Revd E. Boys-Ellman and the Victorian Restoration
Revd E. Boys-Ellman was Curate of Berwick 1837-1843 and Rector 1846-1906, a ministry of a remarkable 66 years. He studied at Oxford where he was taught by the founders of the 'Oxford Movement', a Movement which restored Catholic elements to Anglican worship such as the importance of symbols, beauty, colour and the sacraments.
Revd Boys-Ellman is known for his book 'Recollections of a Sussex Parson', a remarkable account of his era. He described parts of the church as a 'rabbit warren' on his arrival. He built a new Rectory (1846) (adjacent to the church), a school (1854) (the flint building at the mini roundabout just down the lane), and also undertook the restoration of the church to designs by the local Victorian architect, Henry Woodyer.
A Church Rate with special intent for the restoration was made for three years and the Diocese and friends contributed. The building was completed in 1857. In the rebuilding of the north aisle Woodyer designed the innovative, ‘north arcade couple shaft’. The east end of the church was extended and completely rebuilt.
The stained glass above the altar at the east end of the South Aisle is in memory of Revd Boys-Ellman's wife,Georgina, and shows two women from the the New Testament Phoebe and Dorcas and above them the Virgin and Child. The 14th Century window adjacent to the Lady altar may have been the original East window moved at the time of restoration.
The East Window is in memory of Revd Boys-Ellman. It was made by Whitefriars and installed in 1908. Central is the risen Christ dressed in priests vestments, with hands raised in blessing and showing
the wounds on his palms and feet. Beneath his feet is 'living water'. Behind him is 'the tree of life' and through this the 'heavenly Jerusalem'. The window portrays the heavenly realm (see below) as described in the Book of Revelation, and the earthly realm with Jesus, the mediator, between the two. Mary is seen to the left holding lilies, next to her is John the Baptist and Nicodemus who took Jesus body and placed it in a tomb. On the right are Peter holding 'the keys to the kingdom' James with a chalice and John holding a sword. At the very top is a portrayal of St Michael.
Revd Boys-Ellman is known for his book 'Recollections of a Sussex Parson', a remarkable account of his era. He described parts of the church as a 'rabbit warren' on his arrival. He built a new Rectory (1846) (adjacent to the church), a school (1854) (the flint building at the mini roundabout just down the lane), and also undertook the restoration of the church to designs by the local Victorian architect, Henry Woodyer.
A Church Rate with special intent for the restoration was made for three years and the Diocese and friends contributed. The building was completed in 1857. In the rebuilding of the north aisle Woodyer designed the innovative, ‘north arcade couple shaft’. The east end of the church was extended and completely rebuilt.
The stained glass above the altar at the east end of the South Aisle is in memory of Revd Boys-Ellman's wife,Georgina, and shows two women from the the New Testament Phoebe and Dorcas and above them the Virgin and Child. The 14th Century window adjacent to the Lady altar may have been the original East window moved at the time of restoration.
The East Window is in memory of Revd Boys-Ellman. It was made by Whitefriars and installed in 1908. Central is the risen Christ dressed in priests vestments, with hands raised in blessing and showing
the wounds on his palms and feet. Beneath his feet is 'living water'. Behind him is 'the tree of life' and through this the 'heavenly Jerusalem'. The window portrays the heavenly realm (see below) as described in the Book of Revelation, and the earthly realm with Jesus, the mediator, between the two. Mary is seen to the left holding lilies, next to her is John the Baptist and Nicodemus who took Jesus body and placed it in a tomb. On the right are Peter holding 'the keys to the kingdom' James with a chalice and John holding a sword. At the very top is a portrayal of St Michael.
