Francis Morse, M.A. (18 May 1818 - 18 Sept 1886)
Ordained 1845, Perpetual curate of Ladywood 1854 - 1864
Vicar of St. Mary's Church, Nottingham 23 Dec 1864 - 1884
Prebendary of Lincoln 1867 - 1884, Canon of Southwell Minster 1885 - 1886
Francis Morse was the son of Thomas Morse of Blundeston, Norfolk. With the arrival of Francis Morse at St. Mary's in 1864, a distinct change occurred. He introduced a modern style of management; printed annual reports first appear during his incumbency, and the Vestry minutes start with his arrival. He was an intellectual with a distinguished career at Cambridge University. He catered for both 'catholic' and 'protestant' interests. The church supported both The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel and the Church Missionary Society. There was a Guild of Communicants and meetings of the Evangelical Temperance Society. A great effort was made to attract men and boys to special services, and to collect money for the General Hospital. The third Earl Manvers, in spite of being based at Thorseby, supported Morse and was vicar's warden throughout the incumbency. The fabric of the church was not neglected and continual restoration took place. After 20 years, More is reputed to have raised and spent £18,000 on the interior alone, re-roofing the aisles and transepts, and redesigning the chancel. Apart from the organ of 1871, which was removed in 1915, the chancel stalls, bishop's throne, reredos, altar, sedilla and rood-screen are all from this date and still extant.
The bronze doors are a striking feature of the church, and were put up in 1905, "in loving memory of Francis Morse, 1818-1886, Father, Pastor, Friends." The panels of exquisite workmanship mostly "illustrate the life of our Lord in its relation with the Holy Mother to whom the church is dedicated," and remind us of the words of Christ: "I am the door". Symbolism plays a large part in the design, and in that connection the dove is frequently introduced. For instance, in the spandrels over the doors, the dove as the weary spirit of man enters behind the veil to emerge with renewed life. Again in a striking panel of the Crucifiction - unfortunately placed at the bottom of the door - the doves of pardon and peace hover above conscience-striken humanity in the types of Adam and Eve at the foot of the Cross, which is a branching vine.
Adapted with kind permission from The Anglican Church in the Industrialised Town, St. Mary's Parish, Nottingham 1770-1884 M.W.Bowen MA, M Phil, University of Nottingham, October 1997