al; and topped as it
was by a low-pitched hipped roof or squat pyramid, from the point of
which rose high into the air the famous Willenhall weathercock--the
brazen bird flaunting itself aloft, as if deriving its defiance from the
aggressive-looking furcated finials which surrounded it at the four
angles.

This church endured only for about a century, being replaced in 1867 by
the present edifice, erected at a cost of 7,000 pounds, raised by public
subscription. The Chairman of the Committee for the rebuilding was Mr.
R. D. Gough, who, with his wife, contributed 1,700 pounds. Other large
contributors were Mrs. Stokes (with 505 pounds), and the Vicar and
Trustees (who gave 1,000 pounds).

St. Giles's Church is now a substantial stone building in the Decorated
style, consisting of nave, aisles, chancel and transepts, and having at
the west end a lofty square tower, terminated with a pinnacle at each
angle. The new fane was soon adorned by the insertion of a number of
stained glass windows; the large east window was presented by Mr. R. D.
Gough; others were given by the Lords of the Manor of Stow Heath
(emblazoning the arms of Leveson-Gower and Giffard); by the Earl of
Lichfield and the Rev. Charles Lane (also heraldically distinguished);
one was put in as a memorial to members of the Clemson family; and
another to commemorate Mrs. Anwell, a connection of the Gough family.

The work of enlarging the church was undertaken in 1897 in memory of the
late Incumbent, Mr. Fisher; and a fine organ was installed in celebration
of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Also at the same time choir stalls
were introduced, the choristers being brought from the gallery, which
latter feature was rightly removed altogether. Among the improvements
promoted by the Incumbent and his energetic churchwardens, Dr. John T.
Hartill and Mr. H. H. Walker, of Bentley Hall, were the enlargement of
the churchyard and the scheme for providing a church house.

As the new incumbent, Mr. Rosedale, was a nephew of Mrs. Gough, the
generous contributor to the rebuilding fund of 1865-7, just mentioned, it
was suggested that the house she occupied might fittingly be transformed
to serve as a Parsonage.

* * * * *

Almost from the time pews were first put into churches, seats became
appurtenant to certain family mansions, and by custom descended from
ancestor to heir, without any ecclesiastical concurrence. Instances of
s