The East Window There are several attractive memorial windows in the Church but none so lovely as the East Window. A three-light window, decorated with a profusion of flowers and fruit among which is written:
"For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are in it to spring forth, so the Lord will cause righteousness and peace to spring forth before all the nations."
Along the bottom of the window is written:
"Erected by his sons, friends and tenants, in memory of Francis Wright Esquire, the Founder of this Church, Born Dec. 21st 1806, Died February 24th 1873."
The North Windows On the North Side of the church are windows as follows:
"Dedicated in 1931, a window to the memory of Lady Harriett Mary Ball, who died 25th March 1931, aged 66 years, the wife of Sir Albert Ball J.P."
Beneath each section of the window is written:
"Now is Christ risen from the dead."
"I ascend unto my Father and your Father."
"Father into thy Hands I commend my Spirit."
and "They were all Filled with the Holy Ghost."
Lady Ball is buried in the Family vault which is at the foot of the tower of Lenton Church. The South African War Memorial Window Erected by public subscription from the inhabitants of Lenton in honour of the 63 men who went from Lenton, and seven of that number who gave their lives in the South African campaign. The window was unveiled on November 7th 1901, by Earl Roberts V.C., Commander-in-Chief, British Army, who was accompanied by Lady Roberts. Lord Roberts was in Nottingham that day to award (by Royal Command) medals to one thousand men who had returned from the South African War. The subjects depicted are: (a)The Soldier going forth to battle (b) The Soldier on the Watch (c) The Soldier in battle (d) The Soldier's return. At the unveiling of the window it is said the bells were rung and an organ recital was given by Mr. Fred Harvey (organist, Lenton Parish Church). The Henry Kirk Window A window in memory of Henry Kirk, died April 10th 1911, who during his lifetime had donated £5OO to the Church Schools of Lenton, and the window was given by his sister, Mrs. F. Carver, also a very generous donor to the Church. It is a two-light window containing four pictures, being representations of the Good Shepherd, the Good Samaritan, the Talents and St. Lawrence bearing the grid-iron, the instrument of his torture. The South Windows On the South Side of the Church are three windows as follows: The Ball Window This is inscribed:
"This Window was erected to the Glory of God and to the memory of their beloved mother, by her sons, Frederick and Albert Ball, 1914"
The subjects represented are: (a) The Annunciation (b) The Birth of Christ (c) The Boy Jesus in the Temple (d) The Wedding in Cane. Both the above-mentioned brothers, Frederick and Albert Ball (later to become Sir Albert Ball J.P.) became Deputy and Mayor respectively of the City of Nottingham. They are buried in the family vault at the foot of the Tower with other members of the family. On the Church wall, above the vault, is a tablet to the memory of Captain Albert Ball V.C., D.S.O., with two bars, M.C., Chevalier Legion of Honour, Russian Order of St. George, Honorary Freeman of the City of Nottingham, the son of the above-named Alderman Sir Albert Ball and Lady Harriet Ball. His remains are buried in France. The Adams Window This was erected by the friends and neighbours to the memory of Thomas Adams, Lenton Firs, Adams-Hill, Lenton. (The Hill so named after Thomas Adams while the residence is now occupied by the Nottingham University.) Thomas Adams was one of the largest manufacturers of lace in Nottingham, his works situated in the Nottingham Lace Market. The building is still there but occupied by another manufacturer. Apart from the usual offices and workrooms. Thomas Adams also had a chapelin his factory where employees could attend a short morning service - the Vicar of Lenton, at that time, being the Chaplain who officiated at the early morning service. He was for many years a Churchwarden of Lenton Church, generous supporter of the Church Schools, Church and Foreign Missions. It is said that 10,000 people attended the funeral of Thomas Adams who died May 6th 1873 and was buried in the Church Cemetery, Mansfield Road. The subjects represented in the window are: (a) The humble Publican contrasted with the proud Pharisee (Luke XVIII). (b) The Prodigal's return and the Father's welcome (Luke XV) (c) The Faithful Steward (Luke XIX) (d) The Good Samaritan (Luke X). The Brewill Window This window, erected in conformity with the will of Mrs. Jane Sharp, is in memory of Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Brewill, late of Lenton, the parents of the testatrix. The subjects are suggested by Hebrews XI and are as follows:
(a) Obtained Promises. The aged Simeon and Anna, the recipients of such gracious promises, welcoming the Christ-Child at his Presentation in the Temple (An ancient tradition states that the day of Christ's presentation in the earthly temple was the day of Simeon's presentation in the heavenly temple, and that his Nunc Dimittis was uttered just before his death.)
(b) Out of Weakness were made Strong. Peter, after his denial and repentance, receives again his commission at the Sea of Galilee. Our Lord is bidding him "Feed my sheep, feed my lambs".
(c) Wrought Righteousness. Peter and John healing the impotent man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. (Acts III)
(d) Of whom the world was not worthy. Paul is depicted preaching on the steps of the Castle of Antonia, having been rescued from the mob in the Temple of the Roman Governor and General, both of whom are seen in the background. He was for a while allowed to speak, but an soon as he mentions his mission to the heathen world, with one accord the maddened Jews exclaim "Away with such a fellow from the earth, it is not fit that he should live." (Acts XXII) The Timothy Window A small window in the south-east wall was given to the Church in memory of Thomas Adams, the cost being covered with the surplus of money collected after defraying the cost of the larger window. This is called the "Timothy Window" being a portrayal of Timothy being instructed in the Scriptures by his mother, Eunice. It is inscribed "Sp'us Sa's Pater Filius", i.e. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. "From a child hast thou known the holy scriptures". in the book shown, it reads "All flesh is as grass, all the glory of man is as the flowers of grass". Tablets On the north wall is a tablet in memory of Captain Albert Ball, V.C., and is inscribed:
"Per Ardua ad Astra. In loving memory of Captain Albert Ball, V.C., D.S.O., with two bars, M.C., Chevalier Legion of Honour, Russian Order of St. George, etc. Honorary Freeman of the City of Nottingham. Eldest Son of Alderman Sir Albert Ball and Lady Ball, who passed over May 7th 1917, at Annoeullin, France, aged twenty years."
The tablet is decorated with the Royal Arms and five medals of distinction. Said to be the most famous airman that the Great war produced, Colonel John Buchan wrote of him "All records were excelled by the British airman, Captain Albert Ball, formerly of the Sherwood Foresters. When not twenty he had accounted for over thirty German machines, having taken part in over one hundred aerial combats. His life was fated to be as short as heroic, for he perished in the Spring offensive of 1917 after having destroyed for certain forty-one enemy planes, ten more practically certain and many others badly damaged. No greater marvel of skill and intrepidity has been exhibited by any service, in any army, in any campaign in the history of the world." Appreciation of him was written by H.M. The King, the Rt.Hon. David Lloyd George, Earl Haig, Generals Higgins and Trenchard and world-wide tributes paid to him by enemies as well as friends.
Born in Sherwin Road, Lenton, Captain Ball was a member of Lenton Church, educated at Trent College (after local school), was awarded the V.C. posthumously, presented to his parents at Buckingham Palace by H.M. King George V on 22nd July 1917. A statue to his memory was erected by the City of Nottingham in the grounds of Nottingham Castle wherein can be seen the medals and decorations gained during his short life. Annually, on the anniversary of his death there is a parade and short service attended by the few remaining comrades of his old regiment, held on the Castle Green.
A complex of memorial homes at the junction of Church Street and Sherwin Road is in memory of Captain Albert Ball, given in trust by his father, Sir Albert Ball. A feature of this very attractive row of houses, with the beautiful rose-gardens and lawns, is the weather-vane in the form of an aeroplane (similar to the type flown by Captain Ball) over the cupola. Another tablet on the north wall of the Church is to the memory of Joseph Fenton, died March 22nd 1853 aged 37 years, and of his wife Ann, who died December 14th 1853, aged 60 years. Also on the north wall is a tablet to the memory of four children of the Reverend George Browne, first vicar of Lenton's new Church, they being: William John aged 2 years, Edward aged 12 years, James Peter aged 6 months, Dennis George aged 19 years. On the north-east wall are three tablets to the memory of the Browne family, first to the Reverend George Browne, aged 83 years, who was vicar for 46 years in Lenton.
Second is to the wife of the above George Browne, Elizabeth Anne, aged 63 years, while the third one is to the memory of Francis Browne B.A., late vicar of Christ Church, Enfield, and some time Curate of Lenton.
On the south-east wall there are several tablets, three to members of the Wright family, the first with the inscription:
"In affectionate memory of John Wright, of Lenton Hall, Esquire, who died April 21st 1840, aged 81 years." "And of Elizabeth, his wife, eldest daughter of Francis Beresford, Esquire, of Ashbourne, who died December 18th 1833, aged 74 years." "Also of Annie, wife of Richard Perrin Esquire, and neice of the above, who died at Lenton Hall, in 1838, and was interred in the same vault in the old churchyard." "Also the son and three daughters of the above John Wright: John, eldest son, who died at Naples, Jan.24th 1828, aged 35. Francis, eldest daughter, died Jan.10th 1873, aged 77. Charlotte, second daughter, died May 6th 1886, aged 89. Anne, third daughter, died Jan.7th 1889, aged 89."
The second tablet "to Hilda Dorothy Price, who died in Karachi, India, November 23rd 1913, aged 32 years, daughter of Frederick Wright J.P., of Lenton Hall, and wife of Edwin Lessware Price, to whom she bare two sons."
The third tablet to "Frederick Wright, late of Lenton Hall, 26 years churchwarden of this parish, died September 4th 1916, and his wife, Joyce, died November 29th, 1920."
There are two tablets to the members of the Crewdson family, the first to Dorothea Mary Lynette Crewdson, V.A.D., Ass.Nurse, A.R.R.C., M.M., who died at Etaples, 12th March 1919, aged 32 years, after nearly four years work in France.
The other tablet to Henry Crewdson, many years Churchwarden and Choirmaster of this Church. Born Kendal, 13th October 1852, died Algecirus 11th April 1924, and his wife Margaret Croom, born Glasgow 1858, died Nottingham 1926.
Another tablet on this wall is to the memory of Annie Mary Bradley Bayley, second daughter of Henry Farmer and wife of Thomas Bayley M.P., who died at Langer Hall, Notts. August 23rd 1904.
Henry Farmer lived at Flora Cottage, Sherwin Road, Lenton (still there) and was a musician, with a large music shop with studios, in the City.
There is a tablet to the memory of Leslie Stanley, son of Frank William and Millicent Coy Johnson, of Dunkirk House, born 5th October, 1889, died 5th February 1903. This memorial was erected by his schoolfellows and masters of King Edward VI school, Grantham.
On the south side of the church there is a tablet to the memory of Thomas Adams J.P., "erected by his grateful children". He was born 5th February 1807. Fell asleep May 16th 1873, also in memory of their beloved mother, Lucy Adams, born August 28th 1807, died August 28th 1874.
Another tablet is to James Harvey, born 13th December 1832, died 17th September 1910, Sidesman of this Church 1876-1910, Warden 1883-1888 and 1908-1909. A plaque of the Good Shepherd is inscribed: "Gwendolen Hollick, died November 22nd 1901. Interred Church Cemetery November 26th 1901, aged 9 years 9 months." There is a tablet also on the south side to Alice Stickley Linsley, dearly loved wife of John Thomas Linsley, of Redcourt, Derby Road, (now Nottingham University) who died March 25th 1920, aged 56 years. The Linsley vault is at the foot of the Church Tower. |
