Speak the Truth, Love Honesty
Etched onto a long plank of wood supporting the back panel of a pew, the words “Speak the Truth, Love Honesty” stood as a testament to the values of a certain John Mills, identified as a tin worker.
Could this be the same John Mills recorded in the 1871 census, living with his wife Sarah on Dudley Road, Rowley Regis? If so, he would have been a young man of 28 at the time of this inscription. The mention of an “Old Lady” raises intriguing questions—is this a reference to his mother, Mary, who lived with him?
Behind this plank, serving as a makeshift packing piece, lay a list of names dated April 15th, 1874.
These names belonged to the carpenters responsible for the church's previous reordering:
Simeon Buxton - "Master of the Building Department"
W.H. Webb - "Pretended Novice"
Mark Round - "Best Man"
T. Tranter
[Illegible Name] - Dubbed as 'Twit'
Unravelling the Stories Behind the Names
Simeon Buxton, born in May 1853, would have been 20 at the time of the reordering – a young age for the title of Master!
He resided on Himley Road, Lower Gornal, and went on to establish his own building business in Birmingham, as evidenced by listings in Kelly’s Commercial Directory. He passed away in 1932, leaving behind a legacy of craftsmanship and enterprise.
Mark Round, who would have been 26 at the time, lived at 9 Oxford Road with his wife Amelia. Together they had 7 children. Alongside Mr. Webb, our alleged ‘novice’, he co-founded the esteemed carpentry and building firm, Webb & Round. Their portfolio ranged from constructing classrooms at Kate’s Hill and Netherton, to coffins – and even a skittle alley. But their landmark projects was the Free Library and School of Art – more recently used as Dudley Museum and Art Gallery. This was built in 1883, and at a projected cost of £3,325 – reports of the final cost range from £5,300 to £6,700.
As for the enigmatic “Twit” and his counterparts, further research may unravel their identities and contributions to the carpentry trade and our church’s history.
Preserving Heritage, One Graffiti at a Time
In the process of reordering our church, we not only refurbish its physical structure but also revive the narratives embedded within its walls.
Each stroke of graffiti, every name etched into wood, serves as a poignant reminder of the individuals who shaped our collective heritage. Through these discoveries, we bridge the past with the present, honouring the craftsmanship and camaraderie of generations long gone.
Stay tuned as we continue to unearth the hidden gems of our church’s history, one graffiti at a time.
Click here to view the virtual tour of Dudley Museum and Art Gallery with Historic England.
Related Imagery
Click any image below to view in larger size.
Posted 04th September 2024
Part of the Mysteries & Hidden Histories category
Part of the Graffiti in the Pews Collection
Top Church Dudley (aka St Thomas and St Luke’s) is a thriving, inclusive Anglican Church. We are positioned at the top of the high street, at the highest geographical point for miles around and our heart is to serve the most vulnerable in our community and be a resource to other churches.
Our mission is for people in Dudley and beyond to experience ‘life in all its fullness’ as Jesus promised. Some churches have big bands for their worship, some have big stages for their preachers – at Top Church we hope for a bigger table, where all are welcomed in the name of Jesus.
Renewing Top Church for the People of Dudley
Top Church, St Thomas & St Luke’s, High Street, Dudley, DY1 1QD