THE new Church of St. Jude’s, South Kensington, is situate close to the
Cromwell and Gloucester-roads, and stands out boldly, tree-less, and
alone, a striking object in the surrounding plain, looming largely in the
distance. Nor is it less striking on a closer view. It is in the early
Gothic style, some fair detail of which it possesses, especially in the
character of the west front, which is a happy composition; but its most
remarkable features consist in the number of gables, gable-crosses,
terminations, and chimneys, the great size of some of its windows, and a
certain stilted appearance that the structure has, altogether a whole not
perfectly pleasing or picturesque. The view from the north-west is
perhaps the most telling in point of effect, but this would be greatly
improved by the addition of the tower and spire, which we hope will soon
appear, but there is a certain comfortable-looking bell-turret which
seems to say, “I answer all purposes required.”
[Picture: Interior of St. Jude’s Church, South Kensington]
The church is built of Kentish rag and Bath stone dressings, and the
roofs are covered with slate in bands of colour. The gates and
approaches when finished will add greatly to the general appearance.
If the outside is peculiar, the inside, perhaps, is more so. The
building, which is slightly cruciform on plan, covers a large area, about
135 feet long by 87 feet wide. These dimensions are sufficient to give a
great idea of space, and this effect is increased from the fact of the
floor being nearly free from the usual obstructing columns; for although
there is the general arrangement of nave and aisles, yet the slight iron
columns, that support the arcades offer but very little impediment either
to sight or sound. The acoustic properties are exceedingly good, and the
preacher can be seen and heard to advantage from all points; whilst the
large north and south windows admit such volumes of light that there is
an entire absence of that “dim religious light” favoured by a section of
the English Church.
[Picture: View of St. Jude’s Church, South Kensington]
Architecturally the iron columns are suggestive of having too much to
do—looking weak and unequal to the task of supporting the pretty nave
roof and coloured-brick arches; this is especially the case with the
columns at the transepts. The iron, as we have said, from its lightness,
assists sight and sound, but then beauty is sacrificed to utility, which
to some extent we think unfortunate; but the church has evidently been
designed to assist the preacher’s voice, and therefore we must
congratulate the architect, Mr. J. H. Godwin, of Brompton, on his
complete success. The prevailing buff colour of the bricks, being
imitated in the painting of the columns, is not pleasing, and we think
may be altered with advantage. The church will hold 1,700 persons, and
the galleries add to the auditorium, but are no assistance to effect, and
compel the use of a stilted and old-fashioned pulpit.
The organ-chamber and a capital vestry are at the north-east angle of the
church, and the baptistry, at the west end, is well arranged and contains
a handsomely-designed early font. The east window is of stained glass,
illustrating the life of Christ. The doors are ample and admit of good
entrance and exit. The pewing is comfortable and compact. The school
class rooms and offices below account for the stilted appearance before
referred to.
St. Jude’s is one of the latest and most noticeable instances of
aggressive effort on the part of the Established Church. It was
originated by the Rev. J. A. Aston, late Vicar of St. Stephen’s,
Kensington, to provide for the spreading suburban population in that
part, and has cost, as it now stands, 10,000_l._, which is entirely the
munificent gift to the district of Mr. J. D. Allcroft, of 55,
Porchester-terrace, and Wood-street, E.C. When all complete, including
the site and the vicarage shortly to be erected, the cost will be about
19,000_l._, the additional 9,000_l._ being jointly guaranteed by Mr.
Allcroft, the Rev. J. A. Aston, and the present Vicar. There is a
capital organ, ably presided at by Mr. M. Lochner, having four manuals,
and favoured on the choir organ with that very rare stop, the _Vox
Humana_, and capable of enlargement. This fine instrument was built by
Mr. H. Wedlake, of Fitzroy-square, at a cost of 700_l._, and is another
of the grand offerings in connexion with the St. Jude enterprise—being
the sole gift of Mrs. Walter Powell of Notting-hill. The largest of the
three rooms underneath the east end of the church is forthwith to be
fitted up. It is capable of holding 400 people, and to be used for the
purpose of meetings, Sunday-schools, &c. It is not intended at present
to have day-schools.
Although opened for Divine Service so recently as the 23rd of Dec., 1870,
it has within three months collected within its walls one of the largest
congregations to be met with around London. It is estimated to
accommodate 1,700 worshippers—and on a special occasion it might very
well contain 2,000. On Sunday morning, February 26, there were from
1,500 to 1,600 present, and the church did not present a crowded
appearance. A glance over the large assembly showed that it contained
scarcely a sprinkling of the lower or labouring classes. It was composed
almost entirely of the aristocracy and gentle people of the district,
together with the middle and trading classes. The sittings are let at
2_l._ 2s., 35s., 30s., and 20s. per year; but as one-third of the entire
number are to be _free_, it may be hoped that the “rich and the poor”
will here also meet together before Him “who is the Maker of them all.”
The service is a vigorous rendering of the plain Church Service,
cautiously guarded against Ritualistic signs. The members of the choir
are not robed in white, nor have they anything to distinguish them but
the place they occupy. The clergy wear a simple surplice at prayers, and
appear in the pulpit in a black gown. The Rev. R. W. Forrest, M.A., of
Trin. Col., Dublin, the first vicar of this new church, was transferred
to it from the Lock Chapel, Paddington, having been previously incumbent
of St. Andrew’s, Liverpool. In Paddington he enjoyed a well-deserved
popularity, which appears still to attend him in his new sphere of duty.
In appearance he is about forty years of age, tall and commanding in
presence, and possessing a strong pleasant voice, used with ease and
heard without effort in the remotest corner of the spacious edifice. His
reading of the Holy Scriptures is specially distinct, natural, and
impressive. The pulpit discourse was founded on Heb. iv., and part of
the 16th verse, “But was in all points tempted, like as we are, yet
without sin.” It was a practical and touching illustration of our Lord’s
temptations in their bearing upon the experience and present comfort of
his people, and, being delivered _extempore_, brought the preacher into
direct sympathy with his audience. The Rev. F. Moran (curate) assisted
in reading the prayers—a clergyman who also possesses a clear and
distinct enunciation—suitable to the place and the congregation. Among
Mr. Forrest’s hearers on the occasion of our visit were Bishop Barker, of
Sydney, Metropolitan of Australia, and the Dean of Ripon.