PREFACE. THIS Handbook is intended to supply a want that has been felt amongst the inhabitants of the town, and more especially amongst the large and increasing number of visitors who take a lively interest in Churches. Brief sketches of this Church's history have been given in Yarmouth Guide-books, but these have been too meagre to satisfy the wishes of many; and, on the other hand, the valuable works that contain a very full narration of the same, as Swinden's "History of Great Yarmouth," Manship's "History of Great Yarmouth, with Continuation by C. J. Palmer, Esq., F.R.S.," and Palmer's "Perlustration of Great Yarmouth," are not only large and costly-including, as they do, a full and copious history of the town, much beyond the requirements of most visitors (the Church and its history being with them the chief point of interest)—but are now difficult to obtain, excepting, perhaps, the last named. Inquiries for a book of this character have frequently been made; and the Author has been asked by more than one person to provide it. He has made the attempt; whether successfully or not, he leaves to the judgment and kind consideration of the reader. The Author here desires to acknowledge his twofold obligation to C. J. Palmer, Esq., for valuable information granted personally and by his works; and to Sir E. Beckett for useful statistics of Cathedrals and Churches. His best thanks are due to Miss Preston for kindly allowing him to copy two original drawings of the interior of the Church, taken by her late father, John Preston, Esq., in 1847; showing its condition before the work of restoration was commenced in that year, and thereby enabling visitors who were unacquainted with the Church at that period, vividly to realize the marvellous transformation the interior has undergone, and the improvements that have been accomplished and in the minds of the elder inhabitants of the town, to quicken lively reminiscences of the past. The engraving showing the Church of the future, as it will appear when the present Vicar's grand idea has been carried out, will be interesting to all. For permission to insert this, thanks are due to the Rev. George Venables, S.C.L., Vicar of Great Yarmouth, and Rural Dean of Flegg Hundred. |
