Interieur van de Saint Mark's Church in Ampfield before 1866

This is William Savage's image of the Saint Mark's Church in Ampfield. Savage, working in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, lived in a period of significant social and religious change, where the spiritual role of the church continued to shape social life. The image captures a serene interior, and we see pews that likely seated families and individuals from various social strata, united in worship. The architecture, typical of the time, emphasizes order and hierarchy, reflecting the societal norms where class distinctions were visibly embedded in the layout of communal spaces. Consider the unacknowledged labor that supported such structures: the stonemasons, carpenters, and other workers whose identities are conspicuously absent. Savage's image invites us to reflect on who is represented and who is left out, prompting questions about the narratives we construct around community and belonging. The hushed atmosphere of the church suggests a space of contemplation, yet it also reminds us of the complex power dynamics inherent in religious institutions.