The Diary of Nathaniel Bryceson (Part 7)

[Ruskie]

St James is a Wren church (damaged in WW2  and rebuilt). Lots of images and information about it on google.

There is mention of the demolished rectory here:
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=40650

I'm a bit confused - these images show an illustration of the rectory in 1839 and a photo from 1960.  What was demolished?

[drykid]

Isn't the rectory the building on the right in the original etching?  (Although I'd describe the windows as "rounded" rather than "round" as Nat says.)  In the 1960 photo there's a more modern, taller building in its place.

Although it's interesting that Nat confirms the demolition as seven years later than the official record has it, which shows how diaries can be useful for providing historical info as well as just social background.

[steve_gus]

Perhaps something was built and then demolished again 7 years later

The walk looks very interesting, but although I come from London I actually live 70 miles away and will be working on that day. Pity, as I have been developing walking 'skills' recently. My son has taken to rambling over the many fields we have behind our house, where you can easily do a 13 mile walk over footpaths and old abandoned railways and a quarry which form part of a pocket park in the adjacent town. I have walked with him twice, and have done over 10 miles. It got easier the second time

Steve

[Mongibello]

I hope to be there on Tuesday.

[Siamese Girl]

I honestly wouldn't manage more than a couple of miles before having to call on paramedics!

Carole

[Ruskie]

Isn't the rectory the building on the right in the original etching?  (Although I'd describe the windows as "rounded" rather than "round" as Nat says.)  In the 1960 photo there's a more modern, taller building in its place.

Although it's interesting that Nat confirms the demolition as seven years later than the official record has it, which shows how diaries can be useful for providing historical info as well as just social background.

There's the building that looks like a square tower which appears to have (3 floors of) round windows. But I don't know that this looks like a rectory? It also appears in the 1960 photo which doesn't make sense. There is the lower long building in the illustration but is that the vestry hall? Perhaps the rectory was rebuilt in the same style as the demolished building if Wren designed it?

[Ruskie]

I'm glad you're going to try to make it for the walk Mongibello.

Carole and Steve ... excuses, excuses ... 
 

[drykid]

There's the building that looks like a square tower which appears to have (3 floors of) round windows. But I don't know that this looks like a rectory? It also appears in the 1960 photo which doesn't make sense. There is the lower long building in the illustration but is that the vestry hall?

The lower long one is the one I meant, yeah, but I'm just speculating.  To be honest I have no idea what a rectory should look like anyway, so if someone who does says that that isn't one then I'm happy to go along with that

It's also interesting to compare the church itself in the etching and photo, and note how its appearance has been fairly drastically altered over time by having the top of its tower removed so that these days it's level with the roof of the rest of the church.

[Ruskie]

It's also interesting to compare the church itself in the etching and photo, and note how its appearance has been fairly drastically altered over time by having the top of its tower removed so that these days it's level with the roof of the rest of the church.

It was damaged in the war so maybe some are unplanned changes. 

A rectory is simply a rector's residence. I wouldn't imagine this would be too grand (Steven?) though I suppose anything designed by Wren would be a cut above.  I wonder if the rectory is on such a small scale that it isn't obvious in the illustration or photograph though obviously important enough to get a mention? 

Nathaniel didn't give a reason but I'd be interested to find out why it was demolished.