1836 to 1844
The First Marriage
Looking at the Treasurer's accounts for 1837 we see, among other items, that he expended £3-5s-0d on a licence for the solemnization of marriages. This long lapse of time before a wedding took place at Norbury was due to an old Marriage Act, which did not cater for chapelries built under the New Churches Act of 1818.
That act was repealed in 1836 so, with the church duly licenced, Mr Worsley could make the first entry in the Marriage Register on 18th December 1837. The happy couple were James Ardean, a bachelor living in Norbury, who was a labourer by trade and Alice Hutter, a spinster, also of Norbury, who was a servant. Their ages are not recorded, we know only that he was 'of age' and that she was a minor.
Peel Parish
On the 10th of January 1843 the London Gazette announced that her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria had signed an Order in Council at Windsor, assigning a District to the Chapel of St. Thomas Norbury, and that all fees arising therefrom should be received and belong to the minister thereof. The district consisted of the whole of the township of Norbury. These districts with the associated church or chapel became known as Peel parishes after the famous statesman who had created them.
Stained Glass
The vaguely worded plaque on the west gallery in Norbury Church was placed there at this time. It does not record the change to parish status but refers quaintly to 'beautification.' This was probably the installation of the stained glass in the east window, illustrating the three principal incidents in the New Testament, the crucifixion, the resurrection and the ascension.
The First Confirmation
On Tuesday the 6th of May 1844, the church held its first confirmation service, when 340 young people from Norbury and the adjacent townships were presented to the Bishop of Chester. (11) These young Christians made their declaration of faith and entered the communicant life of the church with the prayerful blessing of their bishop.
(11) Bishop Sumner
