The Time Line of Lacey Green Church to 2025

THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST, LACEY GREEN, LOOSLEY ROW AND SPEEN.

HISTORY TIMELINE 1825 – 2025, FOR THE 200th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Acknowledgements:-

Prof. Michael Eastham – A History of the parish Church of St. John the Evangelist (Revised 1994)

Joan West – A Chiltern Village School against all odds (2000).  Laceygreenhistory.com

Members of the Village History Group. www.laceygreen/history

PRE !825

Page 1. 1821  

Local wealthy landowners lobbeyed in Parliament for the Enclosure of the area.  They stated that if the Act was passed, “ A Chapel will be erected at Lacey Green”

The Revd. Richard Meade, Rector of Horsenden and Perpetual Curate of Princes Risborough, stated that “Much good may probably be done for the spiritual improvement of that almost heathen district.”

1823  

Enclosures Commissioners made an allotment of land on which to build a Chapel and graveyard.  The cost was to be effected by the benefaction of the nobility and gentry (see Armorial window). A public appeal raised £2.200, £500 was received from Queen Ann’s Bounty, £200 from Revd. Meade and £460 from the Society for Promoting the Enlargement and Building of Churches and Chapels.

For more details see Church Guide Book pages 1-3. description of the church building p 3 – 5.

1823  21st March

Tender to build the church was accepted by the Trustees at a Meeting at the Red Lion in High Wycombe.  Builder Richard Jordan of Amersham.  Trustees – Sir Scrope Bernard-Morland, John Grubb Esq., Rev. Isaac King, Sir William Young.

May 1823 – May 1825

Building erected as a Chapel of Ease to St. Mary’s Church, Princes Risborough started on May 1st. finished 25th May 1825  Architect J. Chadley

1825

July 3rd.  a.m. Building consecrated by Hon. George Pelham, Lord Bishop of Lincoln.

July 3rd.  evening.  Preacher Revd. Richard Lendon, Prebendary of St. Paul’s Cathedral.  19 babies and young children baptised.

1825 – 1826

Richard Meade appointed Perpetual Curate.  The curacy continued to be in the gift of the Perpetual Curate of Princes Risborough.

1825 – 1827

Churchwarden – Joshua Dell.

[POST ENCLOSURES

Major landowners increased the size of their farms, small farmers were given land near their houses.  Cottagers with no land could no longer use the common land.  They did not take this kindly.]

Page 2

1826 – 1850

1826 – 1840  Charles William Hughes (Corpus Christi College Cambridge) appointed Perpetual Curate.

1828 Churchwarden – Thomas Hawes

1829 Churchwarden – Edward Anderson

1830 – 1831. Churchwarden – James Grace

1832 – 1833 Churchwardens – James Grace, Richard Avery

[1833. Slavery Abolition Act]

1834. Churchwardens – William Barrett, Thomas Randal

1835. Churchwardens – William Barrett, Thomas Bristowe

1836 Churchwardens – William Barett, Edward Anderson

Page 3

1837 – 1838. Churchwarden – William Barrett

1839 – 1840. Churchwarden – William Barrett, Charles Brown

1842. Churchwarden – William Barrett

1844 29th February. Appointment of Rev. Charles Lendon M.A. (Trinity College Cambridge), as Curate of Lacey Green.

1844 2nd. August. Death of Rev. Richard Meade, aged 61.  N.B. a family tree from Lipscombe’s book below shows that the Meades were related to the Stone Family of Grimsdyke

1845. Entire County of Buckinghamshire transferred from the Diocese of Lincoln to the newly extended Diocese of Oxford.

1847. George Lipscomb’s History of the County of Buckinghamshire shows the population of the Upper Hamlets to have been:-

Loosley Row 68 houses 164 males 169 females Total 333 inhabitants

Lacey Green 66 houses 141 males 146 females Total 287 inhabitants

Speen 63 houses 162 males 157 females Total 319 inhabitants

1848 – 1880. Revd. William T. Burgess appointed Vicar.  See page 4.

1850. Vicarage erected, (then known as the Parsonage).  Stated to be a large handsome house in Elizabethan style, surrounded by 2 acres of pleasure gardens.

Page 4

1851 – 1875

1848 – 1880. Incumbent William T. Burgess.  He and his wife Mary Ann had 8 children.  They lived at Loosley House while the Vicarage was being built.  In 1881, William became Rector of Stretton Sugwas

1851 August 1st.. Parish formed out of part of the Princes Risborough Parish.  Continued to be known as a Parochial Chapel until 1868.

It was at this time that the new Parsonage was built with money from Queen Ann’s Bounty

[1853 – 1856. Crimean War]

1862. Revd. Burgess became one of the first trustees of the Emma Grace Foundation, which endowed Loosley Row and Speen Schools.

1868. St John’s officially became a church, by direction of the Bishop of Oxford.  Title of the Minister was changed from Perpetual Curate to Vicar.

1871. A chancel was added to the church.  Architect J. P. Seddon (who had architected the new vicarage).  This involved the removal of several galleries which were considered to be obstructing the architectural proportions of the church.  Mr Seddon was well known for the rather “busy” patterning of his brickwork, and for the highly decorative paintwork (in Victorian- Tudor style), such as used for the ceiling of his polygonal chancel.  His steep chancel arch seems to have caused the bricklayers some trouble.  We learn from church records that, at the first attempt, the whole structure collapsed with a terrifying rumble in the night.

Page 5

1874. The present school commenced.  It was built on land conveyed by Charles Brown of Stocken Farm to the Vicar and Churchwardens of Lacey Green Chapel.  There had previously been a schoolteacher (?Mary Ann Floyd), which suggests that a schoolroom must have been somewhere in Lacey Green.  The site of this has never been verified.  It may have been on the right of the lane leading down to Floyd’s Farm.

The first children admitted to the school were said to be fair in reading and spelling, but quite deficient in writing, arithmetic, tables, scriptures and Catechism.  “Lace girls” were allowed to be off school to complete work.  Boys were often away in the summer, helping with the harvest.

1875. 15th April - Miss Burrows took over the School.  The infants were encouraged to go to Speen or Loosley Row Schools, and the older children to Lacey Green.

Page 6. 1876 – 1900

1876. Sarah Burman became a teacher at the School.

1878. Inspector’s Report stated that the Arithmetic at the School was “Good for Nothing”.

1880. The Misses Burgess (Vicar’s daughters), came to school to hear the children sing.  One of them donated and played the Samuel Green organ in the gallery at church, now known as the Upper Room.  During this year, Revd. Burgess died.  His children had the stained glass windows showing the “Call of St Peter” installed over the altar.  A great deal is known about the organ, which is an important instrument and is covered in another publication.  However, it is not known where it was originally situated.  Maybe Hampden House.

The 1880 Elementary Education Act (The Mundella Act), obliged local authorities to make byelaws requiring school attendance.

1881. Oct 18th.  Diocesan Inspection stated that “The lower division is somewhat slow in responding, although able to repeat Hymns and private prayers.  Standard 4 very good.”.

1882. Annie Elizabeth Newberry commenced teaching duties.

1883. Report stated that the School was steadily advancing

1887. School reports.  Complaints made about the irregularity of attendance.  Great improvement in Religious knowledge..

1880 – 1898. Vicar – William Kelly

Page 7

1889. Mr Worthing began as teacher, but lasted less than a year.  Infants classroom only 12 square feet.  Plans for enlargement of school needed.  Mr and Mrs Henton began teaching duties.  Inspectors reported that that school had improved most creditably under Mr and Mrs Henton

1890. Infants classroom enlarged to accommodate 30 children.  Mr Forrest (from Grimsdyke) was paying for a number of children.  There were more than 85 children in the school.  1st. May – children given a holiday to go round with their May Garlands.  Frequent absentees reported to the School Attendance Committee.  

27th July – children given a holiday to attend Flower Show and Cricket Match.  At this event 3 men were killed by lightening.

1892. Miss Mason inspected the orphan children who are “Boarded out” in the village.  Master resigned – replaced by W. H. Hallewell and Mrs. Hallewell, who left in 1894.   Report that more water closets were needed and should be cleaned more regularly.

1894. There were 14 scholars at the evening Continuation School.

1895. Mr and Mrs Alfred Brown took over school.  Staff were now, Mr and Mrs Brown, a Pupil teacher and a Monitress.

1897. Children marched to church for Ash Wednesday service.  April – Building work means children are all in one classroom.  Not even room to move about.

1898. Revd and Mrs Robson and Revd. Bousefield visited  school.  Drought.  Children had to fetch water from Saunderton or Holly Bush Farm.

N.B.. Throughout all this period, children were often absent from school due to snow or bad weather.  They were also absent for the harvest, picking dandelions, picking up acorns and fetching dead wood.  There were also many outbreaks of childhood diseases, and cases of TB.  Many holidays had to be given for Chapel teas.

(By 1900, virtually all the woodland in the village had been felled for chairmaking]

Page 8

1901 - 1925

1898 – 1922. Vicar William Robson.  In 1895 Revd. Robson formed the Church Boys Brigade. He was Trustee and Manager of St. John’s School.  

Miles Marshall ( local historian) reported that his story was a sad one.  He had an accident.  It is said that he was thrown off a tram.  This led to him loosing his voice, so that the congregation could not understand him when he preached.  The children called him “Old Tin Ribs” (he was long and thin).  He acquired a considerable amount of property around Lacey Green, including an area in Church Lane (Hambye Close) on which was built an indoor tennis court for his wife.  Nevertheless, his wife left him to return to Cheltenham, and his congregation dwindled away to almost nothing.  

He was looked after by Miss Nancy Hawes, the church organist, and a pupil teacher at the school.  In the 1911 census he was living in Lacey Green with 2 servants.  In 1922 he moved to Cheltenham.

Late 1800s. No list has been found of Churchwardens, but it is known that among the were Peter Tyler Floyd and Eldred Tilbury.

1902. Mr Brown left.  A.E. (Nancy) Hawes could not be recognised as a teacher until she had more experience.  Nancy continued at the school for many years, and was a great favourite with the children.

Page 9

1903. William Roebuck took over at the school, to be replaced by Albert Phillips and Miss Edith Crook (with no experience in teaching) in 1904.  Miss Mabel Janes started teaching on Oct 24th.  She continued at the school until around 1950.  She was strict, but a good teacher.  The children called her “pouty”.  In 1906 she attended a course in Aylesbury.  The Master had to teach a class of 86.  

1905 11th. Oct – dedication of East Window to former Vicar, William Johnston Burgess.  It depicts “The charge of our Lord to St. Peter (John 21, verse 15)”.

In this year also the South stained glass widow, depicting Faith and Charity was erected to the memory of Mrs Evelyn Forrest of Grimsdyke.  She had tried to help those villagers who were impoverished by decline in the lace trade.  (See work of Rosemary Mortham). On Empire Day the children attended church.  This practice continued until the 1950s.. Mr Adkins from the “Band of Hope”, gave a talk about alcoholism.

1906. Boys cricket team was doing well.  Had to walk to surrounding villages to play matches.  Football team also formed.

1908. School Master resigned.  Replaced by George Wiltshire in 1909.

1909. Eye testing in school began.  In 1910 they were all weighed and measured.  Physicals exercises were begun in school.

1910. Total pupils 94.  At long last, school reports were good  “Subjects have been well taught and the work reaches a high standard”.

1912. H.C. Avery began duties at the school.  He was liked by the children, and kept in touch by postcards and visits, when he was sent to fight in the First World War.  Replaced in 1914 by Fanny Palmer.

Page 10. 1914 1918 [The Great War (First World War).  Many men from Lacy Green enlisted, and there was a great loss of life.]

1915. School boys began a garden for the War Effort.  This was on the church side of Main Road, within the loop of Church Lane.

1917. Miss Janes passed her Teacher’s Examination.  Salary rose from £9 per year (which it had been for 18 years to £12 per year.  Many children in school found to be verminous.  Infants classroom taken over by the military, guarding an aeroplane which had come down in the field next to the school in a snowstorm.

1918 Nov 19th – Armistice Day.  Children v. excited. No holiday given, but there was a procession through the village, with boys dressed as soldiers and girls as nurses. School was closed due to a major flu epidemic which occurred after the war

1919. Winter weather very severe.  Ink frozen in ink wells. Kathleen Brown from the Crown passed the Scholarship to High Wycombe Grammar School – the first pupil ever to do so. Fanny Palmer resigned, as Mr Avery was returning. Children were practising Country Dancing, and had their photo taken. (See Joan West’s book)

1920. Brass memorial plaque in memory of those who died in the 1st. World War was erected to the right of the lectern.  Money raised by Voluntary Subscription.

Headmaster Mr Avery resigned.  Kate Floyd Gray took over.  The staff now consisted of Miss Kate Gray, Miss Mabel Janes, Miss Ann (Nancy) Hawes.

1924. Afternoon W. I. founded – one of the first in the country

Page 11. 1926 - 1950

1922 – 1929. Revd. Richard Gee became Vicar.  Previously, he had been a Missionary in India.  He used to let the school children try on the costumes which he had brought back.  As a child at school, Douglas Brett remembers that his mother became first the gardener and later a Housekeeper at the Vicarage.  The vicar’s wife persuaded her to send her older son to Dr. Barnardos’, but when they wanted to send him to Australia, she refused to send him back.

1927. South Transept fitted out as a side chapel.  The Royal Arms of George 4th were moved from the East to the West wall of the transept.

1929 - 1934. Oscar C. Morton became Vicar

1930. Upgrade of heating system involving raising the height of the chimney, cutting through the North Wall, creating a new entrance to the Heating Chamber, and sealing the existing trap door.

1934. Private gift - Donation of Priest’s Vestry.

[1934. Piped water arrived in Lacey Green.]

1934 – 1939. Revd. Richard T. Sharp became Vicar

1935. Installation of new altar rails to replace the existing “pitch and pine “ rails, in memory of Richard Gee.

1936. Mrs Gurney began as Headmistress at the school.

1937. Gift of statue of the Madonna and child after (Murillo) for the Lady Chapel.  Cost £9. (Objection raised, but later withdrawn).

Page 13

1937. Teak crucifix erected at the entrance to the New Graveyard.  Funds by public subscription.

Conveyance of additional land for extra burial ground.  Gifted by the Vicar and |Governors of Queen Ann’s Bounty, Harold E Carter of Grimsdyke and Barclays Bank for the Ecclesiastical Commisioners.

1939 – 1958. Revd John Eric Steward became Vicar.  He lived in the Vicarage with his housekeeper, Miss Varney (a distant relative).  Revd. Steward had been a Missionary in Africa.  He took with him his iron framed piano, and on his return donated it to the church.  It Is believed that he also gave the figures in the Christmas Crib.  He was a popular vicar except amongst those whose land was taken to build new council houses at Greenlands, which he had backed.

[1939 – 1945. 2nd World War]

1948. Gift of silver candlesticks to commemorate the devoted services of Miss Nancy Hawes, who had played the organ since 1902.  At the beginning of her time, it had been hand pumped by the choirboys.  She would show them when to pump by dropping her handkerchief.

?Date. Florence Gurney became Head Teacher.  She and her husband were the last to live in the Schoolhouse in Pink Road.  This was built with money obtained from the sale of Loosley Row School.  There were less than 50 pupils in the school, and “Flo” taught them all except the Infants in one room (Miss Janes having recently retired).  She had a very short temper.  Perhaps that was not surprising,

1950. Gift of £500 to restore and improve the organ.  Work by Kiftsgate Davison, now considered to have been unfortunate.. Teak doors added to the West porch – local donation.  Since refinished by Gordon Gray

Page 14. 1951 - 1975

1952. Wooden panels installed for choir vestry to replace shabby curtains.  Gift of Andrew Oliver who was unable to achieve a faculty to have them soundproofed.

1950s.. Mrs Gurney retired.  She was the last to occupy the School House.  Replaced by Mr Douglas Anthony. ?1970.  Then came David Green and then Gaynor Newbold.

1956. Oak gates installed at entrance to churchyard in memory of Fred Martin – Churchwarden.  Voluntary subscriptions raise £60.

1958 – 1961. Stanley Keene Vicar.

1965 – 1971. Mr M. Knott and Mr. S. Gomme – Churchwardens. Mr Knott and the Vicar discovered a James 1st. chalice of 1615, of which there was no record.  Hester Clark Jewellers valued this at £600 and it was deposited in the bank for safe keeping.

1968. The PCC agreed to sell the church organ, which was an embarrassment.  After extensive advertising there were no potential buyers.

1970ish. New part of school built at the rear of the old building.  Wests farm gave land to extend the playground.

1970. New lights installed made by the Foundry.

[1970. First Hallmark published]

1972. Mr David Chalkley and Mr Sam Gomme – Churchwardens.

1973 – 1975. Mr. Chalkley and Mr. Douglas Tilbury - Churchwardens

Page 15

1975. 150 th. Anniversary.  Processional Cross donated by Andrew Oliver.  Also altar frontal by Doris Oliver and lace for altar cloth by Rosemary Oliver.

1961 – 1981. Bernard P. Houghton Vicar.

Approx 1970. Douglas Anthony became Head Master.  He was keen on Music and Sport.

1975. 150th. Anniversary.. Outer porch door installed.  Money raised by public appeal £586.. Gift of Processional Cross by Andrew Oliver altar frontal by Doris Oliver and hand made lace altar cloth by Rosemary Oliver

1976. Mr Chalkley and Mrs. Mary Mines – Churchwardens

1977. Churchwardens – Mary Mines and Douglas Tilbury.

1980. Replastering of large area of the North wall – a gift from Mr. G. N. Mobbs.. Retiling roof – a gift from Mrs. Waite in memory of her husband.

Page 16. 1976 - 2000

1981 – 1983. Interregnum.  Peter Viney acted as non stipendiary priest.

Page 17

1983 – 1990. Raymond Maynard Vicar. He lodged most of the record books in the County Records Office in Aylesbury.  Date unknown.  Soon after he arrived he was observed by Douglas Tilbury burning a large amount of church records, (including photos of all previous Vicars), in the Vicarage Garden

Documents lodged in the Records Office at Aylesbury in 1983 are :-

1. Register of Baptisms July 1825 – June 1892

2.       “        “       “ June 1892 – May 1977

3.     “        “   Marriages Aug 1851 – Sept. 1972

4.     “         “ Burials Oct 1825 – June 1982

5.     “         2 Banns Aug 1851 – July 1938

?1983

Mrs Gaynor Newbold – Head Teacher.

1985 (approx.). New pews installed in light oak, and old deal pews scrapped.  Subsequently the new pews, which had come from a school chapel were found to be very uncomfortable.  Vestry walls, choir stalls, pulpit and other wooden parts of the church were stripped and refinished in a lighter colour.

1989. Additional parish records lodged at Bucks Records Office by Raymond Maynard (Services 1854 – 1878 3 volumes).  

1990 – 1995. Peter R. L. Hale Vicar.

1992. 200th. Anniversary of the organ marked with a musical play, “In Tuneful Accord” by Elizabeth Hale.

1993. New flooring fitted.  Initials of donor marked on floor near pew ends.  

Page 18

1994. Gallery was turned into “The Upper Room”.  Designed by Mabbitts of Essex, and dedicated on July 3rd. (the Church’s Anniversary.

Approx 1999. Steve Coleman – Headmaster.  The school was thriving and became very popular with parents.

1995 – 2002. Richard D. S. Cainke Vicar.

1999. Sound System installed in church.  Donation by Ray Smith.

2000. School Reunion and new garden made.  Both opened by Connie Baker – oldest village resident and an old pupil of the school.  Church service at midnight to mark the occasion.  New Village Hall also constructed.  Money from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Page 19. 2001 – 2025

Early 2000s. Paul de Wolf – Headteacher.  After him came Mrs Grimsey, who died of cancer.

2002 – 2013. Denise Critchell Vicar.

2002. 2nd World War Memorial plaque installed with the repositioned 1st. World War Memorial on the North Wall.

2013 to date. Canon Tony Bundock – House for Duty.. During this period, Mr Newton became Head Teacher.

School became an Academy ? Date

2022. Clavinova available for more modern music such as that usd in the All Age Worship service (first Sunday of each month).

2023, Organ restored by James Richardson Jones.  Paid from the Organ Fund collected by the church Choir over many years, and from individual donations.  

2024. Mrs Rebekah Wright –Head Teacher

Page 20

This is the story, not just of the church and the school, but of the many people who have loved and cared for them over the years.

We thank God for them.

N.B. There is more to be added to this, but I should be grateful if you could read this at your leisure and let me know of anything which you would like to be added.  It might eventually form the basis of a new guidebook, which could be sold for church funds.