clerk's pew are all behind the altar and still in use. The purpose was to bring the officiant as close to the congregation as possible.
Altar: a 17th century table, boxed in on all sides in the 18th century and made into a cupboard (a medieval practice) (WILLIS). In Kerry’s day it contained 17th century records (KERRY), along with a bible and Prayer Book, which still remain (C43).
Chalice: one of the largest in England (9" high, circumference of bowl 15") (WARD), presented by Hon. Anchitell Gray 1701 (KERRY). It was made by Willoughby, Masham (PEVSNER). Is this what William Hollingworth had in 1857? (WHITE).
Pulpit: *1634 (WILLIS) *1635 (WARD). A three--decker; plain panelling; top band of upright leaf; book-rest on elegant brackets and modillions (CHATFIELD). A major refurnishing took place then, making it something like its present form (WILLIS).
Bishop's chair: Earl Stanhope sent it in July 1824 (WARD). It was made by the 4th Earl who died in 1855; he was a FRS, and a nephew of William Pitt (MAUD HOLLINGWORTH AND HARVEY CROSS).
Font: *dates from 1440 - 60 (KERRY) *14th century (CHATFIELD). It was formerly from Dale Abbey (WILLIS): 1860 it was restored to Dale churchyard (C43) by Mr Woodward (KERRY) and brought to the churchyard by John Hancock (KERRY) from Stanton Hall where it had been used as a flower vase, and put in the Little Church *c. 1878 (MAUD AND HARVEY) *1884 (WILLIS, C43).
Screens: ? c. 1480; plain lights; plain lower panels with moulded frames (CHATFIELD).
Alabaster slab: moved some years before Kerry from under the pew on the north side of the north aisle. It has indications of 4 male figures of civilians with the inscription
+ ORATE PRO AIABUS PETRI NESSE THOME ROGERS JOHIS + MID + M.D. xxxii +
Pews: open seats in the nave *possibly 17th century (WILLIS) *c.1480 (CHATFIELD); the box pews are pre-Victorian (high-sided to keep the draughts out) (WILLIS); *c. 1634 (CHATFIELD) *17th century (BALL).