feature - A visitor to the parish Richard Reynolds Rowe

feature

A visitor to the parish Richard Reynolds Rowe

In the 19th‑century against a background of poorly maintained church buildings throughout the country, an extensive refurbishment of Church of England churches took place. One of the architects involved in Cambridgeshire was Richard Reynolds Rowe who was involved in the design and restoration of many medieval churches throughout the county. One of those churches was All Saints’ in Melbourn.

Richard Reynolds Rowe (known as ‘Reynolds’) was born in 1824 in Cambridge. He was a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects and a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers. He was appointed Engineer to the Cambridge Improvement Commissioners and was responsible for overseeing a wide range of projects throughout Cambridgeshire.

He designed the Cambridge Corn Exchange and alms‑houses in Kings Street and many private homes and by way of contrast he designed the Red Cow public house that sits close to the Corn Exchange.

As a Knight of Justice of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, he was a staunch supporter of the Church of England and took a considerable part in the founding of the Church Congress. He was a life governor of Addenbrooke’s Hospital and took an active interest in local affairs. For many years, he was a member of the Town Council of the Improvement Commission and of the Board of Guardians of the Cambridge workhouse.

Richard Reynolds Rowe died in 1899.

Top left: portrait Richard Reynolds Rowe, in the National Portrait Gallery. Top right & above: Reynolds drawings showing the restoration of the Nave. Below: South side of the church.