Jackson's Oxford Journal/1900/Consecration of Dr Chavasse

In York Minster on Wednesday the Rev. Francis James Chavasse, D.D., late Principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, was consecrated Bishop of Liverpool, in succession to Bishop Ryle. On previous occasions when a similar ceremony has been performed here it has taken place in the choir of the Minster. It was found, however, that, spacious though it is, this portion of the great building would not hold those who desired to be present, and the nave was therefore utilised for the purpose. A temporary sacrarium draped in red cloth and approached by three broad steps extended the whole width of the choir screen. In the centre was placed a communion table, upon which were a cross and two lighted candles. A throne for the Archbishop of York was placed in the centre of the sacrarium, and at either side seats were provided for the bishops and their chaplains, the Dean of York (Dr. A. P. Purey Cust), and the Canons of the Cathedral Chapter. In the body of the nave accommodation was arranged for the clergy of the diocese of Liverpool, besides those of the diocese of York, the members of the Lower House of Convocation, and the members of the House of Laymen. Thirty representatives also attended from Wycliffe Hall. The laity of the diocese of Liverpool took great interest in the ceremony, and more than five hundred Churchmen journeyed to York by special train.

The ceremony commenced with the reading of the communion service by the Archbishop of York. The epistoler was the Bishop of Oxford, and the gospeller the Bishop of Durham. The Rev. H. C. G. Moule, D.D., Ridley Hall, Cambridge, was the preacher, and founded an eloquent discourse on the words, "Be of good cheer, Paul, for as thou hast testified of Me in Jerusalem, so must thou also bear witness in Rome."

At the conclusion of the sermon the Bishop-Designate was conducted to the vestry, and put on his rochet, after which he was presented to the Archbishop by the Bishops of Oxford and Exeter. The Queen's mandate was then read by the Bishop of Beverley, and the ceremony continued in the usual form.