Midway down the centre aisle of the church, you’ll find two wooden staffs on the end of the pews. Wardens’ Staves, also known as Wardens’ Wands or Prodders, harken back to the earliest days of the Church of England when the role of the Warden went beyond the keeping of the parish books and overseeing all things operational.

These liturgical items reflect a time when a sceptre or staff was carried to demonstrate a person’s importance and reinforce standing. But the staff also had practical purposes, including the Wardens’ now “near-obsolete” duty of keeping the peace and commanding good behaviour and decorum in the church and churchyard. Early duties of a Church Warden involved putting a stop to rowdiness and in some cases, fining and apprehending churchgoers who were being boisterous, riotous, or indecent. On the other extreme, the Warden’s staff was also used to lightly tap parishioners to wake them during services.

Though still used ceremonially in a few Anglican churches or carried by the Wardens during processions at Easter or Christmas, the staffs are rarely removed from their places anymore, although at All Saints’, the Wardens have been known to carry their staffs when a new Warden is elected or appointed.

Take some time in the coming weeks to explore our church for the “Wardens’ Staffs.” See if you can determine which is the Rector’s Warden and which the People’s Warden. But be warned. If you gaze too long, if your eyes droop during a longish reading, or if you get a little rowdy during the peace, you might prompt a Warden to take up his or her historic duties … and a staff.          

~Bertie Weatherbottom, Notes & Queries Reporter for the 150th

In 1872 the fire power of the Merryweather steam-pump fire engine was confirmed by having it shoot water over the All Saints’ steeple.

Find out more about the Merryweather.

 

In June of 1865, construction of All Saints’ building began. The design was the work of architectural firm, Gundry and Langley. Masonry and carpentry contracts were awarded to local contractors Thomas Deverill and William Barnes, respectively. Both builders have extensive history in Whitby.

Notably William Barnes’ son, Robert, was contracted to restore the church after the August 1927 fire. A window on the west wall nearest to the narthex doors is dedicated to the father and son.

Anecdotal evidence indicates there must have been a ceremonial laying of the cornerstone in 1865. Notes about the Barnes window by former All Saints’ archivist Tom Grey tell us “William Barnes built the viewing stand for the laying of the Corner Stone on June 29th. 1865,” and the 1865 Financial Statements of the Building Committee (see above) record a $24.50 incidental expense for “laying Corner Stone.”

In times past, the cornerstone was the principal stone placed at the corner of an edifice. It was usually one of the largest, the most solid, and the most carefully placed. It was critical that the cornerstone be level and squared true so that all the other stones could be set from it.

While we can no longer see the cornerstone of our church building, we can be assured that it is there and that the foundation of our church has been true and solid for many generations, and will be for many more generations to come. And so, we give thanks for the builders of this church, past and present.