2-913-692 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Procession to the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the New Church of St. Thomas, Newport, Isle of Wight, 1854. 'The Masonic fraternity...came forward in strength to assist at the proceedings - upwards of 400 marching in procession...Flags and banners, bearing various devices, and endless garlands and bouquets of flowers, covered tbe fronts of the houses in the principal streets forming the line of the procession. Triumphal arches, of stately proportions, and really creditable in point of tasteful design and arrangement, were placed across the thoroughfares at stated points... just outside the gate of the church stood what was termed the Clerical Arch, exhibiting the arms of the See of Winchester...the architect selected being Mr. S. W. Dawkins, of Whitehall-place. London; and the builders, Messrs. Dashwood, of Ryde. The new building will be of the Florid style...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.