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- 2 - John Ogle's Chair |
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One of Prescot's greatest treasures is a carved chair, apparently
given in 1610 to commemorate the rebuilding of the church in that year
and inscribed 'Saint Maria Ye Blessed Virgin, Prescot Parishe, Com
Lancs' ('Com' is short for 'Comitatus', the Latin for 'County'). On
the chair back are the arms and motto of the Ogles and the date
'1610', together with exquisitely carved scenes of the Annunciation to
Mary and the appearance of the Risen Christ to his mother. The chair
also bears monograms of the Virgin Mary, together with the names of
Thomas Meade (the vicar at that time) and of John Ogle (one of the
local gentry). Ogle is thought to have contributed largely to the
rebuilding.
The chair was lost for many years before being discovered at an auction in Manchester in 1920. It was bought by a well-wisher and returned to Prescot. It stands beside the altar and is in regular use as the celebrant's chair.
