Sidney Gambier-Parry

The architect of Winthorpe Church, Sidney Gambier-Parry came from a clever and artistic family. His father, Roman, was born in 1816 and died in 1888 and lived at Highnam Court Gloucester. He was a fresco painter and painted the roof of the nave of Ely Cathedral, and embellished Gloucester Cathedral and Tewkesbury Abbey. He also built and endowed Highnam Church. He was a philanthropist and founded the Children's Hospital and the Home for Incurables and Orphanage in Gloucester and the School of Art in that city.

He married twice, and a son of the first marriage was Sir Hubert Parry, the well-known composer of church music, and a half brother of Winthorpe Church’s architect. The wife of this marriage was Anna Fynes Clinton, the head of that family being the Dukes of Newcastle, who are Lords of the Manor of Winthorpe.

Sidney was the son of the second marriage and was born on 9 January 1859 and died on 16 April 1935. Winthorpe Church was built between 1886 and 1888, so he was in his twenties when he was architect for it, and no doubt his father helped and gave advice especially as he had built Highnam Church in Gloucestershire.

Miss K.E.Euston.
Extract from Focal Point.

Amendment.

It has been brought to my attention that there are two errors in the above article.

Sidney Gambier-Parry's father was called Thomas and not Roman.

Sidney Gambeir-Parry died in 1948 and not 1935.

I am happy to correct these mistakes. 

I am indebted to Mr. Peter Batts of Tunbridge Wells, who guided me to the source of the information in the book, 'The Parrys of the Golden Vale'  by Anthony Boden.

Pat Finn. March 2012.