THE laying of the foundation stone at the Church of the Ascension, in Malvern Link, was reported in the Malvern Gazette a century ago.

The church was a memorial to the late Archbishop Livingstone, who had died the previous May, and was well known in Malvern. It was paid for by the archbishop's widow.

"When opened for public worship it will be a very handsome structure and will adequately meet the ecclesiastical needs of a rapidly growing neighbourhood," said the paper.

The ceremony was attended by clergymen from parishes in the Malvern area, along with members of Archbishop Livingstone's family. The foundation stone itself was laid in place and Canon Richard J Livingstone struck it symbolically with a mallet.

However, the Gazette also reported that the stone almost came to grief on its way to the church a few days before the ceremony.

"It was being taken to the site on Mr Booth's lorry and when opposite the Cannock Chase coal office, a wheel gave way and the stone was deposited on the roadway," said the paper. "Owing to its size and heavy weight, no arrangements could be made to move it then and a watchman with lamps was stationed beside it during the night. Next day it was safely conveyed to Newtown."