homesweethomeMrL

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/35835400

After 1620

Not named on the stone, Tom, a tabby kitten, was found outside the priests' entrance to the building, sometime in 1912. Maybe he liked the sound of the organ music that was being played at the time! Anyway, he decided it was a good place to stay and spent the next 15 years as 'church cat', becoming quite a local celebrity. For most of his life he was looked after by the verger, Eli Richards.

He would process with the choir on occasion, and also liked to sit by the organist's side during rehearsals and for part of the services. The cat was recalled by blind organist Alfred Hollins, who mentioned in his 1936 reminiscences that Tom would sit beside him on the organ stool. He also often liked to sit on someone's lap in the congregation! — but he wasn't allowed in the chancel and would be removed if he went there. He was said to have attended many more church services than any one of the clergy.

Via