| Although not relevant to the architecture of the church, the “living”, which since 1595 has been united with King’s Newnham, is particularly interesting. Unfortunately, the church in King’s Newnham was allowed to fall into decay during the later part of the 18th century and only a forlorn tower can now be seen in the farmyard on the hill. The Advows descended with the manor until 1919 when it was transferred to the Bishop of Coventry. The church never appropriated, consequently is it still a Rectory. During the 19th century, two very different people were born at Church Lawford Rectory. One was Frances Close, who became Dean of Carlisle. At first modelling himself on Simeon, he became a well-known Evangelical preacher, but as time went by, he became more hostile and bigoted towards the Oxford movement and everything “Popish”, Anglican or Roman. During his incumbancy at Cheltenham he opposed, in a decidedly puritanical fashion, the theatre, horse racing and “Sabbath Breaking”. The other was one of the unsung heroes of the Oxford movement, Charles Marriott, who wrote the famous hymn, “Thou whose almighty word, chaos and darkness heard.” Fellow of Oriel and disciple of Newman, he became the first Principal of Chichester Theological College and, from 1850-1855, Vicar of the University Church at Oxford.
Somewhat eccentric in dress and behaviour, he gave the best years of his too short life to the exacting work of translating and producing many volumes of the once celebrated “Library of the Fathers” in a collaboration with Pusey and Keble.
| The other very interesting feature of St. Peter’s church is the clock. The Rugby Gazette, 15th February 1873 includes an article about the “new” clock.
“THE NEW CHURCH CLOCK. - We have received the following description of the new clock by Mr. J.W. Benson, of Ludgate Hill, and Old Bond Street, London, referred to in our report of the rebuilding of the Church at this place, in our last issue.
The clock is intended to show the time on two large dials, painted black, with gilded hands and figures. It is to strike on a bell of 8cwt. Lately fixed in the tower, the tone of which can be heard at a distance of at least a mile. The clock movement is of the best kind, the wheels, bosses and sockets being of hammered brass, cut by machinery especially made for this purpose, while the pinions are of solid steel. These are also fitted onto a cast iron frame, so that the chief parts of the clock can be easily withdrawn for cleaning without disturbing the remainder of the works, or causing any long delay in their operation.The pendulum is of seasoned deal, having a bobb of 84 lbd., beating seconds and half. It has also an appliance at the botton by which it is really made a compensating pendulum, as by very slight adjustment it can be regulated and the clock arranged to keep true Greenwich meantime. The escapement is what is termed the “Dead beat,” one of the truest and most simple known. An improved kind of maintaining power made only by this firm, has been introduced into the machinery, by means of which it is kept going accurately during the time of winding. The regulating fans are of brass, and are so attached to the rack striking work as to regulate to a second the fall of the large hammer. A similar clock has been put up by Mr. Benson at Watford Church, and we feel sure that this at Church Lawford will turn out no less eminently satisfactory than that which had worked so well already.”
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