THIS is situated near the point where the Cornwall-road crosses the
Ladbroke-grove-road, with a low, single-arched looking front, approached
by a flight of steps from the footway, and inclining towards the latter
road. It is a wooden structure, but protected by a coating of lath, with
an outside covering of Portland cement; and when on the other side the
whole building is in view, it looks a long, dark, narrow object, which
would not be readily taken for a place of worship, reminding one of a
huge ironclad lying at anchor in a quiet harbour. It may be explained
that the shell was formerly a part of an _annexe_ belonging to the
Exhibition building of 1862; and having been made a present, by the
contractors, Messrs. Lucas and Co., to Sir Morton Peto, was presented by
that gentleman for its present good purpose in the Cornwall-road. It was
set up in 1863, including a large, commodious schoolroom, deacons’ and
minister’s vestries all included. The chapel itself is a spacious
oblong, fitted with an organ gallery behind the pulpit, and another
gallery of similar dimensions at the opposite end, but having no side
galleries. The organ was also the gift of Sir M. Peto, and built by
Willis, of the Albany-road, Regent’s-park, at a cost of 300_l._ There is
a plain pulpit, sufficiently elevated, and the floor is plainly pewed;
but the woodwork in the roof is tastefully coloured in light blue and
white, which gives a light and pleasing aspect to the interior. The
place will accommodate about 800 persons.
The Rev. J. A. Spurgeon, brother of the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, of the
Metropolitan Tabernacle, was the first minister of the chapel. He
laboured very successfully for four years—collecting an excellent
congregation and a goodly body of church members. He was, however,
unfortunately for his people, removed to assist his brother in the duties
of the college which he had founded in connexion with his South London
enterprise. Previously to his departure, however, the church gave
substantial proof of the esteem in which it held him, by presenting him
with a purse containing 50_l._, and a handsome gold watch and key, by
Bennett, of Cheapside, which cost 24_l._
The successor was the Rev. Charles White a minister who can scarcely be
said to have settled in the church. At his inauguration the Rev. C. H.
Spurgeon preached an appropriate sermon, at the close of which he hoped,
and in fact predicted, that the Rev. Mr. White would prove the “right
man” for the congregation. It, however, almost immediately after
transpired that a serious feeling of estrangement, and of something
beyond, sprung up between several of the principal members and deacons
and the new minister. It need not be surmised which side was most to
blame. Probably it is safe to omit all conjectures on the subject. This
“letting out” of the waters of strife became painful in its consequences.
The church was completely rent; and in about nine months after his
appointment Mr. White left the chapel, and betook himself, with a large
number of the congregation, to the Ladbroke Hall near, where he continued
to minister for another year. In the meantime the chapel was well nigh
forsaken and the church severely tried. It was at this juncture that the
present minister, the Rev. R. H. Roberts, B.A. (of London University),
was invited, and undertook the charge. Under the difficult circumstances
he appears to have acted the part of a wise man, resolving and avowing
his resolution not in any way to interfere with Mr. White, or harbour any
feeling of hostility towards him or his friends, but, on the contrary, to
evince towards them an amicable disposition. There was, however, not
long the need for this display of Christian temper in that direction, as
very soon Mr. White removed from the neighbourhood. From that time the
church has been gradually revived and the congregation visibly increased,
many of the old members returning, and some new being added; and at
present it looks as though it must shortly recover its former strength.
Mr. Roberts, who has now been two years with the church, is an
intelligent and thoughtful preacher, and from the discourse to which we
listened, founded on the parable of the pounds, we should think he is
aiming at inspiring his people with a high sense of their responsibility.
There were some pointed and pregnant utterances in the sermon which are
apt to fix themselves in the memory. As for instance, in regard to the
constancy of Christian service: “Let not this be a work for ‘saints’
days,’ for all days are, or ought to be, _saints’ days_ in the calendar
of the kingdom of heaven.” As to the Saviour’s second advent: “The
_best_ way of waiting for Christ is to continue _working_ for him. With
the nearness or distance of his coming we have nothing to do; the word
says ‘Occupy _till_ I come.’” As to the proper use of our talents: “Some
men prosper and come into the front _by accident_; but the outward
seeming will be _pierced_ through in the day of account, and the very
heart of whatever reality there is about us will be got at.” Then,
again, as to human attainments: “All human attainments are only divine
endowments developed and magnified.” These and similar terse remarks,
thrown out in passing, added effect to various parts of the subject.
The service of song is well provided for here. “Psalms and Hymns” for
use in Baptist congregations is the book used, in which it is
satisfactory to observe the name of every author drawn upon appended to
his composition. The Bristol Tune-book is distributed, and the name of
the tune is given out with the hymn. There is also Allen’s Book of
Congregational Chants and Anthems; and that grand and universal hymn _Te
Deum Laudamus_ was not omitted, but was sung in the midst of the service
with much propriety and spirit by the whole congregation.
In the Sunday-school there are a little over 300 children on the books,
and an average attendance of about 100 in the morning and 220 in the
afternoon. There is a “Home Missionary Society,” which employs twelve
tract distributors; a “Maternal Society,” a regular “Mothers’ Meeting,”
and a “Dorcas Society.” In its late troubles, as a matter of course, the
finances of the church became deranged and fell into arrears. Although
surely improving, a rather heavy balance is still due to the treasurer.
Yet, notwithstanding, we observe that the congregation contributed last
year 43_l._ 18s. 7d. to foreign missions. The church draws its home
support from pew-rents, which last year amounted to 185_l._ 11s., and a
weekly offertory, a special fund, incidental sources, and collections,
yielding in all, from July 1869 to July 1870, 497_l._ 1s. 11d.
The order of services is: Sunday—Prayer-meeting at 10.15, public worship
at 11 A.M. and 7 P.M.; Monday, prayer-meeting at 7.30; Wednesday,
“Congregational Bible-class,” a service intended for the simple
exposition of any passage of Scripture upon which any person present
might wish comment offered; alternating with singing classes, teachers’
meetings, church meetings, &c. Inquirers’ meetings are held on Monday
evenings by the pastor in the Vestry, from 7 to 7.30. Communion on the
first Sabbath in each month after the evening service, and on the third
Sabbath after the morning service.
The Deacons are eight in number—viz., Messrs. W. Baynes, W. Knight,
Charles Chambers, Dr. Pennell, Dr. Manning; Messrs. Catchpole, Hunt, and
Healy.