Stanmore, Little (St. Lawrence)

STANMORE, LITTLE (St. Lawrence), a parish, in the union of Hendon, hundred of Gore, county of Middlesex, ½ a mile (N. W.) from Edgware; containing 830 inhabitants. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of the Armstrong family: the great tithes have been commuted for £36. 10., and the incumbent's for £415. The church, situated half a mile from the village, was rebuilt, with the exception of the tower, about 1715, by the Duke of Chandos, whose splendid mansion of Canons was in the parish. The internal decorations were completed in 1720. The ceiling and walls were painted by Laguerre. On one side of the altar is a painting of the Nativity, and on the other a Dead Christ; behind it is a recess for the organ, supported by columns of the Corinthian order, and in the back ground are paintings of Moses receiving the Law, and Christ preaching. Handel, who resided at Canons as chapel-master, is said to have composed his sacred drama of Esther for the consecration of Stanmore church; the anthems used in it were composed by him, and the morning and evening services by Pepusch. On September 25th, 1790, a grand miscellaneous concert of sacred music, selected from Handel's works, was performed to his honour in the church. A vault was constructed on the north side of the chancel by the Duke of Chandos, for the interment of his family; and in a large chamber over it is a monument to his ancestor, James, first duke. The free grammar school was established and endowed by Sir Lancelot Lake, in 1656; the income is £50 per annum. Almshouses for seven persons were founded in 1640 by Dame Mary Lake, having an endowment of about £45 per annum.—See Edgware.