Provincial Priory of Surrey Service of Rededication and Thanksgiving
The Biennial Church Service this year was held at the lovely old church of All Saints in Banstead. Many Knights, their friends and their families attended the service which was officiated by Em. Knight Leonard Moreton, our Provincial Prelate, and the Revd. Ian Whitley, the Curate of All Saints Church.
The land on which All Saints church was built was donated by the Lord of the Manor, Nigel de Mowbray, nearly 1000 years ago. It was probably built in the 1190s.
A South Chapel was added in 1837 but the original Saxon nave was significantly extended between 1861 and 1898 under the auspices of the Lambert family and Lord Egmont, then Patron of the Living. These 'restorations' under the direction of G E Street, the noted architect responsible for London's Law Courts, included the North and South Aisles, West Tower, and vestry, resulting in the building we see today.
After the processions into the Church, the Curate of All Saints, Rev’d Ian Whitley, opened the service by warmly welcoming everyone. The service was conducted by the Provincial Prelate, Eminent Knight Rev. Leonard Moreton.
The carefully chosen hymns, which were not only very appropriate to the Christian Precepts of the Masonic Knights Templar Order but all very well known, were lustily sung by the congregation led by the Choir under the baton of Em. Knight. Glyn Harvey.
The lessons were read by the Provincial Prior, Rt.Em. Knight Patrick Crossan, and Sub-Prior, V.Em. Knight Chris Cradock. Revd. Ian Whitley gave a very moving address linking Christianity with the 100 years anniversary of the First World War. (link to the PDF file of his address). The Provincial Chancellor, V.Em. Knight Ian Smith, read the Precepts of the Order.
Following the service the congregation adjourned to the Church hall where the 'Ladies of the Church' had prepared a magnificent, really tasty and enjoyable buffet tea.
Click here to view a slide show of all the photos of the day. Click here to view Curate’s address.
Article and photographs by Chris Eley
The Biennial Church Service this year was held at the lovely old church of All Saints in Banstead. Many Knights, their friends and their families attended the service which was officiated by Em. Knight Leonard Moreton, our Provincial Prelate, and the Revd. Ian Whitley, the Curate of All Saints Church.
The land on which All Saints church was built was donated by the Lord of the Manor, Nigel de Mowbray, nearly 1000 years ago. It was probably built in the 1190s.
A South Chapel was added in 1837 but the original Saxon nave was significantly extended between 1861 and 1898 under the auspices of the Lambert family and Lord Egmont, then Patron of the Living. These 'restorations' under the direction of G E Street, the noted architect responsible for London's Law Courts, included the North and South Aisles, West Tower, and vestry, resulting in the building we see today.
After the processions into the Church, the Curate of All Saints, Rev’d Ian Whitley, opened the service by warmly welcoming everyone. The service was conducted by the Provincial Prelate, Eminent Knight Rev. Leonard Moreton.
The carefully chosen hymns, which were not only very appropriate to the Christian Precepts of the Masonic Knights Templar Order but all very well known, were lustily sung by the congregation led by the Choir under the baton of Em. Knight. Glyn Harvey.
The lessons were read by the Provincial Prior, Rt.Em. Knight Patrick Crossan, and Sub-Prior, V.Em. Knight Chris Cradock. Revd. Ian Whitley gave a very moving address linking Christianity with the 100 years anniversary of the First World War. (link to the PDF file of his address). The Provincial Chancellor, V.Em. Knight Ian Smith, read the Precepts of the Order.
Following the service the congregation adjourned to the Church hall where the 'Ladies of the Church' had prepared a magnificent, really tasty and enjoyable buffet tea.
Click here to view a slide show of all the photos of the day. Click here to view Curate’s address.
Article and photographs by Chris Eley
