THIS is the smallest place of worship we have yet had to notice, being
apparently intended for the sole use of the occupants of that obscure
court in North-street, called Sloane-place. North-street branches out of
Sloane-street, and runs through a very low neighbourhood; and in about
the lowest part of it, densely populated, is the court down which one
passes to reach the chapel. It is at the extreme end of the parish
eastward. The chapel has an aspect in every way in keeping with the
humble class of tenements among which it stands, and of course has
nothing architecturally to notice. It has a lamp over the low front
door, which may serve in the stead of a parish lamp, to illumine the
gloomy alley on dark evenings. The building has a dwarfed and dingy
appearance; was from the first, is, and perhaps ever will be private
property, lent for its present purpose by the proprietor. It will hold
at the utmost only 100 persons. There is no settled pastorate; but it is
supplied with preaching on the Sunday evening only, under the direction
of the Rev. Dr. Alexander, of the Belgrave-square Presbyterian Church.
The preacher is usually Dr. Stewart, of Grosvenor-street, a medical
gentleman belonging to Dr. Alexander’s church. This Christian doctor is
regularly at his post on Sunday evenings, except an extraordinary
professional engagement hinder, holding forth the Word of Life to the few
poor people who assemble beneath the humble roof. There are no regular
ordinances and no other public services, except a prayer-meeting on
Sunday morning and on Thursday evening. All the sittings are free. A
Sunday-school is a notable feature. Sixty or seventy poor children come
together in the chapel from 3 to 4.30 on Sunday afternoons, and are
attended to by a few zealous teachers who enter heartily into this work.
Poor and humble as the building is in itself and all its surroundings, it
is thus undoubtedly a light shining in a dark place. The self-denial and
devotion of those kind persons who attend to Christian work in this place
is quite exemplary, and will certainly meet with its reward.