[Fom Manx Soc vol 29]  

MAUGHOLD.

The parish church is dedicated to St. Maughold, and is 72 feet long and 17 feet broad. The present church is very ancient, particularly the chancel. The stone font is very large, intended for the total immersion of the infant.

The churchyard is the largest in the island, and occupies a space of four acres or thereabouts.

The register begins in 1647. In the notices of burials is that of " Edmond Christian, who was sometime captain at sea, and afterwards, for a time, governor of the Isle of Man ; he departed this life in Peele Castle, being a prisoner there for some words spoken concerning the king, when the great difference was betwixt the king and parliament. He was committed by James, Earl of Derby, being then in this isle, and John Greenhalgh, governor. He was buried, January 22, 1660, in Kirk Maughold church, where he was baptized." The living is in the gift of the Crown.

The clerk of the parish has 29 acres of glebe.

By a recent decision the vicar is entitled to the minerals in the glebe. A good deal of iron was raised between thirty and forty years ago ; the mines are not working at present. A good vicarage-house.

ST. CATHERINE-BALURE, PARISH OF MAUGHOLD.

This chapel was restored about 1850 by subscription, and dedicated to St. Catherine.

Patron, the vicar.

The former chapel was erected on the site of a previous one, about 1706, to which Bishop Wilson contributed. Having fallen into ruin, it was again restored by the exertions of the Rev. William Kermode, present rector of Ballaugh, and other subscribers.

A chapel has existed on this spot from a very early date ; Bishop Parr rebuilt it about 1640. In the " Book of Causes, anno dom. 1640," is the following remark:- ,

"That ye inhabitants of Ramsey and ye neighbours about ye chappel of Ballure may give to God his due worship and service; we have for that purpose sovorne two chappell wardens, Henry Chrystian and Ffard Ffoxe, whose office is to have speciall care of God's public worship, pesentinge, by virtue of their oath, all such inhabitants of Ramsey and other neighbours about ye chappell as shall absent yemselves with-out iust cause. Where wee will and require yem to serve God, except it be at solemne feasts and comunion days, at wch tymes wee will yem to goe to ye mother church, but att all other tymes daily to com to ye chapell, made wth great cost soe readie to yeir hands. These are further to require all such who are thus bound to repaire to ye chappell for ye exercise of true religion and to beg God's blessinges, with cheerfulnes to pay ye reader's wages, for wch they may expect double blessinge from God, to whose blessed pty and mercie in Christ I leave you all, and rest RI. SOD.

"Bps. Court, Ffeb. ye 15th, 1640."

From the same " Book of Causes " in 1712, it was ordered that fit persons be appointed to assess the inhabitants of Ramsey and " Trin of Ballure," to keep the said chapel in re-pair. Captain Wattleworth and William Christian were appointed for this purpose, 6th June 1712.

The "Trin of Ballure " comprised, according to the "Setting Quest Books," the adjoining quarterlands of Ballure, Balla-stowell, Ballacowle, and Clenaige.

1706. The Chapel of Ramsey rebuilt, to which I gave £5. -Bishop Wilson's Memorandum Book.

It was consecrated by Bishop Wilson in 1747.

ST. PAUL'S-RAMSEY, PARISH OF MAUGHOLD.

This chapel, dedicated to St. Paul, was consecrated 18th August 1822.

Patron, the Bishop.

The church was erected by subscription, with a grant of £300 from the Incorporated Society for the Enlargement of Churches. It was enlarged in 1844.

There is neither glebe nor endowment; the income is derived from pew rents.

Bishop Parr, who was consecrated A.D. 1635, rebuilt Ramsey church in 1639-40.-vide Extract from the " Book of Causes," A.D. 1640. This is the oldest account we have.

A.D. 1843, October 9. A silver cup was presented by Bishop Short for the communion service.

A.D. 1846, Christmas. "A thank-offering." A silver flagon presented by the Rev. William Kermode, chaplain, for the service of God at the communion.

A.D. 1849, March 26. Licensed for the solemnisation of marriages.

A.D. 1859. A new parsonage-house was erected by subscription, etc., at a total cost of £730.

ST. OLAVE'S-RAMSEY.

This chapel is dedicated to St. Olave. Patron, the vicar.

CHRIST'S CHURCH, DHOON

PARISH OF MAUGHOLD.

This chapel, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was conse-crated 24th December 1855.

Patron, the vicar.

A chaplain's house and garden.