Page 63 - Redditch People

Redditch People

Friday 23rd May 1828, George Frederick Fessey gained a Bachelor of Arts at Lincoln
College Oxford.

At an ordination by the Lord Bishop of Worcester St Thomas’s Day in December 1831,
George Frederick Fessey, B.A. of Trinity College, Oxford became a Deacon. Then in the
following year he was ordained as Priest.

By 1841 Rev. George F. Fessey B.A. was now curate of Tardebigge and had been for
seven years, was nominated to be the Perpetual Curate of Redditch and his Patron was
the Right Hon. and Rev. Lord Aston, Vicar of Tardebigge. He preached his first sermon
at the ‘Chapel on the Green,’ Redditch, on Christmas Day 1841.

In 1852 the Rev. G. F. Fessey and other gentlemen of the town were busy raising money
for the building of a new Church as the old chapel had become too small for the
congregation.

The old chapel held its last service in 1853 and then it was dismantled and the
parishioners had to go to the National School room for services. The foundation stone of
the new Church was laid by Lady Harriet Clive principal benefactress of the new church
of St Stephen’s, October 31st 1853.

St Stephen’s Church was consecrated and the ceremony of consecration was performed
by the Bishop of Worcester and the Rev.G. F. Fessey read the lesson. The church could
hold about 1,500 persons which included 500 free seats and the cost of the church was
about £9,000. The cost was by subscription and the Lady Harriet Clive had donated very
generously. The spire was still to be built.

In 1876 the consecration of a new church, St George’s, was opened by the Lord Bishop
of Worcester at Redditch. It was a chapel of Ease to the Parish Church of St Stephen’s
and classed as an enduring and fitting monument to the beneficent activity of the much
esteemed vicar the Rev. G. F. Fessey, who had experienced the satisfaction of witnessing
the completition of two churches within the district under his charge. He had been and
ardent and generous promoter of the building of the new church and several of the
principal inhabitants of the town earnestly associated themselves with him in carrying out
the work.

The Rev. G. F. Fessey resigned as Vicar of Redditch in 1884 after nearly 43 years’ service
and the news was received with much regret by all of his parishioners

11th November 1888 the death of the Rev. George F. Fessey at his residence, Glenfall
Terrace, Cheltenham after a long and painful illness in his 83rd year

A stained glass window in memory of the late Rev. George F. Fessey was dedicated in St
George’s Church, Redditch. The window which consists of three lights, represents the
Ascension and is a gift from Mr Joseph Fessey, brother of the Rev. G. F. Fessey.

© RLHS 2015 Page: 63