Journal of Isle of Wight, 1792

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

273–274

text excerpt

On the 3rd August 1792 the first stone of the new church, called All Saints, was laid. We saw it from a stand erected in the High Street just opposite, and the windows of every house were filled with company to see the procession of mayor and aldermen, attended to and from the other church by a vast concourse of people. A very fine sermon was there preach’d by Mr. Scott, and an anthem sung. When divine service was over, about half-past one, they all proceeded to the spot where the inscription, on a glass plate, was read with an audible voice by the town-clerk, signifying “that the first stone of All Saints Church was laid on the 3rd of August 1792 by Mr. Donellen, Grand Freemason” (this gentleman is son to George II, and very like the present royal family). They call’d for silence when he read it, and it was then placed by him between two stones, and let down by pullies; then a prayer was said by Mr. Scott, and the most profound silence was preserv’d till the amen was resounded by the multitude; then three times three, after which the celebrated Mr. Bird sang “Rule Britannia;” and, after he had done, three times three again, when all dispersed, and the gentlemen retired to a grand entertainment. 

excerpt from 'Journal of Isle of Wight, 1792' pp. 273–274 (228 words)

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