Christ Church, Epsom Common
MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS
(NB excluding inscriptions on movable objects)
This article groups the memorials at Christ Church in each of the areas named in the plan below, starting with the Tower Porch and moving in a clockwise direction around the church.
An outline plan of Christ Church
Within each section, the memorials are listed numerically in a clockwise direction, the numbered location being indicated on the plan at the beginning of each section.
Clicking on highlighted links will lead to more information.
Index
• Tower Porch
• Baptistry
• North Aisle
• Memorial Chapel
• Chancel
• South Aisle
TOWER PORCH (TP)
Tower Porch Section
TP1: bronze wall plaque
A NEW RING OF BELLS WAS INSTALLED IN THIS TOWER
ON 25th FEBRUARY 1992
AND DEDICATED BY THE ARCHDEACON OF DORKING
ON 29th MARCH 1992
| __Bell__ | _____Cwt_____ | _____________Dedicated to:________________ |
|---|---|---|
| Treble | 2 – 3 – 22 | the memory of Adrienne Heyworth |
| 2nd | 3 – 0 – 22 | the memory of Robert Gill Gibson |
| 3rd | 3 – 1 – 14 | the memory of Harry, Bessie and John Roll |
| 4th | 3 – 2 – 9 | the memory of Margaret Coombes and May Waylan |
| 5th | 4 – 1 – 19 | the memory of Amy and Victor Oakeshott |
| 6th | 5 – 0 – 11 | the memory of Ron Bathgate, Colin Craddock-Jones, Jenny Jackson and Magdalena Targett-Adams |
| 7th | 6 – 2 – 18 | the Guildford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers |
| Tenor | 8 – 2 – 2 | the Glory of God |
The original bells were installed in 1890 and now hang
in Holy Trinity Church, Hawley, Hampshire.
TP2: metal plaque (in Clock Room – two levels above the Tower Porch)
ERECTED MAY 1891 / IN AFFECTIONATE MEMORY OF / ISAAC BRAITHWAITE / OF HOOKFIELD, EPSOM / BY HIS SON BASIL
Note: The plaque is fixed to the original Gillett & Johnson clock that was superseded by a radio-controlled electric mechanism in 2004.
TP3: painted board – which lists Christ Church’s vicars.
IN MEMORIAM J.E.M.
Notes:
This dedication is in minuscule lettering painted at the bottom of the frame – and refers to the Revd John Edward Matthews, Vicar from 1937 to 1940.
(As shown in the photograph at the end of our article about him, this “Vicars Board” was originally placed at the west end of the North Aisle, being moved to its present location in the 1990s to make way for a letter rack.)
BAPTISTRY (By)
Baptistry Section
By1: brass wall plaque
IN LOVING MEMORY OF / JOHN HAMMETT COLLINS. F.R.C.S. / DIED 13TH JULY 1871. AGED 54 YEARS. / ALSO OF HIS WIFE / MARY ANN COLLINS, / FOR 35 YEARS A MEMBER OF THIS CONGREGATION / AND CHURCH WORKER. / DIED 4TH NOVEMBER 1911. AGED 72 YEARS.
By2: metal wall plaque
IN MEMORY OF / ALBERT FOXWELL / FOR TWENTY THREE YEARS / VERGER OF THIS CHURCH / WHO DIED / 3rd. MAY 1965 AGED 82 YEARS
By3: brass plaque (fixed to foot of font)
THIS FONT IS PRESENTED TO THE VICAR AND / CHURCHWARDENS OF CHRIST CHURCH EPSOM, BY / EDWARD RICHARD NORTHEY IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE / OF HIS OLD FRIEND THE LATE MISS ELIZABETH TROTTER, / OF HORTON PLACE, OCTOBER 18TH 1876
By4: brass wall plaque (under 6 small stained glass windows)
TO THE GLORY OF GOD / IN MEMORY OF / SAMPSON HENRY, MARY ELIZABETH, ELEANOR GEORGINA / INFANT CHILDREN OF / WILLIAM AND MARY ELIZABETH TROTTER.
NORTH AISLE (NA)
North Aisle Section
NA1: brass wall plaque
TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND IN MEMORY OF / JAMES HOLT / THE FAITHFUL VERGER OF / THIS CHURCH FROM ITS / CONSECRATION IN 1876 / TO HIS DEATH IN 1897.
NA2: brass plaque (below a set of 3 windows)
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF CHARLES BISCHOFF / BORN MAY 18th 1833 DIED JUNE 22nd 1896
NA3: brass plaque (below a set of 3 windows)
TO THE GLORY OF GOD / IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION OF MANY BLESSINGS RECEIVED / DURING A LONG LIFE, THIS WINDOW WAS BEQUEATHED BY / ANN COTTLE, WHO DIED AT HORTON MANOR 25th JANUARY 1884, / FOR 44 YEARS A FAITHFUL NURSE AND VALUED FRIEND.
NA4: brass wall plaque
IN LOVING MEMORY OF / LLEWELLYN LOVELL / LEADING SEAMAN OF H.M.S. “VENGEANCE” / 3RD SON OF ALLEN AND ALICE LOVELL / OF THIS PARISH. / WHO WAS DROWNED WHILST IN THE EXECUTION / OF HIS DUTY, SECURING ANCHOR ON H.M.S. “CRESSY” / OFF PORTLAND, FEBRUARY 27TH 1906. / IN HIS 22ND YEAR. / “THE SEA SHALL GIVE UP THE DEAD / WHICH ARE IN IT.” REVELATION XX.13.
NA5: brass plaque (below a set of 3 windows) –
TO THE GLORY OF GOD / THESE WINDOWS ARE ERECTED IN LOVING MEMORY OF / GEORGE BROWN BY HIS WIDOW / Obt 11 APRIL 1876 AETAT 74 / HE THAT BELIEVETH IN ME THOUGH HE WERE DEAD YET SHALL HE LIVE / JOHN XI 25
NA6: brass wall plaque
IN AFFECTIONATE MEMORY OF / MICHAEL [Williams], YOUNGEST SON OF / SIR WILLIAM WILLIAMS, 1ST BARONET / OF TREGULLOW, / DIED 24 APRIL, 1905, / AGED 66 YEARS. / ERECTED BY HIS GRATEFUL SERVANT, R.H.W. [being Robert Henry Willis]
NA7: stone wall tablet
IN LOVING MEMORY OF / EMMELINE MATILDA WILLIS / ENTERED INTO REST DECEMBER, 5th, 1929, ALSO OF / HENRY WILLIS, JANUARY, 30th, 1930 AND / MARY WILLIS, OCTOBER, 9th, 1930
NA8: stone & mosaic wall tablet
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING / MEMORY OF EMMELINE WILLIS / DIED 20TH SEPTEMBER 1921 AGED 75. / A FAITHFUL WORSHIPPER IN THIS / CHURCH FOR 46 YEARS. / ERECTED BY HER HUSBAND, FAMILY AND GODCHILD
NA9: stone wall tablet (sited immediately under NA8)
IN LOVING MEMORY OF / HENRY WILLIS / WARDEN OF THIS CHURCH FOR 41 YEARS / HE PASSED AWAY ON SEPTEMBER 29TH, 1926, / AGED 85 YEARS. / TO THE GLORY OF GOD, / AND AS HIS MEMORIAL, A GIFT WAS MADE TO / THE CHRIST CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND BY HIS / CHILDREN, AND ALSO BY HIS FRIENDS ON THE DAY / OF HIS BURIAL, OCTOBER 1ST, 1926.
NA10: brass wall plaque
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF / THOMAS FURNISS / A CHOIRMAN IN THIS CHURCH FROM ITS CONSECRATION 1876. / ENTERED INTO REST DEC. 1ST 1908, IN HIS 81ST YEAR. / “THY KINGDOM COME. / THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH / AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.”
MEMORIAL CHAPEL (MC)
nowadays known as the Peace & Reconciliation Chapel
NOTE: Although there is no memorial text, the church records show that the window that is between 4 and 5 in the plan below show was paid for by a Miss Bolton of Durdans Lodge in memory of, enigmatically, “T-LM and G-GB.”
Memorial Chapel Section
MC1: brass wall plaque
TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND IN EVER LOVING MEMORY OF / NEVILLE GEORGE JOSEPH STIFF, / VICAR OF THIS PARISH / WHO DIED ON 28TH JANUARY 1923, / THE COMMUNION RAILS IN THIS CHAPEL / ARE GIVEN BY HIS MOTHER.
MC2: brass wall plaque (immediately under a 3-light window)
IN MEMORY OF CHARLES VERNON STRANGE, LIEUTENANT ROYAL NAVY, LORD OF THE MANOR OF EPSOM WHO WAS LOST ON / H.M.S. EURYDICE, OFF THE ISLE OF WIGHT MARCH 24th 1878, AGED 29. “SO HE BRINGETH THEM UNTO THEIR DESIRED HAVEN”
MC3: WW2 Memorial (a bronze wall plaque) commemorating 58 parishioners
MC4: On a wall-mounted painted 3D plaster Madonna & Child
TO THE GLORY OF GOD / IN LOVING MEMORY OF // MARY RISBRIDGER / WHO WORSHIPED [sic] IN THIS CHURCH / FOR MANY YEARS – APRIL 7. 1943 – R.I.P
MC5: WW1 Memorial (wooden reredos) commemorating 57 parishioners
MC6: in stained glass window
IN MEMORIAM E.E.P. [being Elliott Ernest Puckle]
MC7: stone wall tablet
TO THE BELOVED MEMORY OF / NEIL PRIMROSE / A WORSHIPPER HERE WITH / HIS FATHER WHO HAS / RAISED THIS TABLET / HE WAS BORN AT DALMENY / DECEMBER 14TH. 1882 / WAS KILLED IN ACTION / NOVEMBER 15TH. 1917 / ON THE HILL OF GEZER / IN PALESTINE AND LIES / BURIED AT RAMLEH / HE WAS THE LIGHT OF OUR EYES / & THE JOY OF ALL WHO KNEW HIM / THE LORD GAVE AND THE LORD / HATH TAKEN AWAY / BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD
(Note: Neil Primrose MP was the youngest son of Lord Rosebery who, as the tablet indicates, was a regular worshipper at Christ Church. He was also a most generous benefactor, for example funding the construction of the South Aisle in 1879. Even so, “his father” in the above is the only reference to Lord Rosebery in the church’s memorials.)
MC8: brass wall plaque
TO THE GLORY OF GOD / THE REREDOS / IN THIS CHURCH / WAS ERECTED A.D. 1886 / IN MEMORY OF / MARY ELIZABETH TROTTER / OF HORTON MANOR. / BORN MARCH 26 1812. / DIED FEBRUARY 15 1885.
MC9: brass plaque (immediately below MC8)
TO THE GLORY OF GOD / THE MURAL DECORATION / ROUND THE EAST WINDOW / WAS COMPLETED A.D.1887, / IN MEMORY OF / WILLIAM TROTTER / OF HORTON MANOR. / BORN OCTOBER 1 1800. / DIED MARCH 26 1887.
CHANCEL (Ch)
NOTE: Although there is no memorial text, it is clear from the church records that the mural over the Chancel Arch is in memory of the first Vicar, the Revd George Willes.
Chancel Section
Ch1: in stained glass window
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHN TROTTER / MARIA TROTTER HIS WIFE AND ELIZABETH TROTTER HIS SISTER
Ch2: incised in the brass central section added to the original 1876 altar rail
THE GIFT OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN MEMORY OF / EDITH ESTHER ANDERSON / WHO DIED SEPTEMBER 28TH 1977
Ch3: on two glass tiles among the decoration
TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF / OUR DEAR SON / NORMAN WITHALL ASTON / WHO DIED AT ETON COLLEGE / GOOD FRIDAY 1900 / AGED 17.
Ch4: incised into structural stone
THE PRESENT EAST WINDOW / WAS ERECTED 1952 / TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL / WHICH WAS DAMAGED BEYOND / REPAIR BY ENEMY ACTION IN / 1941 / THE ORIGINAL GLASS OF THE / TRACERY WAS REPLACED BY / THE PRESENT GLASS IN 1955 / THE GIFT OF DOROTHY WEBB / A FAITHFUL WORSHIPPER IN / THIS CHURCH
Ch5: brass wall plaque
TO THE PRAISE AND GLORY OF GOD / THE EAST WINDOW IN THE CHANCEL IS / OFFERED IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE / OF ELIZABETH TROTTER, WHO BY THE / GRACE OF GOD WAS FOUNDER OF THIS CHURCH / AND PARISH, SHE WAS DAUGHTER OF / JAMES TROTTER, ESQRE OF HORTON MANOR, / AND DIED OCTOBER 25TH AD1868. / “HE TURNETH THE WILDERNESS INTO A STANDING WATER / AND DRY GROUND INTO WATER SPRINGS.” PS. CVII.35.
Ch6: brass wall plaque
IN LOVING MEMORY OF / OUR SON / TREFELYN ROLAND CROPLEY, / SERGT. QNS. WESTR. RIFLES / WHO DIED FOR / GOD, RIGHT AND LIBERTY. / NOVEMBER 30TH 1917 / R.I.P
Ch7: bronze wall plaque (immediately below Ch6)
IN LOVING MEMORY OF / G.H. JEANS / CHOIRMAN AT CHRIST CHURCH / 1928-1970
Ch8: brass wall plaque (immediately below Ch7)
IN LOVING MEMORY / OF FRANK PULLINGER / 1898-1974 / CHORISTER IN THIS CHURCH / FOR 69 YEARS
Ch9: stone wall tablet with inlaid bronze plaque
On the stone tablet:
TO KEEP IN / MEMORY THE / FAITHFUL / SERVICE IN / THIS PARISH / OF / ARCHER GEORGE / HUNTER & MARIANNE / HIS WIFE FROM 1882 TO 1912
[Note: Both those dates are a year later than on the Tower Porch board – see TP3 above – and all other records]
On that tablet’s inlaid bronze plaque:
ARCHER GEORGE HUNTER MA / [his profile likeness] / TO COMMEMORATE THE FIFTIETH YEAR / OF HIS PRIESTHOOD IN THE CHURCH / OF ENGLAND 1874-TO-1925 – / MINISTERED IN LONDON AND CHRIST / CHURCH EPSOM HON CANON / OF WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL / RURAL DEAN OF LETHERHEAD.
[Note: “Letherhead” is the Victorian spelling of nearby Leatherhead]
Ch10: brass wall plaque
TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF / LEONARD JOHN HUNTER / WHO DIED FEBRUARY 20TH 1891 / THE PAINTING ON THE ORGAN / AND THE TWO SIDE PANELS / TOGETHER WITH THE CORONA / IS DEDICATED BY HIS PARENTS. / FESTIVAL OF S LUKE EV 1891.
Ch11: painted brass plate
TO THE HONOUR / AND GLORY OF / ALMIGHTY / +GOD+ / IN MEMORY OF / WILLIAM / SAMPSON / TROTTER / LATE OF HOR- / TON MANOR / THIS SCREEN IS / ERECTED BY HIS / WIFE, SON AND / DAUGHTER / C.S.T; J.F.A.T. / E.C.B.T.
Ch12: brass wall plaque
TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF / EVA, GRACIE AND / ANNIE MARGERY / CHILDREN OF / THOMAS TOWNSEND AND / ANNIE BELL BUCKNILL. / “OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD.”
SOUTH AISLE (SA)
South Aisle Section
SA1: incised into structural stone
TO REMEMBER THE GENEROUS GIFT / OF PETER MILES FOR REBUILDING THE / ORGAN AND RENEWING THE LIGHTING / OF CHRIST CHURCH NOVEMBER 1936.
SA2: incised into structural stone
NEAR THIS PLACE GEORGE EDWIN GOOD / ORGANIST AND MASTER OF THE CHOIR / GAVE FIFTY NINE YEARS – 1876 – 1935 / OF DEVOTED SERVICE TO CHRIST CHURCH. / THE CHOIR ORGAN WAS ADDED IN 1937 / AS A TRIBUTE TO HIS MEMORY.
SA3: at foot of wall-mounted cruciform brass
TO THE GLORY OF GOD / IN MEMORY OF / FREDERICK DYMOKE MURRAY, / CAPTAIN AND BREVET MAJOR / 42nd ROYAL HIGHLANDERS BLACK WATCH / COMMANDING 2nd REGt SCOTTISH HORSE, / [WITH COLONEL BENSON’S COLUMN] / WHO FELL MAKING THE LAST STAND WITH THE GUNS / AT THE BATTLE OF BAKENLAAGTE SOUTH AFRICA, / ON OCTOBER 30th 1901 IN THE 30th YEAR OF HIS AGE. /
SA4: in stained glass (set of 2 windows)
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF / MARY BISCHOFF 22 FEBY 1883
SA5: in stained glass (set of 3 windows)
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF / CHARLES COLLIER JONES / WHO FELL ASLEEP 30th APRIL 1882
SA6&7: pair of stone wall tablets
IN MEMORY OF KATE MILES / HER HUSBAND PETER MILES / MADE A GIFT FOR THE / LIGHTING OF THIS CHURCH / NOVEMBER 1936.
IN MEMORY OF GLADYS KATE / MILES HER FATHER PETER / MILES MADE A GIFT TO REBUILD / THE ORGAN OF THIS CHURCH / NOVEMBER 1936.
SA8: in stained glass (set of 3 windows)
A THANK OFFERING TO THE GLORY OF GOD
(Note: The donor is now unknown)
SA9: stone wall tablet
IN LOVING MEMORY OF / FREDERIC AND JULIA / LEDGER / AND THEIR SONS / GODFREY AND ROBERT / FAITHFUL MEMBERS / OF THIS CHURCH FROM 1889 TO 1914
SA10: in stained glass (set of 3 windows)
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF / WILLIAM GEORGE NUNN / WHO FELL ASLEEP JANUARY 2nd 1892
SA11: in stained glass (3-light window) and brass plaque
In the 3-light window:
IN MEMORY OF / FRANCIS VERNON NORTHEY / LIEUTENANT COLONEL 60 RIFLES / BORN 14 OCTOBER 1836 DIED / FROM A MORTAL WOUND RECEIVED / AT THE BATTLE OF GINGHILOVA / ZULULAND ON PALM SUNDAY 6 APRIL / 1879 THIS WINDOW ERECTED / BY HIS WIDOW./
On the brass plaque immediately underneath:
AT THE EARNEST DESIRE OF HIS WIDOW THE BODY WAS BROUGHT TO ENGLAND / AND BURIED IN EPSOM CEMETERY ON THE 9th OF DECEMBER 1879
Roger Morgan © 2019