On Sunday, December 1 the lovely Marsh church of St Mary’s East Guldeford rang with the joyful voices of the congregation gathered there both for a service of Holy Communion and for a celebration and rededication of the east end angel frieze.
Church warden Annie Baker thanked those who made the service so special. “Thank you to everyone who came to St Mary’s this morning for the dedication service which was led by Rev Paul White: it was lovely to see the church full. Thanks to Chris Mills, author and historian, who has worked so hard digging through the archives: we can now share the information that our angels were painted in 1898 by Charles John Ffoulkes during his time in Rye. His wife Mary Maude Chester-Ffoulkes was also working in the town as an actress and writer. Ffoulkes created several art works in Rye from his studio in Watchbell Street.
“He was also instrumental in organising an Arts and Crafts fair in Rye along with the renowned artist William Morris. In later life Charles went on to be a founding curator of the Imperial War Museum immediately after the first world war. More information and a portrait photograph of Ffoulkes is available in the church and will be added to in the future.
“Thank you to Rev Paul for an uplifting first Advent and dedication service; thank you Poppy for lighting the first advent candle. Martin Bruce for playing the organ, Lesley Moore for Handel’s Let The Bright Seraphim with trumpet part by her husband Richard Moore and Kt Bruce for photography and video; and finally to Ruth and Graham Hurley for helping me with the flowers.”
Charles John Ffoulkes is a fascinating character and there will a further article showcasing his life later in the year in Rye News.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .
Beautiful. Thank you for this. We visited the church after the passing of a dear friend. The Angels add a graceful peace to the church interior, and location.