THIS church is a recent instance of the modern forward movement to
overtake the spreading population of the suburbs. It is situated at the
extreme north of the parish, in the midst of a vast mass of new property,
which is very properly called _New-town_, or Kensal New-town. The
parish, which was formed out of the extensive one of All Saints’,
Notting-hill, has a population of 9,000; and up to the present has been
very ill-provided with means of religious worship. Indeed, it seems as
if no effort can be abreast of the fast-growing needs of the metropolis.
But here is, at least, a large and handsome church situate in a locality
in which _primâ facie_ it would appear a very _God-send_. Alighting at
the Westbourne-park Station, and passing over the bridge, a sign-board
directs the inquirer along the main Newtown-street, and after four or
five minutes’ walk another board points out the site of the church. Or
an equally ready way of access may now be found from the Notting-hill
Station, by the Ladbroke and recently-opened Golborne-road. This edifice
is the fruit of private and public zeal combined. A Christian lady in
Bayswater devoted 5,000_l._ of her abundance, and the Bishop of London’s
Fund, together with some local donations, supplied the remainder of
7,000_l._, which was the cost of the building. It is therefore
unencumbered with debt, and has a free and open course before it for
Christian usefulness. The ceremony of consecration took place on
Saturday, the 8th of January, 1870, when our reporter in attendance wrote
that, “Notwithstanding the furious gale over the parish, upwards of 700
ladies and gentlemen were present.” The then new Bishop of London (Dr.
Jackson) officiated, and was assisted in the service by the Venerable
Archdeacon Sinclair, Vicar of St. Mary Abbotts, Kensington; the Rev. A.
G. Pemberton, of Kensal-green; the Rev. A. Campe; and the Rev. R. Towers,
the incumbent. A number of other clergymen were also present, amongst
whom were the Rev. R. W. Forest, the Rev. Daniel Moore, the Rev. Bryan
Hodge, the Rev. W. A. Newton, the Rev. W. A. Bathurst, &c.
The building is of red brick with Bath-stone mouldings, covered with the
best Welsh slates, and surrounded on all sides with a strong iron
railing. In the exterior there is no other particular feature, except a
prettily-shaped belfry, which is an ornament to the east front. The
interior does credit to the architect, Mr. Keeling, of Gray’s-inn; who,
forbidden the versatility of device he has displayed in St. Mark’s,
Notting-hill, St. George’s, Campden-hill, and elsewhere, has given a free
adaptation of early French Gothic. There are a nave and aisles,
separated on either side by five handsome columns of Devonshire marble,
with carved-stone capitals, and supporting an entablature of six arches
on each side, from which a lofty groined roof spans the nave. The arches
are of variegated brick, with Bath-stone dressings; and the higher part
of the side walls in the same, the lower part being faced with Bath-stone
ashlar. The choir and chancel are ample in dimensions, the former being
furnished with high cathedral-backed stalls, and the former ornamented
with neatly-illuminated texts, the Ten commandments, &c., and over the
communion-table the words—which it may be hoped, will be a faithful index
to the ministry ever to be exercised in the church, “Christ is the end of
the law for righteousness to him that believeth.” The organ is a
borrowed instrument of very inferior quality, and which is shortly to be
supplanted by one more adapted to the beautiful and spacious edifice.
Towards this most desirable improvement 40_l._ only has yet been raised,
towards 250_l._, the estimated cost. As the congregation and immediate
neighbourhood are mainly poor, it would be a real boon if some wealthier
person or persons beyond the district could devise the means to present
to the church a suitable instrument. The church is admirably adapted for
the free passage both of light and sound, and the plain but
variously-stained windows, without Scripture or canonical characters, add
to the beautiful effect of the whole structure. There are no galleries;
but the ground floor, well laid out with substantial open pews, supplies
accommodation for 950, but is capable of taking 1,000 without
overcrowding. We regretted to observe that the congregation present at
the morning service were not anything like half the number. The audience
in the evening, however, is said to be much larger, a feature very
characteristic of poor localities, where many week-day working people are
seldom prepared for church before evening on the Sabbath. The place is
well warmed by a large stove, which sent a comforting glow of heat
through the entire space; and is lit at night from ornamental pillars,
each having four branches, and each branch three jets, specially designed
by Messrs. Johnson Brothers, of High Holborn. The floors of the aisles,
choir, and chancel are inlaid with tessellated tiles.
The first builder was unable to fulfil his contract, which occasioned
considerable delay; but ultimately it was taken in hand by Messrs.
Scriven and White, of Camden-town, who carried out their engagement to
perfect satisfaction.
Church work, in this case, is yet in its infancy, and seems to ask for
assistance. There are, however, the seeds of what, let us hope, may
prove a future moral and spiritual harvest. The population requires to
be wrought upon outside the walls, that they may be brought more fully to
comprehend their privileges. It appears quite certain that within there
are all the means of good to them. The service is devoutly and earnestly
performed in its Evangelical interpretation, the prayers, psalms, and
creeds being read, and responded to by the congregation. The musical
part is Gregorian plain-song; but sufficiently varied to prevent the
sense of severe monotony. The choir is at present a mixture of male and
female voices; and there is some room for improvement, which will
doubtless come when it is assisted by a better organ. The hymn-hook is
the “Church and Home Metrical Psalter and Hymnal.” The Rev. Robert
Towers, B.A., the Vicar, was without assistance in the clerical portion
of the service. He reads in a distinct and feeling manner; and preaches
extempore, purely and properly so. His text was taken from Matthew ix.
12: “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick,”
&c. In this discourse in simple language and illustration, we verily
believe was preached _the_ truth as it is in the Gospel. We could not
but wish that the place had been crowded to hear it. The disease of sin
was scripturally set forth as _inherent_ in man’s nature, _hereditary_,
_loathsome_, _contagious_, and by all human means _incurable_. Mr.
Towers is a preacher who is not afraid to speak of sin in appropriate
terms, telling his audience plainly that “it damns the soul and fills
hell”; and that in the world wherever it is found, “the blast of the
devil passes over, and carries its accursed infection beyond.” As to its
human incurability, “Not even religious ceremonies in themselves could
avail. Baptism was not regeneration.” Sin would still reign and
increase “its deadly and damnable effects in the soul,” for there was “no
getting through or living it down. It was very _death_ itself.” “But
thanks be unto God that though the wages of sin be death, the gift of God
is eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The character and
ability of the great Physician, and the Divine mode of cure, through the
application of “the precious blood” by “the Holy Ghost” to the repentant
sinner, were impressively and unmistakeably set forth, together with the
delightful effects in the experience of men. In short, we have never
listened to more real Gospel within thirty minutes of time than on the
morning of Sunday, November 12, 1871. We sincerely hope the church will
soon be filled, from the chancel to the baptistry. There is a
Sunday-school with about 150 scholars, and an excellent staff of
teachers. A Church of England Young Men’s Society has been established
about six months, and supplies a number of very competent male teachers
to the school, which at present meets in the church in the afternoon. A
near site, however, for a school is already purchased, and will be built
upon as soon as funds are secured for the purpose. Mission-rooms
attached, capable of holding about 100 persons, are at 15,
Appleford-road, where a missionary is employed and holds service Sunday
afternoons and Monday evenings; three Bible-women are also doing their
useful work in the parish. There would appear, therefore, to be much of
the machinery requisite for carrying on the work in this new locality;
but the church is entirely dependent on voluntary support, and, the
people being poor, that support is as yet but feeble. The weekly
offertory was at first adopted; but soon discontinued, being considered
unpopular, and boxes were placed at the doors. The financial result,
however, is most insignificant; and it is evident that something more is
necessary, if this fine church and zealous few are not to be crippled in
their energies. An earnest appeal is therefore being made by the Vicar
and the Churchwardens, Mr. W. J. Murlis and T. Horsman, for help to meet
the expenses. One thing should not be unnoticed; a provident fund is
established for the poor, from which the sick, aged, and persons
suffering from want of work, are aided in time of need. The society adds
two-pence to every shilling deposited by the members when able, and
already between 60_l._ and 70_l._ stands to the credit of the fund.