ST. PETER’S, Notting-hill, in the Kensington-park-road, is an Italian
edifice, looking of some importance as regards its west elevation, the
only portion of the church seen from the road. On close inspection it is
disappointing to find stucco in place of stone facing the work. The
elevation consists of a large enclosed portico with engaged columns,
supporting an entablature and pediment, which is surmounted by a square
tower with engaged columns and tower lights, and terminating with a sort
of pepper box top. Although not so prominently or so beautifully placed
as St. John’s, it has a pleasing appearance from the road; the effect,
however, is somewhat diminished by a dwarfed cupola. A more lofty,
tapering campanile would have added much to its importance. The façade
is not seen to advantage, from its close proximity to the road. A large
vestibule gives access to the main body of the church and the gallery
staircases. The plan of the church consists of a nave and aisles, a
portion of the east end being railed off to form a chancel. Three large
galleries partly enclose the church, and entirely cover the space of the
aisles. Large Corinthian columns and entablature support the roof; just
above the cornice are semicircular clerestory lights, glazed in a
fan-like manner. The roof is enclosed by a flat ceiling in panels,
ornamented with centre flowers, and the aisles are ceiled at a lower
level below the clerestory.
The church has had everything done for it that can be in the way of
decoration, which has been very beautifully executed, and in perfect
keeping with the style of the building. The Greek ornament and colouring
are at once harmonious and agreeable, and should prove a good lesson to
all, showing what may be done to beautify even a heavy building, and how
very efficient church decorators have hitherto been in the adornment of
our churches. One can only hope that some whitewash advocates may be
induced from these remarks to visit St. Peter’s. We are quite sure they
will change their minds—and some churchwardens may well blush for their
own doings, and set about an improved state of things in their own
churches. The east end is more ornately decorated than other portions;
the caps and bases of the columns are guilded, the panels are fitted with
diaper and lily ornaments. Some rather happy stained glass, illustrating
incidents in the life of St. Peter, assists in producing an exceedingly
well-conceived whole. Two of the windows are of superior workmanship, by
Clayton and Bell, but the centre large one is slightly pretentions,
somewhat faulty in drawing, and not equal to the general features of the
decorations, though the appearance of the chancel on entering the church
is singularly fine. The Gothic furniture and stalls of the chancel we
dislike, being out of place. The pulpit is cleverly contrived to be as
light and unobstructive as possible, yet necessarily high, on account of
the galleries, and, moreover, so gossamer-like with regard to its
enclosing railing, that any near-sighted strangers may be forgiven for a
feeling of nervousness for the safety of the preacher.
The vase font is near the western entrance. The organ is in the west
gallery. Some stained glass of good design fills some of the
aisle-windows. The passages are paved, with ornamental tiles, the pewing
has been cut down, and would be greatly improved raised four or five
inches above the level of the passage-paving. The church is thoroughly
and expensively heated with warm air, and lighted at night by a
sun-burner from the roof, containing 120 jets. Every attention appears
to have been paid to ensure the comfort of the congregation. The most
marked feature of St. Peter’s Church is its interior, which, as a whole,
is very beautiful. The style is worked out in Pompeian red, and,
although florid in development, is by no means obtrusive; and from the
general harmonies of colour and subdued blendings, it is thought to
conduce to a feeling of devotional repose. The galleries, however,
constitute a great drawback to this otherwise very pleasing interior.
They are too flat in construction, and too ponderous for the limited
space between the roof and the floor of the side aisles.
This church is one of six now gathered round the original church of St.
John’s, Notting-hill, and is allocated to one of the six new parishes
into which the old parish has been subdivided. It was built in the year
1856, with funds furnished partly by the incumbent and partly by
donations from the immediate neighbourhood. It has sittings for 1,400
persons, out of which 400 are free. There are, in connexion with it,
large and exceedingly well appointed schools, numbering 150 boys, 150
girls and 220 infants. The efficiency of these schools has been
authoritatively commended.
The present vicar, the Rev. J. Robbins, D.D., of Christ Church, Oxford,
was appointed in the year 1862. We had not the opportunity of hearing
the rev. gentleman preach, but he read the first lesson, and we consider
him quite a model reader. From a firm, distinct, and flexible utterance,
and as from a ready appreciation of its sense, Scripture is made to speak
its meaning, and to convey real effect in the reading. The general order
of service he has adopted is semi-choral. The prayers are monotoned, the
chants and responses are Gregorian. The choir is mostly composed of
boys, with surplices, educated in the schools attached to the church, and
who sing the music about as well as such music can be done. The Creed
is, also, in reality, sung and accompanied with the organ. We must
confess to a disappointment in the effect produced by the organ, the
tones of which did not seem to harmonise with the flow of voices; but we
hear this is about to be remedied. To many there would doubtless seem in
this service an excess of singing, and that, monotonous in a large
degree. But it is the High Church order of things; and St. Peter’s is
confessedly High Church. There are various societies attached for the
visitation of the poor and the distribution of several charities.
The sermon on Sunday morning, July 2, 1871, was preached by the Rev. C.
R. Robinson, M.A., Canon of Rochester, for the Gravesend (or St.
Andrew’s) Waterside Mission. Notwithstanding the inclement weather, the
church was fully attended by a congregation in the midst of which it was
hard to discern a single poor person. The preacher discoursed pleasantly
on 1 Peter v. 10, 11—“But the God of all grace,” &c. His account of the
origin of St. Andrew’s Mission, of which he himself was the founder about
ten years ago, and of his personal interviews with seamen in going to sea
and returning, distribution of books, &c., riveted the attention of the
audience, and appeared to excite intense feeling in favour of the noble
objects of the society. The usual preliminary part of the Communion
Service, including the Commandments, the Nicene Creed, Epistle and
Gospel, was not read; but the sermon followed the Litany and hymn. The
hymn-book used is “Hymns Ancient and Modern” (Novello, Ewer, and Co.,
Berners-street). Usual services—Sundays: 8 A.M., Holy Communion; 11,
Morning Prayer, Litany, and sermon; 12.30 P.M., Communion (choral); 3.30
P.M., Evening Prayer and catechising the children; 7 P.M., Evening Prayer
and sermon. Week-days: 8 A.M., morning prayer; 5.30 P.M., Evening Prayer
(choral); Wednesday and Friday, Litany, 12.30 P.M.; Thursday, Communion
at 7 A.M., and also on saints’ days and holidays. The church is open all
day for prayer and meditation, and a public notice at the doors requests
“all persons to observe silence.”