Vacher family

Philanthropist

The Vacher family of Westminster gave both the brass eagle lectern and the carved and painted pulpit in St Margaret's church Westminster. The plaque on the lectern, made by Thomas Potter & Sons, reads:

In remembrance of Thomas Vacher and Mary his wife: the gift of their sons Thomas Brittain Vacher, George Vacher and Charles Vacher A.D. 1878.

Inside the pulpit, designed by Sydney Vacher, are two brass plates:

+Sydney Vacher+ Born 2nd April 1854. Died 11th January 1935

To the Glory of God.amen. and in loving memory of Thomas Brittain Vacher, stationer, Dec 1805 buried March 1880 is this monument erected +S V architect.

Sydney was Thomas Brittain Vacher's son. Another son Henry died of cholera in India and Francis married Isabella Braidwood.

In the south aisle is a lancet shaped brass in a frame of white marble for Thomas and Mary Vacher and their daughter. In the apex is the Sacred Monogram and the inscription is surrounded by a border of incised ivy leaves. The inscription, in blue and red, reads:

Here rest in Christ abiding the resurrection to eternal Life Thomas Vacher of Parliament Street in this Parish. Born 18 October 1776 Died 3 June 1836. And Mary, daughter of the above Thomas and Mary Vacher Born 3 November 1807 Died 8 February 1809. And in Kensal Green cemetery Mary, relict of the above Thomas Vacher Born 21 April 1783 Died 27 August 1852.

Mary was not buried with her husband and infant daughter in the church as burials ceased at St Margaret's by Order in Council in 1853 and cemeteries outside of the urban area were used for parish burials.

Also on the south wall is a brass plate in a white marble frame in memory of Thomas Brittain Vacher:

"In thy presence is fullness of joy at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Ps.16.II.V. In Kensal Green cemetery rests in Christ abiding the resurrection of eternal life Thomas Brittain Vacher formerly of Parliament Street and of Stanley Crescent Notting Hill. Born 5th December 1805 Died 16th March 1880. The founder in conjunction with his brother of Vacher's Endowment. "He being dead yet speaketh"

A small tablet on the south wall remembers George Vacher:

+To the Glory of God. In loving memory of George Vacher of Chudleigh Surbiton for over fifty years of 29 Parliament St and Warden of this church 1861 who entered into his rest October 22nd 1902 aged 93. Interred at Kensal Green cemetery. A founder of the Bachers Endowment. An example of true piety and devotion beloved of all.

The other son Charles (1818-1883) who married Jane Allan, was a painter in watercolour. Brothers Thomas and George carried on their father's stationery business, publishing Vacher's Parliamentary Companion from 1832.