Nominal: 653 Hz Weight: 2086 lbs Diameter: 46.38" Bell 1 of 12
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 1999
Dove Bell ID: 2102 Tower ID: 13544 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
St George, Douglas
Diocese of Sodor & Man
Church, 636018
Post Medieval
Overview
Grid reference: SC 378 754
The elevation follows much of the early Manx style. The south elevation has at ground floor level five half-round arch window openings set in red sandstone frames and surrounds along the wall of the nave. Each frame has two lights with bar tracery. Overhead and in line are five similar windows to the gallery. Between the nave and the tower is a small half octagon shaped stair turret and a gabled projection which gives direct access to the southern gallery. The north elevation is similar except for a projection which has three large half-round arch windows also set in red sandstone. The main entrance door at the west end is deeply recessed. A projection from the main wall face continues to the first stage of the tower. Above this is a small oculus and there are half-round window openings in each face of the belfry which are louvred. The top of the tower is embattled. The sanctuary wall has three elongated half-round arch stained glass windows set in red sandstone. There are smaller and similar style windows either side in the return walls of the nave. The floor of the chancel has been raised four feet to create a bridge over existing graves. At the apex of the gable to the sanctuary is a wheel cross.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Toilets Free wifi Childrens Facilities
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 687 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Following the building of St. Matthew`s Church in 1708 the population of Douglas increased steadily and by 1761 Bishop Mark Hildesley realised the existing provision was inadequate. In the same year a number of leading local citizens put forward the idea of demolishing St Matthew`s and using the materials for the building a new church. In this form the proposal was never progressed but plans for a new chapel continued and a prime site at Oates Land was given by Philip Moore of “The Hills”. By 1761 a substantial number of donations and promised contributions had been received and work on the new chapel went ahead. There is no record of an architect having been involved but it is known the stone came from the Howe just outside Douglas and timber was imported from Riga in Latvia. All the lime needed for the project was kilned and slaked on site. Work progressed slowly over the next four years but difficulties arose in 1765 with the passing of the Revestment Act by the Westminster Parliament, which gave control of custom duties to the British Crown. This had a catastrophic effect on the Manx economy and the recession which followed meant building work had to be stopped with many debts being left outstanding. Bishop Richmond revived the project 10 years later and appointed trustees to compound the old debts and to raise funds for the completion of all remaining work. At this stage the opportunity was taken to introduce improvements to the original design. The work was finally completed in November 1780 and the Church was consecrated by Bishop George Mason on the 27th September 1781. The Church then became a Chapel-of-Ease in the Parish of Braddan. The first Chaplain was the Revd. Charles Crebbin who was also vicar of Santon. In 1844 further increases in the local population resulted in the need for more seating accommodation and extensions to the Church were considered but not advanced. A rearrangement of the interior layout in 1847 gave nearly 200 extra seats for the poor. No structural alterations were processed until 1864 when the old semi-circular apse was pulled down to make way for an eastward extension which included a chancel, a reredos, vestries and an organ chamber. At this stage the Church had only two stained glass windows which were reset in the new chancel during building works, and in 1865 a large central window was presented by Henry Bloom Noble. A new font was provided in 1872. The Church became a separate Parish in 1878 and in 1880 a considerable sum of money was collected for repairs, some improvements and redecoration. The chancel was then richly ornamented with pilasters and the aisles and chancel floors were tiled. Gas fittings were also installed and new stone windows replaced those in wood. In addition three stained glass windows in the side aisles were installed. In 1882 St George`s became the temporary pro-cathedral for the Diocese and all Diocesan and National services were held in the Church including the enthronements of the Lord Bishops. An extensive renovation scheme was approved in 1896 but work was not taken up in earnest until 1908 when considerable extensions and improvements were made between 1909 and 1910. The building was again extended eastwards to provide a new and narrower chancel which was raised four feet above the ground to enable the extension to be carried over existing graves. It was also re-roofed with separate roofs for the nave and the two galleries and additional vestries were provided. Stalls were built for the Bishop, the Archdeacon and four canons. The new work and the gift of a new pulpit in the form of a cross were dedicated by Bishop Drury in the presence of Archbishop Lang of York on the 5th May 1910. In 1969 the whole Church interior was redecorated and Dykes Bower architect to Westminster Abbey was invited to suggest a scheme; he proposed a reversion to the original Georgian style of decoration.
Building Fabric and Features
Boiler Room
1771
Boiler Room under organ chamber
Building Materials
Stone
1770
The walls are constructed of random coursed local stone with dressed sandstone around door and window openings.
Sandstone
1760
Dressed sandstone around door and window openings. Dressed sandstone has also been used for a number of other features.
Interior
Interior Description
The main entrance is through an inner lobby within the narthex over which is the tower. From the narthex there is access to the galleries, the Church library and other offices on the first floor, and toilet accommodation and a kitchen on the ground floor. The narthex has a patterned polychromatic tiled floor. In the north eastern corner of the nave is a side chapel with a carved wood parclose screen with open lights above transome level and a marble floor. Behind the altar are riddell curtains and a reredos. Opposite in the south eastern corner is the baptistry with an ornate stone font on a base and pedestal with an intricately carved wood cover operated by a winch mechanism. Around the baptistry is another carved wood parclose screen also with open lights above transom level. At the steps leading to the sanctuary are cast responds with a pointed equilateral arch over. On the north and south sides of the chancel are the choir stalls. Shallow steps lead to the altar and set above the reredos are three stained glass windows of exceptional quality. Either side of the large central window are pilasters with ionic capitals and bases and a broken pediment over. There is a priest`s door in the north wall of the chancel. Pews are the fixed bench type with the aisles and walkways having patterned quarry tiled flooring. The octagonal columns supporting the galleries have superimposed columns in the Ionic order that continue up to the ceiling. In the west wall of the nave, at first floor level, are four borrowed window lights set in a classical surround resting on consoles supporting fluted columns. On either side they terminate with composite capitals and half-round arches over the windows, the whole being capped with deep cornicing. There is wood panelling to the walls around the Church to dado height with oak panelling to a height of 2 metres along the walls of the sanctuary. The Church is built in slate and limestone with red sandstone dressings to the door and window openings and other features. The main ceiling is barrelled in strip wood with exposed collars and centre struts. In 1833 the organ was rebuilt and again altered and improved in 1864. In 1885 a new organ was installed and was rebuilt in 1893.
Bells
Nominal: 1955 Hz Weight: 420 lbs Diameter: 23.5" Bell 2 of 12
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 2001
Dove Bell ID: 18567 Tower ID: 13544 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1743 Hz Weight: 444 lbs Diameter: 24.38" Bell 3 of 12
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 2001
Dove Bell ID: 18568 Tower ID: 13544 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1646 Hz Weight: 507 lbs Diameter: 25.13" Bell 4 of 12
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 1999
Dove Bell ID: 18569 Tower ID: 13544 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1466 Hz Weight: 502 lbs Diameter: 26.5" Bell 5 of 12
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 1999
Dove Bell ID: 18570 Tower ID: 13544 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1306 Hz Weight: 568 lbs Diameter: 27.63" Bell 6 of 12
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 1999
Dove Bell ID: 18571 Tower ID: 13544 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1233 Hz Weight: 638 lbs Diameter: 28.75" Bell 7 of 12
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 1999
Dove Bell ID: 18572 Tower ID: 13544 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1094 Hz Weight: 690 lbs Diameter: 30.5" Bell 8 of 12
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 1999
Dove Bell ID: 18573 Tower ID: 13544 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 976 Hz Weight: 758 lbs Diameter: 32.5" Bell 9 of 12
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 2001
Dove Bell ID: 18574 Tower ID: 13544 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 870 Hz Weight: 908 lbs Diameter: 34.88" Bell 10 of 12
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 1999
Dove Bell ID: 18575 Tower ID: 13544 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 822 Hz Weight: 1072 lbs Diameter: 37" Bell 11 of 12
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 1999
Dove Bell ID: 18576 Tower ID: 13544 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 730 Hz Weight: 1474 lbs Diameter: 41.5" Bell 12 of 12
Founded by John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd 1999
Dove Bell ID: 18577 Tower ID: 13544 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SC 378 754
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard is closed for burial by order in council.
The date of the burial closure order is 1990
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Submit a change
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