Harwich in 1848
The Church
The ancient PARISH CHURCH, dedicated to St. Nicholas, and
founded as a chapel of ease to Dover Court. by Roger Bigod,
Earl of Norfolk about 1210, being in a dilapidated condition was
taken down in 1821, and the present magnificent fabric erected
on its site, at a cost of nearly £20,000. It is chiefly
built of white brick, but the buttresses and steeple are of stone.
It measures in length 100, and in breadth 60 feet, and the tower
contains eight good bells, and is crowned by a handsome spire.
The interior is elegantly fitted up, and has 1,500 sittings, and
a fine toned organ. In the chancel are several neat monuments --
one in memory of Sir Wm. Clarke who was killed in a
sea-fight with the Dutch in 1666, and whose body, after being
tossed about on the ocean several days, was washed into this
haven. The benifice is a perpetual curacy annexed to the
vicarage of Dover Court, as noticed. The Rev. S. N. Bull, MA.,
is the vicar; the Rev. Richd. Bull, MA., curate;
Fras. Hiblett clerk; and Miss E. Freshfield
organist. The Church Land for repairs &c., consists
of a farm of 52 acres, at Tendring, let for £80, and
purchased in 1720, for £241, derived chiefly from the sale
of a house at the Town-gate, which was left by Wm. King,
in 1627, and taken down in 1714, by the Commissioners for
fortifying the town. In the town are three dissenting meeting-houses.
The Independent Chapel belongs to a congregation which was
formed in the 17th century, and has been about 50 years under its
present minister, the Rev. W. Hordle. The Wesleyan
Chapel was built in 1827, in lieu of the old one, now belonging
to the Baptists. Schools are attached to most of the places
of worship, and here is a Mechanics' Institute, established
in 1847, and having about 130 members.
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