Rev J F Lateward - Rector 1812-1861  

Rev James Frederick Lateward was born in 1787, the youngest son of John and Temperance Schreiber, who had changed their surname to Lateward on succeeding to the Lordship of the manor. He was the archetypal 'youngest son' of an aristocratic family who joined the church, and obtained the Rectorship through the Patronage of his father. He was educated at St John's College Cambridge, and became Rector in 1812. This gave him an income of £310 per year , which enabled him to employ a curate, and to travel. He lived in Notting Hill Square and was largely an absentee incumbent. By 1836, no vestry meetings had been held for 4 years, and the Rural Dean interfered to insist that the tower be repainted, and required various other improvements. Lateward wrote letters asking for additional funding for the church because there were only 5 rate-paying parishioners. He apparently offered beer to the 2-3 rustics who used to attend service, stating that ‘It is scarcely worthwhile to read service for so few, would you like some beer at the rectory instead'. That formula became so well known that the sole reason for church attendance was said to be the chance of free refreshment. He was British Chaplain at Berne from 1853-1860, and died in Hastings in 1861. We are fortunate in possessing an original photograph of him, as reproduced below.