St Mary
Reredos – Photograph (Chaytor, 1990); Newspaper article (Western Gazette, 1889a); Faculty (SHC D\D\Cf/1889/5) E.H. Sedding designer; 1889
This was the first known piece of work carried out by Rashleigh, Pinwill & Co. and is pictured behind a group consisting of Edmund H. Sedding, Ethel Pinwill, Willam Giles the carver, Henry Flashman the joiner, and Mary and Violet Pinwill. Its location was only discovered through a report in the Western Gazette of its dedication in June 1889, in which the piece is described in great detail. It also tells us that William Giles assisted in the carving.
The reredos is extremely elaborate, with carving on every surface, and represents a very early Gothic Revival design from Sedding. It features scenes from the life of Christ: the Nativity on the left, the Last Supper on the right, and the Ascension in the centre. A faculty for the reredos, dated 1889, is held at Somerset Heritage Centre (SHC D\D\Cf/1889/5). The reredos caused quite a stir locally and it was reported a fornight after the dedication service that a number of people from neighbouring places had visited the church to see it and expressed interest and admiration (Western Gazette, 1889b).
Sources
Chaytor, E. (1990) Ermington Days. Melinga Publishing, North Cheam.
SHC D\D\Cf/1889/5 Chilthorne Domer. Faculty for Reredos 1889.
Western Gazette (1889a) Chilthorne Domer. Opening of New Reredos. 14 June p. 6.
Western Gazette (1899b) Chilthorne Domer. 28 June p. 6.