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Perkins successor was the Reverend Robert Arrowsmith, a man who was to leave his mark on both St. Mary's and Stoke St. Michael's. Being the last vicar to hold both benefices he had control over both churches. Arrowsmith, like many vicars of his time, instigated the restoration of the churches under his charge. The Victorian craze for restoring, or as some would say the desecrating, of our churches affected St. Mary's as it did possibly every church in the land. During the years of 1864 -66 the church was completely restored under the direction of G.E.Street, who is also known for his work on Holy Trinity Church in Coventry as well as many other churches throughout the land. This restoration consisted of the floor levels being raised, the walls heightened and re-roofing with a lighter and more acutely angled roof. In effect this roof almost blocked off one of the tower windows and helped to push out of line, the line of the north wall, of the north aisle, which was already leaning due to damaging subsidence. The south porch was re-built in local sand-stone, replacing the earlier 17th century brick structure. Finally the church was, once again, completely re-pewed. The cost of the three year restoration was paid for by public subscription, plus a grant of £100 from The Society for Building and Enlarging Churches. In 1880, the church once again came under the eye of the restorer. Two years later Arrowsmith left his benefice, due to ill health, and retired to Moor House Farm at Fillongley. |
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