THE ARCHITECT

It is obvious that an account of a modern church like S. Wilfrid's, b Harriet, must be very different from that which one looks for in a handbook on an ancient church. But, nevertheless, the visitor will find many points of interest, especially to he noted by those who are used to hearing, and perhaps believing, that " people nowadays have lost the art of building Churches."

St Wilfrid's is a Gothic Church, in the style which is known as Early English, or thirteenth century (1150-1250) roughly). Yet it is not a mere copy of old work, but is singularly alive and original in treatment. Temple Moore, its architect, was soaked in Gothic, but he used it as his servant and not as his master. " We have here," one of the greatest authorities has said, " an application of Early English precedent by one who has thoroughly assimilated it ".

It is said of Temple Moore that his design for the village church of S. Magnus, Bessingby, near Bridlington, was refused admission to the Royal Academy exhibition on the ground that it was against the rule to admit drawings of old work. The next year he again submitted the same design, labelled " Design for New Church," and it was accepted!

Whether this be true or not, there is no doubt that his very dignified design for S. Wilfrid's is Gothic in spirit as well as letter. Temple Moore had two great gifts in particular — an unerring sense of scale and proportion, and a wonderful power to create vistas and give the impression of great space : and as a Catholic Christian, he built to the Glory of God.

Mr. Temple Moore was one of the foremost ecclesiastical architects of his day. We were singularly fortunate in securing him to design the church, and all its fittings. He was given a free hand so far as means allowed, and his genius revealed itself in the work he did so well.

In the north porch and next to the S. Barbara window in memory of his wife, is a memorial window to Mr. Temple Moore. It consists of a figure of S. Hugh of Lincoln of whom the architect was very fond. He holds a model of Lincoln Cathedral, and his own Arms and those of Moore arc on shields in the lower part of the window. It was the gift of his son-in-law, Leslie Temple Moore, who has so wonderfully carried on his father-in-law's ideals in the transept, Lady Chapel, hall and cloisters.