MARY LOUISA WOOD was born in London's Doughty Street. Her family later moved to Manchester and eventually came to the Isle of Man in 1859. She became the first organist at Peel Cathedral and later the organist at Braddan Church. In 1882 she founded the Manx Music Festival, more commonly known as "The Guild", and has become known as the "Mother of Manx Music".

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However, her connection with St. Thomas' Church was perhaps one which she would rather have forgotten. The saga began in September 1877 when The Mona's Herald reported that, "Mr P. L. Garrett has resigned the position of organist at St. Thomas's Church". After offering the postion to Mr. J. A. Mylrea, who declined the offer, Miss Woods was appointed as Louis Garrett's replacement. Just two months later the Manx Sun of Saturday 10th November 1877 published the following report, "St. Thomas's Church - We understand that Mr. P. L. Garrett will tomorrow resume the post of organist at St. Thomas's Church which post he resigned some few weeks ago from ill-health. This office was then offered to Mr. J. A. Mylrea who, after a few days consideration refused to accept it., and Miss M. L. Wood was then appointed organist; but the new incumbent (Rev. M. Washington) making the point of having a male organist Mr. Garrett has been prevailed upon by him to return. We cannot pass over the singing last Sunday without remarking upon the great taste and feeling thrown into the hymns and must say that it is to Miss Wood's infinite credit and shows her proficiency as an organist and choir mistress to have effected so much in such a short space of time with comparitively speaking a new choir".

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The above article pronpted "A member of the congregation" to write a letter to the newspaper making it clear that the new vicar's views on having only a male organist were not universally shared by the St. Thomas' congregation at that time. His or her letter was published the following Saturday 17th November 1877 and reads as follows, "To The Editor of The Sun. Sir, - I read the paragraph published in your paper of last week, referring to the change of organist at St. Thomas's Church, and was glad to see the well merited tribute which you paid to the zeal and ability displayed by Miss Wood as organist and choir mistress during the very brief period for which she was permitted to hold that position. The change appears to have been made by the new incumbent, solely on the plea that Miss Wood is a woman. When we consider that the choir of St. Thomas';s is a mixed one, composed of men and women, and sits in the chancel, in full view of the congregation, it becomes difficult to discover any plausible reason, ecclesiastical or social, why the organist, hidden in the recesses of an organ gallery and thus rendered invisible, should indispensably be of the male sex. As a constant worshipper at St. Thomas's Church, I take this opportunity of stating publicly that I and many other members of the congregation regard the summary manner in which Miss Wood has been superseded as a wholly unjustifiable proceeding, showing not only a want of courtesy to Miss Wood, but indifference to the wishes of many of the congregation, a large majority of whom (including both of the wardens) was opposed to the change which has been made. - I remain, Sir, yours faithfully. A MEMBER OF THE CONGREGATION. 15th Nov. 1877.

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Whoever the author of the letter was they were clearly at odds with the decision made by the new vicar. It is also interesting to note that the two wardens mentioned, Major Cartmel and John Quayle resigned from office early the following year and were replaced by Mr Henry Bloom Noble and Mr J. K. Dearden as wardens.

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Miss. Wood died suddenly, aged 81, at her home in Albert Terrace on 4th January 1925. The death of this highly respected lady was widely reported in newspapers across the Island. The Ramsey Chronicle of Friday 9th January 1925 opened their lengthy obituary with the following words, "The death of Miss M. L. Wood A.R.C.O. L.Mus.T.C. took place at Albert Terrace, Douglas on Sunday last. The manner of her passing was the perfect one; she died in full possession of her mental and physical faculties with no suggestion of disease. On Saturday, she was about the house and entertaining friends, as usual. She expressed her determiation to attend S. (sic) Matthew's Church on Sunday morning, as was her wont; but was disuaded from her intention on account of the weather. At ten minutes to twelve, the housekeeper brought her some food, and returning some minutes later found Miss Wood unconscious on the edge of the bed. Dr. Lionel Woods was sent for, but could only pronounce life extinct".

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The Peel City Guardian concluded its equally lengthy obituary with the following paragraphs, "Miss Woods leaves surviving her a sister, Miss Jane Wood, who was one of the pioneers of nursing and was for some years head of the Children's hospital in Great Ormond Street, London and later the founder of the Nurses Hostel, in Francis Street, Tottenham Court Road. Her brother, Dr. John Wood, who practised in Ramsey, died in 1887 from fever contracted from a patient. He left a large family of small children, and it was characteristic of the courage and kindness of the Misses Wood that they should take on the responsibility of bringing up their brother's children.

   The funeral took place on Thursday and the large attendance from all parts of the Island evidenced the widespread respect in which the deceased was held. A service was held in St. Matthews Church prior to interment, which took place in Onchan Churchyard."

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In her will Miss Wood left her books and large collection of music to the Douglas Free Public Library. The Mona's Herald newspaper of Wednesday 28th January 1925 reported, "...the Corporation suddenly becomes possessed, without a penny of cost to the ratepayers, of a large and considerable musical library, the intellegent gathering of a woman of taste and refinement during a period of more than half a century...".

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The Manx Music Festival, The Guild, still remembers its founder by awarding the M. L. Wood Scholarship to the most promising young musicians at the annual festival in the instrumental classes and by proudly displaying a large bronze bust of Miss Wood at the front of the Villa Marina stage throughout the festival week.

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Miss Mary Louisa Wood was a truly remarkable woman whose memory will live on in the field of Manx music for generations to come. Although not Manx born she loved her adopted Island and wrote a harmonized verion of Ellan Vannin. And I am sure that the words of the final verse are a fitting tribute to her;

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Then Mem'ries sweet and tender,

Come like music's plaintive flow,

Of the hearts in Ellan Vannin

That loved me long ago:

And I give with tears and blessings,

My fondest thoughts to thee -

My own dear Ellan Vannin

With its green hills by the sea.

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References:-

New Manx Worthies (Edited By D P G Kelly)

St. Thomas' Church Centenary Brochure

I-museum newspaper archive

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