The History of St Giles
Pugin believed that, after stained glass, encaustic tiles were amongst the most important forms of decorative art. By the winter of 1843 Pugin was able to tell Lord Shrewsbury that the tiles for Cheadle were proceeding well and that they would have "the finest floor in Europe"
The date for the consecration of St. Giles was fixed originally for September 1845 but with the various alterations this proved to be optimistic. Pugin noted that the spire was topped on 27th June 1845, but the bells did not arrive until January 1846. The inscriptions on them, in Gothic lettering, include invocations of Our Lady, St. Giles', St. Chad and St. Francis. The consecration of the church was postponed for twelve months, but by March 1846 Pugin could not guarantee even that, unless Lord Shrewsbury would allow him to keep a full work-force including joiners and painters. Of particular concern were the great crucifix and carved figures for the Rood, which were being made by George Myers at Lambeth. The loss of the sculptor Thomas Roddis, who died in October 1845, was another sad bow, for although Roddis had completed his works at St. Giles' by this time, his contribution to the building was substantial and of superb quality. |
The tiles for the chancel and the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament were both rich and expensive. Lord Shrewsbury was concerned that they would be damaged by being constantly walked upon, so he suggested putting down carpets, which in Pugin's view defeated the object of having patterned tiles in the first place. The clerk-of-works, John Denny, came with with a solution: the priest and his assistants would be required to wear special overshoes made of cloth. Lord Shrewsbury warmed to the idea, and told Pugin: "You may have your tiles and we shall want no carpet"
