	1910 to 1918
	Reordering Although Mr Wilmer's attitude toward his parishioners still remained aloof, the relationship between them had, by 1911, become amicable enough to consider once more the first of the alterations to the church and by Easter 1912 the estimated cost of £750 had been raised. The work was mainly carried out by local contractors under the supervision of the Diocesan Architect, and by the September of that year they had replaced the stone floor with oak blocks and modern oak pews replaced the old 'calf coates'. The cast iron pillars supporting the galleries had been encased in oak, and between each column was a design in the form of an archway. The lighting of the church had been rearranged and a new boiler fitted, capable of heating the proposed chancel. The old font had been removed from the centre aisle near the west door, and the large pew on the north side of the door had been removed and the recess transformed into a baptistry. The work was augmented by gifts of a new pulpit, a brass lectern, reading and prayer desks, a new Bible and several silver items for the communion table. Mr Wilmer gave the vicar's seat in memory of his first wife and his parents.	The font, dedicated on the 13th July 1913, was erected mainly by contributions from those people who had been baptised in the church, and its cover was given by the Churchmen's Institute. A brass plate at the west end of the church tells us that all this was completed by the 18th September 1912. Preliminary steps were now taken to build the chancel but unfortunately the first world war delayed the project. A step in that direction was taken when the 30 year old proposal to include treble voices in the choir became a reality on Easter Sunday 1916. We are told that the boys in their new cassocks and surplices acquitted themselves remarkably well, both in their reverent demeanour and also in their singing, which was excellent in both hymns and anthems. The mixed choir of men and women still retained their places near the organ in the west gallery. Also from Easter Day 1916 the time of the evening service was changed from 6 o'clock to 6:30 pm. In November 1917 Mr Wilmer announced that he had been offered the rectory at Grafham in Huntingdonshire, and at the end of the year he and his wife took their leave. During the 33 years of his ministry he had become a father figure, many thought rather stern, as he led, drove, persuaded and cajoled his congregation into the twentieth century. Although he was as autocratic as many of his contemporaries he was sincerely concerned for the good of Norbury Church, and the welfare of its parishioners.
	Norbury Parish Church, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire. Telephone: 0161-483 6325

1910 to 1918

Reordering

Although Mr Wilmer's attitude toward his parishioners still remained aloof, the relationship between them had, by 1911, become amicable enough to consider once more the first of the alterations to the church and by Easter 1912 the estimated cost of £750 had been raised.

The work was mainly carried out by local contractors under the supervision of the Diocesan Architect, and by the September of that year they had replaced the stone floor with oak blocks and modern oak pews replaced the old 'calf coates'. The cast iron pillars supporting the galleries had been encased in oak, and between each column was a design in the form of an archway.

The lighting of the church had been rearranged and a new boiler fitted, capable of heating the proposed chancel. The old font had been removed from the centre aisle near the west door, and the large pew on the north side of the door had been removed and the recess transformed into a baptistry.

The work was augmented by gifts of a new pulpit, a brass lectern, reading and prayer desks, a new Bible and several silver items for the communion table.

Mr Wilmer gave the vicar's seat in memory of his first wife and his parents.

The font, dedicated on the 13th July 1913, was erected mainly by contributions from those people who had been baptised in the church, and its cover was given by the Churchmen's Institute.

A brass plate at the west end of the church tells us that all this was completed by the 18th September 1912.

Preliminary steps were now taken to build the chancel but unfortunately the first world war delayed the project.

A step in that direction was taken when the 30 year old proposal to include treble voices in the choir became a reality on Easter Sunday 1916. We are told that the boys in their new cassocks and surplices acquitted themselves remarkably well, both in their reverent demeanour and also in their singing, which was excellent in both hymns and anthems. The mixed choir of men and women still retained their places near the organ in the west gallery.

Also from Easter Day 1916 the time of the evening service was changed from 6 o'clock to 6:30 pm.

In November 1917 Mr Wilmer announced that he had been offered the rectory at Grafham in Huntingdonshire, and at the end of the year he and his wife took their leave.

During the 33 years of his ministry he had become a father figure, many thought rather stern, as he led, drove, persuaded and cajoled his congregation into the twentieth century. Although he was as autocratic as many of his contemporaries he was sincerely concerned for the good of Norbury Church, and the welfare of its parishioners.

1910 to 1918

Reordering

Norbury Parish Church, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire. Telephone: 0161-483 6325