ST. CLEMENT’S, Notting-hill, situated close to the Lancaster-road and the
Potteries, is a very noticeable structure—as simple, indeed, as it is
possible to be, yet treated with much good feeling and power. The style
is early English in a rather modest form, plain lancets and gables,
without decoration or carving. As a faithful example of the style,
however, it is worthy of notice; and it may be observed that a permanent
structure, plainly and simply, and therefore cheaply treated, is at all
times preferable to temporary iron buildings, often unworthy to be called
churches, but which far too often are allowed to be anything but
temporary. The nave and chancel and aisles have an unbroken line of roof
and ridge, save that at their intersection a small spire or bell-turret
rises square on plan, and like the roof is covered with slate. The
gables and facials add importance to the structure.
The building is of yellow brick with red bands and stone dressings, and
the construction of the roof might be noted as being peculiarly light and
elegant in appearance. Mr. St. Aubyn was the architect, and was
certainly successful in producing a building well adapted for hearing and
seeing the officiating clergy. The ventilation is excellent. The nave
and aisles are separated by wooden posts or iron columns supporting the
roofs, taking the place of the ordinary arcades. The furniture of the
church is in keeping with its general character, and the floors are paved
with tiles. The cost of the whole was 5,500_l._ There is a very
sweet-toned organ by Holdich, but we are sorry to learn it is not the
property of the church, but hired. As, however, it can be acquired for
the sum of 300_l._, or probably something less, we hope it will not be
long before the congregation will own it. It is ably played by Mr. F. K.
Blanch, who is assisted in the musical parts of the service by a very
efficient surpliced choir. The cast of the service generally is
semi-Anglican; the prayers are read and nothing is _intoned_ by the
clergy; but all the responses are sung by the choir and the congregation.
The worship appears carefully guarded against the peculiarities of High
Churchism, without falling into the other extreme, and we must confess
the performance struck us as being hearty and devout, as it regarded both
the clergy and the congregation. The present ministers are the Rev.
Arthur Dalgarno Robinson, M.A., of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, vicar, the
Rev. E. J. Venning, M.A., of Worcester College, Oxford, and the Rev.
Herbert Rowsell, M.A., of St. John’s College, Cambridge, curates. We had
the pleasure of hearing the Rev. Vicar himself, who, in the absence of
his curates taking their holiday, had all the duty to himself. Mr.
Robinson has a clear and pleasant voice, distinctly heard in every part
of the church. He reads with remarkable propriety and effect, a matter
of first importance in a clergyman. In the sermon, which was read, and
founded on Deut. iv. 22, referring to the last words of the great Jewish
lawgiver, and to his not being permitted to cross over into the land of
promise, but to die in that land, the preacher gave evidence of careful
study, imaginative powers, and deep feeling. The remarks were highly
instructive, and specially consolatory to the Christian chastened in
tribulation and disappointed of his earthly hopes. The Rev. A. D.
Robinson has been incumbent from the foundation of the church, which was
opened for Divine Service and consecrated by the Lord Archbishop of
Armagh on Tuesday, the 7th May, 1867. It was erected for a district,
perhaps the poorest in all the Western districts, and containing a
population according to the recent census of 20,000. It supplies 900
sittings, the whole of which are free, and has an average congregation of
from 600 to 700. It is noteworthy that, though in the midst of so poor a
neighbourhood as the Potteries and vicinity, the congregation in the
morning does not by any means appear of the poorer order, but in the
evening many of the poor are to be seen enjoying the services. The
Argyle family, and others from the wealthier parts of the parish of
Kensington, have taken a warm interest in the St. Clement’s cause with
regard to the peculiar population around. But that people have not yet
shown great appreciation of these Christian efforts. Yet a good work is
doing. There is the church, in which we are glad to believe the Gospel
is preached, and into which any poor man can freely enter. There is a
mission-woman working about among the poorest, both in body and soul; but
she sadly needs a co-labourer in this useful department of Christian
work. There are, too, we are pleased to add, very capital day and
Sunday-schools, where about 700 of the children of the poor are receiving
a sound religious and elementary education for the modest fees of 3d. and
2d. per week. There is, therefore, the hope that St. Clement’s will be,
more and more, the centre of Christian civilisation and religious
influence to that needy neighbourhood which it was originally intended to
be. We heartily wish that the Rev. Mr. Robinson could obtain what the
particular work in which he has embarked really deserves and
demands—viz., a larger amount of general recognition and support from the
outside public. As the case now stands, he must often look around him
and say, “Truly the harvest is great, but the labourers are few.” There
is a small endowment on the church, to which the proceeds of a weekly
offertory are added. As both sources of income, however, are at present
small, they can barely suffice to keep up the work even to its present
standard. We are assured that a little more material support would be
highly acceptable and useful, well bestowed, and gratefully felt and
acknowledged at St. Clement’s.