|
|---|
| Knill Steeple In 1782 John Knill, a Customs Officer, erected a mausoleum on Worvas Hill. He had intended to be buried there, as he 'abhorred the practice of burial within the body of the Church' that was prevalent at the time and the churchyard already overcrowded. However, owing to difficulties of consecration this idea had to be abandoned and upon his death at Gray's Inn Square on March 29th 1811 he was subsequently buried at St. Andrews Church, Holborn. |
||||||
Designed in 1779 by the architect John Wood, Knill Steeple is a triangular pyramid of hewn granite, 50ft high, containing within its base a cavity large enough for a single interment. Rising in courses of cut blocks of granite the pyramid is capped with metal and provided with a lightening conductor. An arch in the base gives access to the cavity but this has always been sealed up except during the memorial ceremony. A low guard wall of granite was constructed in 1829 to protect the foundations. On one face is carved the word 'Resurgam', with the Coat of Arms and Motto (Nil Desperandum) of John Knill. The second face bears the inscription 'I know that my Redeemer liveth' while the third side is inscribed 'Johannes Knill 1782'. Carried out even during the war years, this Quinquennial celebration had its 200th Anniversary in the year 2001. |
||||||
|