Use of interior and changes in layout
There have been many changes to the interior of the Church. The first major change occurred when the Norman nave was added to the original Saxon Church. In the late 14th century the two bay arcade linked the rebuilt chancel to the existing chapel. In the 16th century the Chancel became a mortuary chapel, the Lady Chapel became the chancel and an enlarged opening was formed between the nave and the Lady Chapel.
The Revd. Richard Gee presided over the Parish from 1844 to 1878 and he brought with him the views of the Oxford Movement. At this time the Church of England was undergoing a spiritual revival and a return to Gothic architecture. This began with Pugin (1812-52) who believed passionately in the superiority of medieval over all other architecture. With this background the Revd. Gee converted the Mortuary Chapel back to a chancel as it had been in medieval times. Later he also had the church reseated and a stone pulpit added.
Plan view of the Church: 1870
There followed a whole series of alterations to the seating, choir and screens. The major changes occurred in 1911 when the choir was reseated and the pulpit relocated; then later in the 1930’s with further alterations to seating and additional screens. The latest changes occurred as a result of the fire in 1969; the altar was moved forward, the font relocated to the East end of the North aisle and the choir moved to the Corpus Christi Chapel.
Plan view of the Church: 1999
The church organs have been in various positions including the East end of the North aisle at the end of the 19th century. Later it was positioned in front of the East window in the Corpus Christi Chapel. With the construction of the organ bay in 1911 the organ took up position on the North wall of the chancel. Later in the 1950's, with funds raised from the Octocentenary celebrations, the organ was rebuilt, raised and electrically powered; the Sacristy was located under the organ pipes and the console was relocated to the West bay arcade behind the pulpit. Following restoration after the fire the organ is presently located infront of the West wall of the Corpus Christi Chapel.