ONSLOW CHAPEL, situate in Neville terrace, Brompton, has many pretensions
to Gothic architectural effect. It is slightly decorated in design, and
somewhat early. Long before the two churches were thought of, between
which it now stands, St. Pauls and St. Peters, its two little spires
could be seen like landmarks in the surrounding plain. It is one of
those early attempts of the Nonconformists to establish a better style of
architecture in their buildings for public worship. The west front is,
however, all of which it can boast, the inside being of true chapel type,
consisting, one may almost say, of a large hall, ribbed and vaulted in
plaster. The western gallery adds to the accommodation for sittings, and
the body of the chapel is well filled with simple pewing. The pulpit is
tall, and backed up by the organ. In the usual way the Vestry is at the
east end. The foundation-stone was laid by that great and good man, the
Hon. Arthur Kinnaird, in 1856.
[Picture: Onslow Chapel, Brompton, 1856]
This chapel was built fifteen years ago, for the church then meeting in
Alfred-place, under the pastorate of the Rev. G. Bigwood. It seats 650
persons, and cost 6,000_l._ But this outlay included, besides the
chapel-proper, convenient class-rooms, and a spacious schoolroom which
runs back on a line with the chapel into Neville-street, and is now
mentioned as Onslow Hall, a suitable place for meetings and lectures.
The Rev. G. Bigwood’s ministry lasted about eighteen years, and he was
succeeded in 1870 by the Rev. Joseph Upton Davis, B.A., the present
pastor. The minister is a Baptist, but the membership is open to
Christians of other Evangelical communions. As a preacher, Mr. Davis has
considerable gifts. To a pleasing manner and voice there is a goodly
share of refinement, general evidence of culture, and preaching ardour,
which are essential to the modern pulpit. “He that hath an ear let him
hear what the spirit saith unto the churches” was solemnly enforced, and
the dwellers in Laodicean ease—the “neither cold nor hot”—were keenly
rebuked, although affectionately dealt with. The congregation was not a
full one; but it was pleasing to note that with very few exceptions all
remained to the Communion service, which immediately followed the first
service. The hymn after the sermon was followed only by the benediction,
briefly rendered, which, as a rule, is somewhat unlike Nonconforming
services, in which the preacher generally offers a short prayer, having
some reference in spirit to the matter of the discourse. A Sunday-school
is conducted in the schoolroom, where, under management, 400 scholars
assemble morning and afternoon, superintended by Mr. Mayers. The general
services are—Sunday morning at 11, evening at 6.30, Thursday evenings at
7, and communion the first Sunday in the month.