Primitive Methodists, residing in the neighbourhood of York Road,
with the view of having their hearts knitted more closely together in
holy love by Christian fellowship and prayer, met from house to house
for this purpose to worship God--In this way they continued to meet
till the year 1858, when the Firm of Orlando Jones & Co. gave them
the use of their Reading Room. Here as elsewhere they preached the
Gospel of Jesus Christ and their numbers steadily increased. In 1870, a
piece of land was secured in Knox Road, and the firm above mentioned,
helped them to erect an Iron Chapel with a School-room underneath.
This building having stood beyond the time allowed by Government was
condemned by the Board of Works. It was opened in June 1871, and was
finally closed in September 1880. About this time the Estate of the
Late Rev. I. M. Soule was sold, and an effort was made to secure a plot
of land thereon, situated in Plough Lane. The freehold site selected,
was purchased, and a substantial brick Chapel with School-room
underneath erected at a cost of £2,300. The Chapel will accommodate
400 worshippers. It was opened October 24th, 1880, on which occasion
Sermons were preached by the Rev. J. Baxter. I will command My blessing
upon you--Lev. 25. 21.
Command Thy blessing from above,
O God on all assembled here:
Behold us with a Father's love
While we look up with filial fear.
Command thy blessing Jesus, Lord,
May we thy true disciples be;
Speak to each heart the Mighty Word,
Say to the weakest, follow me.
Command thy blessing in this hour,
Spirit of Truth and fill the place
With wondering and with healing power,
With quickening and confirming grace.
With Thee and these forever found,
May all the Souls who here unite,
With harps and songs Thy throne surround,
Rest in Thy love, and reign in light.
ST. GEORGE'S MISSION HALL, Stewart's Lane, formerly belonged to the
Primitive Methodists, and was used by them as a chapel.
"Glory, honour, praise and power
Be unto the Lamb for ever;
Jesus Christ is our Redeemer,
Hallelujah! Amen."
"Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark
ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the
generations following. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he
will be our guide even unto death."-_Psalms xlviii._ 12-14.
[Illustration]
BATTERSEA CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH (Independent), Junction of Bridge Road
and Surrey Lane South, fifteen minutes' walk from Clapham Junction and
York Road Stations, ten minutes' from Battersea Station; is an edifice
constructed of Kentish rag with Bath stone dressings, and has a tower
with spire at the north end of the building. The interior is spacious
and lofty; the pews are made of pitch-pine, varnished, and will
accommodate, including the seats in the south gallery, 600 persons.
Cost of erection £4,500. H. Fuller, Architect; F. W. Sawyer, Builder.
With respect to its history, this is the first Congregational Church
in Battersea. It owes its origin to the Surrey Congregational Union,
under whose directions services were held in the Lammas-Hall previous
to the erection of the previous Church building. The Foundation Stone
was laid by the Rev. J. G. Rogers, B. A., of Clapham, September 17th
1866. It was opened Tuesday, October 12th, 1867, and the Dedication
Service was conducted by the Rev. Samuel Martin, of Westminster. The
present is the third pastoral settlement, the first minister being the
Rev. J. Scott James, of Cheshunt College, who commenced his ministry in
Battersea. In 1870 the Rev. J. S. James resigned to take the Pastorate
of the Church at Stratford-on-Avon, and was succeeded April, 1871, by
the Rev. Joseph Shaw, of Boston, Lincolnshire. In 1878 the Rev. Joseph
Shaw resigned and was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas Jarratt, the present
Pastor.
The Sunday School and Lecture Hall, with class-room adjoining, was
opened in April, 1874. The entire cost of the building, furnishing,
heating, lighting, and fencing the ground was £510, the whole of which
was discharged July, 1875. Of this amount a generous friend gave £300
through the Rev. Joseph Shaw; and thirty-two pounds were contributed by
the Sunday School Children. The room will seat 300 persons.
The "Church Manual" for 1870 states "This is Congregational, we
regarding the New Testament as the only infallible guide in matters
of Church order, and learning from it that each Church is authorized
to elect its officers, receive and dismiss its members, and act
authoritatively and conclusively upon all questions affecting its
purity and administration. We recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as
our King and Sole Ruler in spiritual things, and His Word as our
Statute-Book and only Standard. The membership. We believe this should
be composed only of regenerated persons who are received into the
Church on profession of their faith in Christ, or by letters from
sister Church. Members of other churches, acting on this principle, are
also received on their producing proper certificates. Candidates for
membership should make their application direct to the Pastor. Deacons,
Mr. John Allen, Mr. Thomas C. Tabor; Treasurer, Mr. Samuel James
Roberts; Secretary, Mr. Edwin John Eason."
The seats are free, not sold or rented, but are allotted for family
convenience and to preserve order. The revenues of the Church are
chiefly derived from the weekly free-will offerings of the church and
congregation.
"How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts."-_Psalm lxxxiv._ 1.
"The Hill of Zion yields
A thousand sacred sweets,
Before we reach the heavenly fields
Or walk the golden streets."
STORMONT ROAD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Lavender Hill.
The Schools are in connexion with the above place, where the worship
is at present conducted. They are built from designs by J. H. Vernon
Esq., and are capable of accommodating 450 scholars. There are eight
class-rooms, and there is every convenience for carrying on Sunday
School work.
The site, which is freehold, as is also the adjoining one for the
future Church was the gift of the London Congregational Union. The cost
of the school buildings was £2820. The foundation stone was laid on
July 27th, 1878, by J. Kemp Welch Esq., and the buildings were opened
on February 18th 1879, when Sermons were preached by the Revs. R. W.
Dale of Birmingham, and Dr. Raleigh. A Church is now being formed under
the Pastorate of the Rev. R. Bulmer, late of Whitby, who commenced his
ministry on Sunday the 2nd of October, last. It is proposed to commence
the building of the Church as soon as possible. The building according
to plans will seat 850. The whole of the Christian work in connection
with the above place is in a very active state, and include Band of
Hope, and Improvement Societies.
WESLEYAN METHODISM IN BATTERSEA.--It is not easy to determine the time
of the first appearance of Methodism in Battersea. From Mr Wesley's
Journal it appears that in his later years he was accustomed to pay
an annual visit to this neighbourhood, including Chelsea, Wandsworth
and Balham. In the absence of any definite record of the matter we may
assume that some persons in Battersea came under his influence. A half
century elapsed before the Methodist Society found a local habitation
in Battersea, even then, not destined to be a permanent one. A small
Chapel, chiefly at the cost of the late Rev. J. Partes Haswell, was
erected on the site of the present one in the Bridge Road West in 1846;
the foundation stone being laid by the late Mr. Scott of Chelsea, and
the works being executed by Mr John Sugden, Builder, of Bermondsey New
Road.
The building was let to the late Mr. J. Boughton and others, for the
use of the Wesleyan Society by Mr. Haswell, and it continued in their
occupation until 1855. The agitations which disturbed the Wesleyan
Connexion in 1851 and following years were felt with great severity
in Battersea. The congregation and Society were so weakened by the
separation that took place, that the Lessees, after allowing the Chapel
to be occupied for a time by the seceding party, finally surrendered
their lease into Mr. Haswell's possession again.
In the meantime, however the Wesleyan Society, began to recover from
the great depression into which it had fallen; and in 1858, on their
behalf, Messrs. Bell and Molineux, with the late Mr. Holloway of
Battersea, took the former Chapel on a short lease from the persons
into whose hands it had passed; and ultimately it was purchased by a
duly appointed body of Trustees in 1862.
In 1864, aided by a munificent donation of £425 from Mr. J. Steadman of
South Lambeth, and by other liberal contributions, the Trustees were
enabled greatly to enlarge the building, nearly doubling its former
area; and finally in 1871, it was brought to a state of completion, by
the erection of a Gallery and an Organ, with other minor improvements.
It now furnishes accommodation for 700 people.
The usual congregation amounts to about 500, of whom more than 300 are
members of the "Society."
The Rev G. Bowden, and the Rev. E. Hawken, are the present circuit
ministers, the latter being resident in Battersea, and taking special
charge of the Wesleyan Church there.
The usual times of service on Sundays are, 11 o'clock in the morning,
and 6.30 in the evening. There are also Weekly Prayer Meetings on
Sunday mornings at 7 a.m.; and on Monday evenings at 7 p.m.; and a
Week-night service on Tuesday evenings at the same hour.
In 1870, in view of the growing Educational necessities of the
Wesleyan Body, the General Wesleyan Education Committee decided on
the establishment of another Training College, in addition to that
which they had in Westminster. Circumstances led to the placing of
this on the Southlands estate, near the Battersea High Street Railway
Station. It furnishes accommodation for 110 female Students, who are
under training for the Office of Teachers; and who in due time are
employed in all parts of the kingdom in Schools under Inspection. They
constitute, it need hardly be said a very interesting portion of the
congregation. The Rev. G. W. Olver, B.A., is the Principal, and Mr.
James Bailey the Headmaster of the College.
A Sunday School with 280 Scholars in average attendance meets twice
on each Sunday, and is conducted with more than the usual efficiency.
There are also the customary benevolent and religious agencies
maintained by the Wesleyan Church here; and Day Schools for Girls and
Infants are connected with Southlands Training College.[1]--W.S.
[Footnote 1: In olden time this place was called the "Retreat," a
spacious mansion, stuccoed, situated in the midst of an extensive
pleasure ground and shrubbery it belonged to Valentine Morris,
Esq.--but when Sir George Pollock became the occupier he changed the
name to that of Southlands, jocosely punning at the same time upon its
former name by saying that he _never made a retreat_. Afterwards Sir
George Pollock removed to Clapham Common. Near it stood Manor House the
seat of Richard Morris Esq. Son of Valentine Morris Esq. a large brick
edifice in the style of George the First's reign.]
O happy souls that pray
Where God delights to hear!
O happy men that pay
Their constant service there!
They praise thee still; and happy they
Who love the way to Sion's hill.
They go from strength to strength,
Through this dark vale of tears,
Till each o'ercomes at length,
Till each in heaven appears:
O glorious seat! Thou God, our King,
Shall thither bring our willing feet.
We know for certain Battersea on one occasion was honoured with the
preaching of the Rev. John Wesley as recorded in one of his Journals,
dated November 4, 1766, wherein this indefatigable servant of Christ
states, "I preached at Brentford, _Battersea_, Deptford and Welling,
and examined the several societies." His Journals state that he
preached repeatedly at Wandsworth, as the following extracts will show.
Wednesday, November 16, 1748. "In the afternoon I preached to a little
company at Wandsworth who had just begun to seek God; but they had a rough
setting-out, the rabble gathering from every side, whenever they met together
throwing dirt and stones, and abusing both men and women in the grossest
manner. They complained of this to a neighbouring Magistrate, and he promised
to do them justice; but Mr. C. walked over to his house, and spoke so much in
favour of the rioters, that they were all discharged. It is strange, that a
mild, humane man could be persuaded by speaking quite contrary to the truth,
(means as bad as the end) to encourage a merciless rabble in outraging the
innocent! A few days after, Mr. C., walking over the same field, dropped down
and spoke no more! Surely the mercy of God would not suffer a well-meaning man
to be any longer a fool to persecutors."
Tuesday, January 17, 1758, "I preached at Wandsworth, a gentleman come
from America, has again opened a door in this desolate place. In the
morning I preached in Mr Gilbert's house. Two Negro servants of his,
and a Mulatto, appear to be much awakened. Shall not his (God's) saving
health be made known to all nations?"
Thursday, 8th February, 1770, the Rev. John Wesley writes, "I went to
Wandsworth. What a proof we have here that 'God's thoughts are not our
thoughts!' Every one thought that no good could be done here; we had
tried for above twenty years, very few would even give us the hearing,
and the few that did seemed little the better for it. But all of a
sudden crowds flocked to hear; many are cut to the heart; many filled
with peace and joy in believing; many long for the whole image of God.
In the evening, though it was a sharp frost, the room was as hot as a
stove, and they drank in the word with all greediness, and also at five
in the morning, while I applied 'Jesus put forth his hand and touched
him, saying I will: be thou clean!'"
Previously to the erection of the present commodious Wesleyan Chapel
in Bridge Road West, the friends of the Wesleyan Communion met for
worship in a large upper room over a carpenter's shop in King Street.
Subsequently they removed to premises now belonging to Mr. G. King,
Ironmonger, in the vicinity of Surrey Lane.
John Cullum, an artist by profession, who resided in Battersea, was
connected with the Wesleyan-Methodists. He was a zealous Open-air
Preacher and Temperance Advocate. It is said that he was the first
person who introduced _Teetotalism_ in Battersea and held meetings for
that object. He died in 1852, aged 51 years.
This good man kept a record of important events which had transpired
in Battersea. From a manuscript of his, entitled "The Antiquities
of Battersea," the following extract is taken--it will be read with
interest.
"There is also a Wesleyan Chapel and Society here, which originated
at a small house in Bridge Road, near the Bridge, after which it was
removed to Mr Steadman's yard, in which a large room was fitted up for
Divine Worship, and a School formed under the fostering care of Mr.
Lark and Mr. Bridge, assisted by other zealous female teachers. In
conformity with the principles of Mr. Wesley the Society has, under
God's blessing, increased from one Class to three Classes, besides a
Sunday School which is in a flourishing condition. Mr. T. Boughton, the
present Superintendent, is assisted by twelve male and female teachers
who still persevere in the good work of instructing the young. The
present Chapel was built in King Street and was considered necessary
both from the fact that there was not room for the persons who
assembled for worship and other circumstances relative to the Society
at that time. The Chapel was opened by three sermons being preached on
Sunday, October 11, 1840, by the Rev. W. Atherton, Rev. J. P. Haswell,
and the Rev. J. Scott. And on Monday evening, October 12, a meeting
of the Friends connected with the Chapel was held, at which the Rev.
J. P. Haswell presided, one of the chief friends to the cause at this
place. The object of the meeting was to excite a spirit of enquiry with
respect to the ministry of the Word and Christian instruction of youth
in order to benefit the morals of the neighbourhood and salvation of
souls.
"There is connected with this Chapel a Stranger's Friend Society,
whose object is to search out the most forlorn and distressing cases
of poverty and sickness. Its plan is carried out by Visitors who read
to the sick a portion of the Holy Scriptures and engage in prayer with
them, and by conversation and tracts endeavour to instruct so as to
lead the heart to the Saviour, and relieve their temporal wants by
affording them food, &c. rather than money. Many instances of good
have been the result, and the conversion of some to the truth. Its
founders were Messrs. Cooper and Stanley, Wandsworth; its present
officers, Messrs. Stedman and Evans, Secretary and Treasurer, Cullum,
Bridge, Winter, &c., Battersea. There is a small Branch of the Wesleyan
Missionary Society carried on here--a Tract Society, &c. May the Lord
prosper the work that many may be enlightened by the Gospel of Jesus
Christ and made partakers of his great Salvation."
METHODISTIC CHRONOLOGY.
1703, June 17. The Rev. John Wesley born.
1725, Sept. 19. Mr. Wesley ordained by Bishop Potter.
1735, Oct. 14. Mr. Wesley sailed as a Missionary for America.
1739. The Wesleyan-Methodist society established.
1744, June 25. The first Methodist Conference held in London.
1751, April 24. Mr. Wesley preached his first sermon in Scotland, at
Musselburgh.
1769. Messrs. Boardman and Pilmoor sailed for America.
1784. The "Deed of Declaration" enrolled in the Court of Chancery.
1785, Aug. 14. The Rev. John Fletcher died.
1786. The Methodist Missions in the West Indies established.
1788, Mar. 29. The Rev. Charles Wesley died.
1791, Mar. 2. The Rev. John Wesley died.
1814, May 3. Dr. Coke died on his passage to Ceylon.
1821, Feb. 16. The Rev. Joseph Benson died.
1832, Aug. 26. Dr. Adam Clark died.
1833, Jan. 8. The Rev. Richard Watson died, in the 53rd year of his
age.
1834. The Wesleyan Theological Institution established.
1838. Members in the Methodist society, 1,062,427.
1839. Centenary of Wesleyan Methodism.
The first Œcumenical Methodist Conference held in London September,
1881.
WESLEYAN CHAPEL, QUEEN'S ROAD.--The following is a brief account of the
rise and progress of Wesleyan Methodism in this neighbourhood. In the
year 1871, in the order of God's providence, a good man and his wife
removed from the Great Queen's Street Circuit to Frederick Street, now
known as Newby Street, Wandsworth Road. On October 17, 1871, they very
kindly opened their houses for a class meeting, to be held in connexion
with the Society of which they were members. Here on Sunday, December
3rd of the same year, the first preaching Service was conducted. As the
room became inconveniently crowded at the Sunday Services it was felt
that a more suitable place was needed, so after a short time a
Billiard Room capable of holding 150 persons, situated at No. 588,
Wandsworth Road, was secured, and on April 21, 1872, was opened for
Public Worship. On June 2nd, about 30 children were garnered in and
a Sunday School commenced. Notwithstanding the unsuitableness of the
place and other difficulties which had to be surmounted, the work of
the Lord was carried on in this place until February, 1879; in the
meanwhile however, strenuous efforts were made in order to obtain an
eligible piece of ground on which to erect a more commodious building.
In 1878, the freehold site situated in Queen's Road, was purchased for
£1,140, and a temporary Iron Chapel erected, with seats for 500, at a
cost of about £600, this temporary Sanctuary was opened February 14th,
1879. This Structure while making ample provision at first was soon
found to be inadequate to meet the requirements of a neighbourhood
where the population was large and rapidly increasing, hence the
Trustees and Friends endeavoured to raise £4,000, by means of grants
and loans from the late Sir Francis Lycett's Fund, the Metropolitan
Chapel Fund, etc., towards the entire outlay of about £7,000, (the
estimated cost of the permanent building etc.) leaving about £3,000, to
be raised by funds in the Lambeth Circuit. On August 28th, 1881, the
New School-Room which holds about 320 persons, was opened for Public
Worship and Sunday School purposes. The Iron Chapel having been sold to
make way for the New Chapel now in course of erection which is expected
to be opened for Divine Service about May 1882.
On Friday July 15th, 1881, the Memorial Stone was laid at 3 o'clock, by
Lady Lycett, when the Rev. G. W. Olver, B. A., gave an address.
By express desire of the Local Committee the Italian Style has been
adopted, and the building will be erected in Bath Stone and Picked
Stocks--Sitting accommodation for 1,000 will be provided, on the
ground floor 650, and in the galleries 350. Adjoining the Chapel large
School-Rooms have been erected with Vestry, Class-Rooms, and the
usual offices. The Architect is Mr. James Weir, of the Strand. James
Holloway, Builder, Marmion Road, Lavender Hill. "_That thine eyes may
be open upon this house day and night._" 2. _Chron. vi._ 20.
Christ is our corner stone,
On him alone we build;
With his true saints alone
The Courts of heaven are filled;
On his great Love Our hopes we place
Of present grace and joy above.
O! then with hymns of praise
These hallowed courts shall ring;
Our voices we will raise
The Three in one to sing;
And thus proclaim in joyful song,
Both Loud and Long, that glorious Name.
Here gracious God do Thou
For evermore draw nigh;
Accept each faithful vow,
And mark each suppliant sigh,
In copious shower on all who pray
Each holy day Thy blessing pour.
Here may we gain from heaven
Thy grace which we implore:
And may that grace once given,
Be with us evermore:
Until that day, when all the blest
To endless rest are called away.
FREE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, Queen's Crescent, Queen's Road. Some 6 years
or more ago, Mr. Crosby began the above work in Arthur Street Mission
Hall, a small Hall situated in the lowest part of Battersea, and
the work under his superintendence has been so manifestly owned and
blessed of God, that it was some time since deemed imperative on his
part as the Lord's steward, to seek further to extend this effort in
His cause. As far as the means of himself and friends allowed, and in
the exercise of much consecrated faith and self-denial, a plot of land
was secured, and an iron building erected adjacent to the most needy
part of the neighbourhood, where the extended work is now carried on.
The building, however, is of a temporary character, the Board of Works
granting a license only of two years on iron buildings, and according
to an agreement entered into in faith of the Lord's continued favour,
a brick building must be erected in the course of 4 years. The present
building, owing to the speedy growth of the work is even now too small.
An effort is being made to purchase the freehold, and erect a building
capable of holding about 700 persons, at an estimated cost of £2,750.
W. Crosby, Pastor, E. V. Kelly, Treasurer.