The Church Index / A Book of Metropolitan Churches and Church Enterprise: Part I. Kensington

A pleasant walk on a Sunday morning from westward, through that fashionable part of Kensington known as the Addison-road and Warwick-gardens, brings us to the Church of St. Philip, which stands at the corner where the Earl’s-court and Pembroke-roads join.  It is a brick structure in the perpendicular decorated style belonging to the fifteenth century; and as, with its modest spire, it comes into view, and the worshippers slowly moving up every main approach, in response to the “church-going bell,” the whole produces a very pleasing effect.  As one silently views the interior a somewhat mystical impression imperceptibly steals upon him.  The architect, Mr. Thomas Johnson, of Lichfield, would appear to have studied and followed out the ideal of a former period in the details generally.  This is especially seen in the windows, the arcades, &c.  The nave has a lofty aspect, much more so than would be expected from the exterior view.

This church was built in 1858, and its district taken principally out of St. Barnabas, with a small portion from the old Kensington parish.  It originally had accommodation for 1,000, but, in consequence of the increasing demand, it was enlarged in 1862 to 1,400 sittings, 500 of which are free.  The cost of both the original building and the subsequent enlargement has been almost entirely borne by the Vicar, the Rev. J. Dickson Claxton, M.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, he having been aided only to the amount of 1,400l. or 1,500l. in subscriptions, which were towards the first erection.  The enlargement was carried out at his own sole cost.  The great need of this was manifest from the magic rapidity with which population increased in the neighbourhood of the church.  It stood at 8,000 until recently—the spring of 1869—when the formation of the sub-district of St. Matthias reduced it to 5,000.  But so rapid is the growth that it has already again risen to fully 6,000.  There is at present but one curate, the Rev. J. C. Sykes, B.A., of Queen’s College, Cambridge.

Three schools are in part connected with the church, being maintained in conjunction with St. Barnabas, and containing altogether upwards of 600 children.

The other charities maintained alone by St. Philip’s are several.  There are “A Provident Fund and District Visiting Charity,” a “Maternity Charity,” “Work Charity,” “Soup Charity,” “Blanket Charity,” and “Old Clothing Charity.”  Taking the year round it would seem that a large amount of temporal comfort most be distributed over the poorer parts of the district by these benevolent operations.  The church itself contains several objects of interest worthy of note.  There is a splendid reredos of Caen stone and alabaster, and a peculiarly handsome altar-rail of vert antique and alabaster.  Over the altar is a beautiful stained window by Heaton and Butler, at the west end an immense and magnificent one to the memory of the late Lord Holland, also two other small memorial windows, all by the same firm.  The organ is a superior instrument by Walker, of the Tottenham-court road, and cost upwards of 600l.  It is played by Mrs. Higgins—whose husband holds the post of master over a choir without surplices, chiefly voluntary, aided by a few paid voices.  Under the same direction there a large choral association connected with church.  The services are principally, through not exclusively, Anglican.  In the morning the responses are intoned, and at night the choral is adopted.  Daily prayer at 9.30 a.m. and 5 p.m.  On Sundays there is a children’s service at 9.30 a.m., and full service at 11 a.m., 3.30 p.m., and at 7 p.m.  The weekly offertory, and proceeds of the Communion Service twice a month, are solely relied upon for the maintenance of the charities and church expenses, in lieu of church rates.

The vestments of the clergy are of the simplest and most irreproachable kind, and the performance of the service according to the order of the Common Prayer.  There is certainly no trifling with rubrics, and no need for dexterous evasion of ecclesiastical injunctions.  Yet the service we attended was earnest and solemn.  The curate read audibly, and the preacher, who happened not to be the Vicar, was scholarly and Evangelical.  But, on the whole, the service might be deemed a little too quiet to be a perfect model of what a service in our English Church should be.  As to the general ministry under the Rev. J. D. Claxton, whom we had not the pleasure of hearing in propria persona, its effects must be taken as proofs of its acceptableness and usefulness.  Commencing, as we understand, with an original congregation of ninety, he has had the gratification of seeing it increase to 1,400, and that, too, whilst so many other churches and chapels have risen all around.  The congregation appeared to our eye to bear that settled and orderly aspect which is one of the readiest proofs of ministerial success and pastoral fidelity; and not the least pleasing feature was the large number of the poorer people who filled the free seats, and regarded with attention and reverence every part of the service.  An official kept the door, who cannot be termed a verger, scarcely a beadle, but who, if he had no rod or robe, or staff, had a coat with bright buttons fixed upon a brown cloth.  He handed the stranger over to the care of a matronly-looking female inside, with a white cap, who very courteously led the way to a seat.  When there, the general effect upon us undoubtedly was that we were in a church of the people—one where the people were to be found quite at home in their worship of the Creator, and free from the stiffness and restraint of more tinselled and conventional forms.

St. Stephen’s, close to the Queen’s-gate-gardens in the Gloucester-road, South Kensington, is a very handsome and well-proportioned church, and is a pretty object seen from the Cromwell-road.  The composition of its west front is remarkably good, and indeed there exists an agreeable harmony in the design and in the quiet general tone of colour in the stone of which it is built that is pleasing to the eye.  There is a refined look about the building, and perhaps it would not be too much to say that it seems accustomed to good society.  To the architect there are some portions of the detail rather interesting.  The cloistered doorways beneath the buttresses, the triplet and rose-windows of the east front, and the north porch and back turret are all worthy of remark.  The interior is exceedingly effective and elegant.  Again the harmony strikes one as perfect; there is a peaceful influence produced by the quiet colouring and grey columns and excellent proportions of the church, such as ought to belong to the house of God.  There is nothing glaring, nothing particular to arrest or attract the eye, yet every part is worthy of inspection, and the parts taken together produce one of the best and most exquisitely charming interiors with which we are acquainted in this neighbourhood.  The plan of the church may be said to be cruciform, and is divided into a nave and aisles, north and south transepts, and chancel and aisles.  The grey columns of the nave support the arcades and clerestory, and the light nave roof springs from angel-corbelled columns.  The chancel arch is well-proportioned, and the dog-tooth enrichments harmonise with the caps of the columns.  The chancel is parted from the aisles by light screens supported by alabaster columns, and on the north side above the screen is the organ loft, and the south side is occupied by a gallery.  The chancel itself is simply decorated, the Communion-table space without any colouring other than of the softest kind.  Three figures of saints occupy the triplet—St. Stephen filling the centre, and St. John and St. Paul the side lights; the rose window over has the Saviour in His Ascension scene.  The stone pulpit on the north side of the chancel arch is well designed, and its little alabaster and coloured marble columns relieve the still colour of the stone.  The font, of similar design, occupies a slight recess in the baptistry, close to the north porch door.  An octagonal vestry is at the south east angle of the church.  A new west gallery is not exactly an improvement to the effect.  The pewing and stall seats are of good design.  The passages are floored with tiles of simple pattern.  The architecture is early English.

The one drawback to the external appearance of this church is its want of relative elevation.  Its base appears to drop about two feet below the level of the roads and ways which form its approaches.  The fault was that of the architect, who did not calculate on the effect of making-up roads where they had not previously existed.  In 1866, when the church was built, that part of South Kensington was only beginning to open up.  The base of the edifice should, therefore, have been raised.  But instead of this the architect appears to have proceeded in utter disregard of the near and certain future of the locality.  The result is that whereas originally steps upward were required to enter by the gates, it is now necessary to descend in reaching the interior; and a flat and depressed aspect is thus given to a building which would otherwise have been a most prominent and pleasing object in the view.  We understand it is intended to add a spire to the edifice very shortly, and this will probably somewhat relieve to the eye the defect of which we have spoken.

The church was built under the ministry of the Rev. J. A. Aston, M.A., to replace an iron church which for some time he occupied on the opposite side of the road.  The same continued minister until the autumn of 1870, when he was succeeded by the present officiating minister, the Rev. J. P. Waldo, M.A.  The progress made under Mr. Aston’s pastorate is seen from the circumstance that it was found necessary in two or three years to increase the accommodation by the building of galleries on the west and south sides.  This work was completed in March, 1870, at a cost of 600l., by Mr. Aldin, of Queen’s-gate-place.  The cost of the whole, when completed, we are told will not be less than 20,000l., a very high figure when it is considered that the church has no more land than that on which it stands, and the narrow bare paths around it.  There are about 1,150 sittings, which let at an average of 2l. 2s. per annum each, leaving about 150 sittings free—1,300 in all, which appear to be well occupied by a congregation of a superior class.  Out of the pew-rents and collections the clergy and the church are supported.  There are temporary day and Sunday schools attached, situated in the Queen’s-gardens, near the site, where from one to two hundred children are instructed.  The organ is very ably played by Mr. Lowe.  The choir is composed of both males in plain dress and females.

CHRIST CHURCH, SOUTH KENSINGTON.

This church, which stands at the foot of the Victoria road, might have been much better placed, so as to be seen in perspective, which indeed its near appearance would warrant.  Its fair and well-proportioned tower and spire would then have formed a striking object, and might have been visible even from Kensington-gardens.  Could it be lifted out of the pit in which it seems to nestle at the dark end of a road which is no thoroughfare, and out of its unsightly surroundings in Cornwall-gardens, it would be an immense benefit to the mere appearance of the building.  The building in itself is generally very simple, but not without effect.  It is built of ragstone with bath-stone dressings, and covered with slate.  The enclosure is nicely planted, neatly kept, and fenced with dwarf walls.  Internally the church is unimposing.  The nave and aisles are surmounted by a heavy-looking but plain roof—without clerestory lights.  The tower space on the north side of the chancel, is occupied as an organ chamber.  The chancel is quite plain and without aisles.  In the windows, which are of good design and filled with glass of geometrical patterns, there is an absence of stained glass and decoration; which in reality the church requires, to relieve that tame and cold look, which some day might be slightly altered with advantage.  A large gallery at the west end does not tend to lighten the interior aspect of the church; nor do the exposed heating pipes, which it would be better to conceal from view.  The font, pulpit, and pewing are of plain design, and the passages are paved with red and black tiles, laid diagonally.  Christ Church is a chapelry of ease to the parish church of St. Mary Abbotts, Kensington, or rather a trust chapel, served by the Venerable Archdeacon Sinclair, Vicar of Kensington.  It was opened and consecrated July 23, 1851, by Bishop Blomfield.  The present officiating ministers are the Rev. W. Wright, the morning and evening preacher, who has been curate since 1855, and is now termed the “senior curate.”  The Rev. E. T. Carey is the second curate and afternoon preacher, and entered upon his duty in 1869.  Both ministers are much esteemed; and from the impressions of our visit the estimation in which they are held is well founded.  Mr. Carey read the prayers and lessens in good voice, and with an evident mental appreciation of their religious sense and application.  Mr. Wright officiated in the Communion Service and preached the sermon.  His voice is penetrating, if not full, and leaves the most dull-eared without excuse.  His sermon was an able and faithful exposition of Psalms 142 and 4th verse—“Refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.”  The distinction between the circumstances of the Psalmist and his times and our own was finely drawn.  In the former case every incident of temporal life—adverse or favourable—was interpreted as a certain indication of the Divine favour or displeasure.  With us it was not so much so.  We had in general every spiritual advantage; although there were yet some, as at the East-end of London, who, from the scarcity of religious provision, might still say, “No man careth for my soul.”  In short we quite thought we were listening to a charity sermon; and after so touching an appeal on behalf of the spiritually destitute, prepared ourselves for a collection.  Mr. Wright, however, has our best thanks for touching in so delicate a manner a very sensitive chord in our moral nature.

ST. MARY’S, WEST BROMPTON.

The Church of St. Mary, West Brompton, from its position in the centre of the Boltons, can be seen from many points of view to great advantage.  It is in the decorated Gothic style, and is an exceedingly good specimen of the Revival of Gothic architecture, having been built some fifteen years ago.  Built in the shape of a cross, its tower and spire rise at the intersection of the nave, chancel, and transepts, and are in excellent proportion.  The spire is octagonal, and is terminated at its junction with the tower by a pierced parapet with angels at the angles.  The octagonal portion of the tower is continued downwards below the tower lights, when it becomes square, with corbelled angels at the four corners.  The west front is well designed, and surmounted by a corbelled bell turret, in which hang the only two bells the church possesses, though there would appear to be ample room in the empty tower for a chime.  The ragstone of which the church is built, with Bath stone tracing and dressings, has now enough of age to give a softened look to the exterior generally, and the young spring foliage and well-kept surrounding gardens lend their aid to make a rather pretty picture.  Internally the church is effective, especially the view from the west end; but the absence of the usual nave arcades and aisle give a long, narrow look to the church, and take from the idea of its size, as at this point the transepts cannot in any way be seen.  The nave roof is heavy, and the apostle corbels that support it too large and too near the eye to be in good taste.  The choir stalls have lately been extended westwards under the tower space, and the pulpit, of very peculiar design, being more properly a rostrum, though by no means unsightly, stands at the north side of the nave arch, and a recently-erected gallery across the north transept contains the organ.  The small vestry is at the north-east angle of the church.  The chancel has lately been redecorated and made to agree with the usual arrangements of the Anglican school of worship.  The stained glass in the east windows is poor, representing the Ascension some geometrical patterns fill some of the other windows, likewise of a very poor character.  The pewing is very plain, and the passages are paved with tiles.  The stone font is large and very well executed.  The church, as we before said, is a Revival church, and as such it would be unfair to criticise it too much; but, on the contrary, much praise is due to the architect, Mr. Godwin, for giving so fair a specimen of Gothic work when the art was at so low an ebb.

There are connected with this church, a National School, situated in the Chelsea-grove, Fulham-road, and a Sunday-school, containing about one hundred scholars; and it is a pleasing circumstance that the ordinary afternoon service on Sunday is given to the children, and is called the “Children’s Service,” consisting of the Litany and catechising.  There is also a lending library in the schoolroom, where books are given out and exchanged every Monday between twelve and one o’clock, the subscription being only one penny per month.  There are District Visitors, and a “Mother’s Meeting” is held at the Vicarage on Mondays from 3 to 5 p.m.  There are also a Maternal Charity, Coal, Clothing, Shoe, and Blanket Clubs, and even a “Guild” or association for servants.  It is clear that the Rev. Mr. Du Boulay has laid himself out for extensive influence and usefulness, and, there is no reason to doubt, in all Christian sincerity.  But there are certain forms and ecclesiastical signs about his church arrangements which in many minds cause fear, lest his zeal should not in its effects prove to be of the purest Evangelical character.  We regret this very much, as the impression on our own minds of his personal spirit was most favourable.  It is of course within his power to remove anything from before his congregation that tends to impair his usefulness.  Experience will, no doubt, suggest to him that the Ritualistic line, or, what is really the same, the High Church, is not that in which a clergyman can now be so religiously useful as we are convinced Mr. Du Boulay desires to be.  He has daily matins at 8 a.m. and evening song at 5 p.m., choral celebrations at great festivals and on the third Sunday in every month; and the Litany on Wednesdays and Fridays at 11 a.m.  The musical arrangements for Easter Sunday, were very extensive and elaborate, and the music entirely Anglican.  Less singing, more genuine prayer, with able and earnest preaching, would, as many think and feel, be a vast improvement in the services of this church.  The choir is a partly paid one; and the organist, Mr. Buttery, of 173, Piccadilly, is highly esteemed both by the clergy and congregation, and no less so by the choir over which he presides.  There are 720 sittings, 220 of which are free.  There are no endowments; the church and services are supported by pew rents, valued at about 350l. per annum, and by the offertory, which raises about 440l. per annum.  The numerous charities and the schools, together with the Water-side Mission Association, and one in aid of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, all have their distinct funds and resources; not at present to any large extent, but all capable of extension.  There is a strong band of district visitors—consisting of fourteen or sixteen, chiefly ladies, with a few gentlemen, to whose care as many districts are allotted.

THE PRO-CATHEDRAL, KENSINGTON.

The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Victories, commonly called the Pro-Cathedral, situate in Newland-terrace, Kensington, is a very fine, yet simple structure in early English style of Gothic architecture; but is so hidden by the houses behind which it has been placed that the real effect of the building is lost, and one can therefore only make a guess at the probable general appearance.  The building is sufficiently lofty, however, to be easily seen from a distance, and its high-pitched and crested roof, with miniature angled and decorated spire, breaks up the sky line somewhat pleasingly.  Upon closer inspection the north front (the church is built N. and S.) possesses some very excellent detail.  The centre doorway is double, recessed and handsomely treated with polished granite shafts, and the doors are surmounted by a seated figure of the Saviour.  The buttresses with ancient pinnacles are effective, and the general treatment of this front, though executed in simple brick and stone, is very bold.  The architecture of the interior is also very boldly treated, and even more than the outside is strikingly plain—one might say white.  This is accounted for by the absence of stained glass and coloured decorations of any kind, a defect which we understand is now about to be remedied.  There are six altars besides the high altar.  Looking up the nave towards the latter, the effect is certainly very good, and the polished granite columns and carved stone caps surmounted by the lofty arcade and clerestory and simple roof together make up a very excellent interior.  The chancel is apsidal and has a groined ceiling, and is lighted by a very plain window on each side of the apse.  The aisles are interspersed with the altars and confessionals, and the altar to the Virgin has an elaborate reredos, over which are various figures, the centre one being, as the Roman Catholics say, “Our Lady.”  The organ, a very fine one, is mounted on granite columns at the north end of the nave, and is approached by a rather awkward open and spiral staircase, and the columns are confusing, which we do not think adds to the good effect of the church.  The font is very nice indeed and carved in relief; on the four sides are the emblems of the Evangelists; it has a handsome oak cover, but, like the building itself, is lost in a corner.  The benches are very plain, and the aisles are intended to be filled with chairs.  The pulpit is enormous, and we must say unsightly; and the gas standards, like the pulpit, strike one as being too large, and appear to offer great obstruction to sight and sound.

The movement for a new Roman Catholic Church in Kensington began about six years ago, on account of the small dimensions of the former chapel in Upper Holland-street.  The area of the latter was 71 ft. by 21 ft., that of the new church 144 ft. by 58 ft., making a difference of 6,861 square feet area; and the architect, J. Goldie, Esq., has made good use of the space at his disposal.  There are 820 seats, of which 180 are free.  The pews in the centre have 470 seats; the sides are occupied by chairs, and those on the right are free.  By an extension of the same system, the church can accommodate about 1,100 persons.  The works were commenced in 1867, and the church opened on July 2nd, 1869.  The total cost, including the organ, is about 27,000l.  Of this a considerable portion remains as a debt; which circumstance will prevent a most desirable improvement in the entry from the main road for some time to come.  At the opening Dr. Manning made it his Pro-Cathedral—i.e., the church which he would use instead of a cathedral, until his own should be finished.  The enterprise has been much assisted by the Very Rev. Mgr. Capel, the Travelling Chaplain of the Marquis of Bute, and the present principal priest of the church.  The other clergy attached are the Rev. R. F. Clarke and the Rev. James O’Connell.

On Easter Sunday—the great day of all the days in the year with the Catholics—at eleven a.m., commenced the performance of High Mass, and Archbishop Manning, as announced, was present, and preached the sermon.  The church was well attended, but not crowded.  There was no rush to obtain the “shilling” or “six-penny” seats, and a large number remained unlet to the end.  This charge for the seats probably kept many out; but it is understood to be a necessary measure, in consequence of the heavy debt on the place, the large current expenses of the services, and the general poverty of the people.  In the congregation were several notabilities; and far up towards the chancel the white hair and expressive features of Mr. Bellew, the well-known dramatic reader, were visible.  He was until recently a clergyman in the Church of England, and is now a layman in the Romish Church at this place.  It was impossible to repress a reflection on the score that the public reader in the pew and the principal actor in the scene were both during the better half of their days ministers in the Protestant Establishment.  The first view of the ceremony revealed a crowd of priests and mass attendants variously arrayed and employed.  One faced the altar at a little distance, swinging a censer vessel, to the time and motion of the pendulum of a clock.  During the ceremony he appeared several times in the same position and act.  A number, grouped round the Archbishop on his throne, having a gorgeous canopy and draped in scarlet and amber, were very busy in adjusting their vestments.  The movements, to the uninitiated, might seem a simple toilette operation, but were really part and parcel of the ceremony, every one having a symbolical allusion to the events of the commemoration.  Even the style and colour of the dresses were charmed by occult references, not traceable to the outsider.  Taking off the Archbishop’s mitre and replacing the tall cloven covering on his head, which occurred several times, was a great formality, performed by a priest with the most tender and reverent care, all the others devoutly witnessing.  The rising and stepping forth of the Archbishop, with his huge silver crook, to bow or prostrate himself before the altar, and to adore the sacrifice, were luminous points of interest, and brought into view a tout ensemble and tinsel of ornate worship never to be witnessed, except at High Mass in a Romish Church.  To describe all the acts of this most intricate and complicate ceremonial would not be possible in this article.  The flitting of acolytes with candles, the processions, the swinging of censers filled with incense, until the altar and chancel were enveloped in a cloud; the wafting of the perfume to the congregation till it reached the very limits of the church; kissing the altar, and all the mysterious movements thereat; the changes of books, the brief Latin recitations, the tinkling of bells, the elevation of the Host, all allied with perpetual animation, make up a whole which it is difficult, indeed, either to describe or understand.  To witness it lays very large demands both upon the patience and gravity of ordinary mortals, and is liable to trouble even the conscience of a genuine Protestant.

The choir accompanied the performance with the grand music of Mozart’s 7th Mass, Herr Carl Stepan singing the principal bass with admirable effect, and the treble being well sustained by the boys.  The organist is R. Sutton Swaby, Esq., of Gordon-cottages, Hammersmith.  This instrument, built by Messrs. Bryceson Bros., is classed among the finest of the day.  It has four manuals and a powerful pedal organ.  In all there are fifty-four stops, and the solo stops, including the voix celeste and the voix humaine, are considered particularly fine.  Mr. Swaby is master of a very superior instrument, and feels pleasure on Sunday evenings after service in giving the people an opportunity of hearing its different effects by playing a short selection of music in varied styles.  On Sunday morning the offertory was accompanied with the Hæc Dies, and the Hallelujah Chorus formed a grand voluntary at the end.  During the execution of this the Archbishop, crook in hand, the priests, and altar servants formed and walked in procession down the centre aisle and round the church to the side chapel, preceded by the acolytes with candles.  The prelate waved his hand as he went in token of blessing the people, and the chief priests bore his train.  Dr. Manning appeared in the closing scene to move feebly and to be well-nigh exhausted.

The Roman Catholic population of Kensington is from 1,800 to 2,000, a large proportion being of the poorer classes and principally the Irish residents.  Three poor schools are supported—a boys’ school in Upper Holland-street, educating about 70 or 80; a girls’ and infant school in Earl’s-court, educating about 50; of which more than half are reported to be Protestants; the third school (girls’ and infants’) is by Kensington-square, with about 150 children.  There are no district churches attached; but the clergy supply the convent in Kensington-square.

The congregation at the Pro-Cathedral is said to have greatly increased since the opening; and the collections now reach an average of 30l. per Sunday.

TRINITY CHURCH, BROMPTON.

Holy Trinity, Brompton, is a church beautiful for situation.  One cannot fail to be struck by the sudden change from town to country experienced on entering the long and pretty avenue by which it is approached, and in the perspective of which the vestry-door overgrown with ivy is seen.  We know of no other church in the metropolitan suburbs thus entered, and which has all disturbing sights and sounds so effectually shut out.  The church cannot be said to be beautiful as a Gothic structure, being of plain brick and stone, but in these days we are so spoilt that nothing seems to satisfy us; yet we must not forget that the church was built when Gothic architecture was not much studied and but little appreciated, so that, added to its woodland effect, it is only a wonder that it is Gothic at all.  Then, too, Professor Donaldson was the architect, who is now almost the father of his profession, and as such revered and respected by all.  The church has undergone very considerable alteration with regard to the interior.  The old high pewing has been substituted by low oak pewing of good design.  A very handsome font has been added, and three sides of the bowl are ornamented with well-cut diaper and the side towards the nave is occupied by a panel in relief, containing the appropriate figure of Jesus receiving little children.  The stem is formed of stout shafts of polished marble, and the foliated caps are freely executed.  A rose window in the east wall of the south gallery is a good feature added a few years since.  Some of the windows have been filled with stained glass; the font and rose windows are from designs by Mr. E. C. Hakewill.  The interior effect is very heavy, owing to the flatness of the nave ceiling and the galleries which surround three sides of the church; but much evidently has been done to relieve this, especially with the exposed timbers of the aisle roofs.  The plan of the church consists of a nave and aisles and a recess for the chancel at the east end, with a vestry.  The tower is at the west end, the space of which is occupied by the organ.

The present Vicar, the Rev. Thomas Fraser Stooks, M.A. (Cambridge), Prebendary of St. Paul’s, and Chaplain to the Lord Bishop of London, has not, to the present time, succeeded in refilling the church.  On Sunday morning last it was thinly attended, but we remembered it was a wet morning.  We are, however, informed by a constant attendant that it was quite an average congregation.  In that case the church is considerably behind the general run of suburban churches as to the numbers attending it.  But since this statement appeared in the Suburban Press it is but right to say that the editor has received the following from the Rev. W Conybeare Bruce: “While fully admitting that, owing to a variety of causes, into which it is not our place to enter here, our church is at present ‘considerably behind the general run of suburban churches as to the numbers attending it,’ I must, with the leave of a ‘Constant Attendant,’ distinctly state that the congregation on that particular Sunday was decidedly and evidently below the average.  This is a point on which I cannot be mistaken as it is my habit to take special notice of the numbers of each congregation.  You may, Sir, also accept it as a fact, on which I am sure you will congratulate us, that our congregations have increased, slowly but perceptibly, since the present Vicar’s accession.”

The Rev. Mr. Stooks has, it appears, taken his stand upon the question of the services.  He will have no intoning, increase of singing, or excessive ritual.  With High Churchism he has no compromise; and in so far is still wiser than his predecessor.  The prayers are read and the responses said, and the only touches of formality are on entering the Communion, when an Introit is sung, and in the passage to the pulpit, which is illuminated by the following of a gold-laced church beadle, bearing a massive silver-mounted staff on his shoulder.  The clergy, too, in addition to the surplice, wear rather a showy collegiate hood.  It is in one of a bright violet colour, and in another a rich crimson, and in a third black silk trimmed with fur.  The violet hood marks an Associate of King’s College, the crimson is the Oxford M.A. hood, and the black silk trimmed with white fur is the Oxford B.A. hood.  The organist, H. Lahee, Esq., did his work well, but was unassisted by anything in the shape of an effective choir.  There are three curates—among whom the Vicar himself did not appear on the occasion of our visit (April 16th).  The Rev. Nathaniel Liberty read the prayers, the Litany, and the Epistle very devoutly, but a little more power of voice would have made it still more impressive.  The Rev. W. Conybeare Bruce, B.A., read the first lesson, and the Rev. John Bliss, M.A., Senior Curate, read and preached the sermon.  The text was John xx. and 20th verse: “Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord.”  A beautiful text and seasonable, and commented upon with piety and Christian feeling.

At this church there are three general services on Sunday, at 11 a.m., 4 and 7 p.m., and Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday at 8 a.m., and at midday.  On week-days—morning and evening prayer daily at 8 and 5.  Litany on Wednesdays and Fridays at 12.  On holy days celebration of Holy Communion and an address, at 12.  The hymn-book used is “Hymns for Public Worship,” published under the direction of a Committee of the Religious Tract Society.  The church, since the abolition of church-rates, is supported entirely by the pew rents, offertory, collections, and subscriptions.  The first source of income is appropriated for the clergy exclusively; one reason, assuredly, why the pews should be well occupied.  The income from other sources is applied for the maintenance of the church, its services and accessories.  Brompton is a fine field for Christian labour; and situated as Holy Trinity is, in the midst of a vast population composed of all classes, from the higher to the lower, and at the very next door to the Roman Catholic Oratory and the South Kensington Museum, it may—we hope it will—revive to an extent which will make it a centre of light and true religion influence to all around.

St. Paul’s, Onslow-square, South Kensington, is a specimen of one of those churches built not so much for effect as for utility.  A church was wanted in this locality at the time it was erected, and hence the idea it gives one of having been built in a hurry.  The plan of the church is reversed, the Communion table being at the west end; but the architecture is tame and poor.  It may be said to be a perpendicular Gothic,—certainly not an excellent example.  The tower and spire have a stunted appearance, and would have looked better a few feet higher.  The inside is in the fashion of a past age.  Roofed in one space, there is no arcade; large galleries run round three sides of the church, and to enable the reader and preacher to be seen from these, a large and very tall pulpit and desk are used, which quite shut out the west, or Communion end.  There is an entire absence of decoration, the church being almost Quakerlike in its simplicity, and, to the searcher after the picturesque, contains but little to interest.  There is some coloured glass of geometrical patterns, but not pleasant in tone.

For this church the district is largely indebted to the Christian liberality of Charles J. Freake, Esq., of Cromwell House, a near resident, and owner of large properties in the locality.  The site and two-thirds of the building fund, which amounted to about 14,000l., were entirely from this source.  Mr. Freake is also the patron.

On Sunday morning, the 23rd of April, some disappointment was felt at this church through the absence of the esteemed Vicar, on rather a prolonged after-Easter holiday.  The Rev. Capel Molyneux—formerly of the Lock Chapel, Paddington—is favourably known as a very popular and attractive preacher.  He is, also, distinctly Evangelical in his ministry, and anti-Ritualistic in all his services, which are conducted in the plainest style of outward devotion.  Yet, out of one of the most aristocratic centres to be met with around London, he has succeeded in building up a very large congregation, upon whom he appears to have impressed that form as the very ideal of Christian worship.  And we cannot refrain from saying that, as far as we could judge, a more lively and earnestly devout congregation is rarely to be met with.  The church, which accommodates in all 1,600 persons—inclusive of 600 free sittings—was well filled, to our eye, except in the galleries; but we were informed the congregation was by no means equal to what it is when the Vicar himself is present.  His place, however, was very ably and profitably supplied by the Rev. J. F. Sargeant, of St. Luke’s, Marylebone, who performed the entire service, and discoursed extempore with much pathos and power on the 23rd Psalm.  There is no intoning in the prayers, and no chanting or singing but in the Jubilate, the Te Deum, the Gloria Patri, and the hymns; the latter being Psalms and Hymns based on “The Christian Psalmody” of the late Rev. G. Bickersteth, as compiled by his son, and sold by Dean and Son, Ludgate-hill—one of the very best of all the collections extant.  The organist, Mr. Carter, uses an instrument by Bishop to good effect, and is accompanied in the vocal parts of the music by a rather numerous and full-voiced choir in, of course, plain dress.  There is one assistant clergyman—the Rev. T. Burrows—who was not present on the occasion.  On Sundays there are three services—at 11 a.m., 3.30, and 7 p.m.; Holy Communion on the first Sunday in the month after the morning, and on the third after the evening, service, and on the last Tuesday evening in the month.  There is a usual week-day service on Thursday evening at seven, and on the first Monday evening in the month, at eight, there is a special service for working men, when all the seats are thrown open.  This, we understand, is a most interesting and important service, and usually well attended.

ST. PETER’S, ONSLOW GARDENS.

The Church of St. Peter, situate in Onslow-gardens, South Kensington, is a much more important church, on close examination, than a distant view leads the observer to believe.  There are not many good points from which the church is seen, and the view from the north is cut up by the vicarage recently erected, which we suppose is to form part of a terrace, but which does not improve the general appearance.  The west front, by no means a fine composition, possesses some good details, and the tower and spire, which form a portion of this elevation, do much to assist in lending a picturesque effect.  The spire is of very good design, but the tower is too stunted, and, like St. Paul’s, would be improved by an additional ten feet in height.  The spire wears the appearance of having been placed on too soon.  Entering the church by the west door, the perspective view is very effective and telling; this is mainly attributable to the arcades, which, though of very simple Early English character, are very well-proportioned; and the pointed triplet arcades at the transept form a pleasing variety from the usual monotony of ordinary church nave arrangements.  The transverse arch at the transepts rather takes from the perspective, and might with advantage have been less depressed.  A very peculiarly corbelled chancel arch—in shape like a bishop’s mitre—is, we should think, unique.  The arch, as originally built, was too contracted; the chancel pieces have been cut away, and large corbels introduced, suggesting the shape before referred to.  Indeed, if it had been possible to open the apsidal chancel a little more, it would have been an improvement.  The good general appearance of the eastern windows, with their excellent stained glass, by Messrs. Ward and Hughes, of Frith-street, Soho, is still very much obscured and lost.  The nave roof is light and well-designed, but not quite agreeable, being somewhat too late in character.  The details of the windows and clerestory are all very simply designed, to accord with the style of the church; the stalls, prayer-desk, and lectern, being somewhat in advance of the chancel arch, are enclosed by a dwarf-stone screen, which separates them from the body of the church.  The font is very plain indeed—indicative of the simplicity of baptism, we suppose—possessing no ornamentation on the octagonal bowl save the monogram well cut in relief.  But it is in contemplation further to embellish it.  The stone pulpit is octagonal also, and has well-carved figures in relief of the four Evangelists.  The floor of the church is well covered with some rather pretty benches, which, together with transept galleries, will contain a congregation of about 1,500.  The vestry is on the north-east angle of the church, and the organ, quietly decorated, is placed in the south chancel aisle.  This instrument, which is a very superior one, was built by Messrs. Hill and Sons, at a cost of 800l.  It has three rows of keys and 29 stops.

We must confess to some surprise, considering the evident social character of the congregation, that the collections and offertory yield comparatively so little.  There are boxes at the doors for offerings towards church expenses, and the highest sum received from this source in one day, in 1870, was 4l. 19s. 5d., and that was on Easter-day.  But, taking the year through, it does not average one pound per week.  There is something in this more than ordinarily sad, for the people that go in and out at those doors count their income not by hundreds, but by thousands.  The offertory is a more direct appeal, but it only yielded in the year 184l. 16s. 9s.  Altogether, including subscriptions (less commission for collecting them), there was only 357l. 16s. 6d. raised for church expenses.  For the poor of the district, by offertories and private donations, there was raised 144l. 1s. 6d.  This sum was disbursed in various outlays for the relief and comfort of the needy poor.  But how small the amount compared with the ability to do!  There is a day-school in Arthur street, connected with the church, for the support of which from all sources, private subscriptions, collection after sermon, &c., there was raised 305l. 19s. 11½d.  Collections in church for other than local purposes amounted to 121l. 6s., including 60l. 13s. for the Bishop of London’s Fund, and for the Chelsea Dispensary and Victoria Hospital for sick children 60l. 13s.  The whole, therefore, of the visible liberality of this wealthy congregation is at present summed up in the figures 985l. 1s. 2½d. per annum.  We trust that an era of larger heartedness will speedily dawn.  Congregations, as well as individuals, require to learn the art and luxury of giving.  It should not be passed without notice that Mrs. Byng, assisted by a few young ladies of the congregation, has established a Sunday-school and mothers’ meetings, which are in good working, although as yet in their infancy.  There are also an evening sewing class, night-school and a clothing club, superintended and directed by Mrs. Byng.

The Hon. and Rev. Francis E. C. Byng, M.A. (Oxford), was formerly of Twickenham, from whence he was introduced to the new church of St. Peter’s by its patron, Mr. Freake.  He is a minister unquestionably Evangelical in doctrine, and the ceremonial he has established in his church is a medium one, being at equal distance from excessive plainness on the one hand, and High Church Ritual on the other.  The service is earnest and lively without over much singing; but what there is of the latter is excellently done by a choir in surplices, under the able direction of Mr. Arthur Sullivan, the organist; who, as a composer and conductor in other than church music, has just earned himself no small praise at the opening concert of the International Exhibition.  Mr. Sullivan has conducted the musical part of the service from the first and it is owing to his zeal and talent that it has attained such efficiency.  The prayers and lessons were well read in a clear voice by the Rev. C. Scholefield, M.A. (Cambridge), curate, the Litany being taken by the Vicar.  Both as reader and preacher, the Hon. and Rev. Mr. Byng, gifted with a good voice and having a suitably animated manner, fixes and retains the attention of his audience.  His sermon on April 30 was from Deut xxxiii., 25th verse, “And as thy days so shall thy strength be.”  It was the effusion of a devout mind, intelligently comprehending the trials and experiences of our common life, and fully aware of the sole secret of human hope and consolation.  Though read there was nothing perfunctory in the delivery, the preacher being sufficiently free from his manuscript to put himself on a line with the eye, and we cannot but think with the heart of all his hearers in every part of the church; occasionally even turning to look into the galleries and into the chancel, that the occupants of those parts may not think themselves forgotten.  If all preachers used their MSS. in the manner of Mr. Byng, and always made them speak such excellent things, much of the current objection to their use in public would vanish.  In taking leave for the present of St. Peter’s, we cannot but congratulate the people there on their beautiful church, and the religious advantages they enjoy.

As another interesting example of how churches spring up in our midst, following or hastening before the population, we have now to notice another new enterprise in South Kensington.  St. Luke’s is at present a temporary iron church, put up to await the erection of a more enduring one, on what is known as the Redcliffe Estate, in South Kensington, now being covered with dwellings of a superior order, by Messrs. Corbett and M‘Clymont.  These gentlemen have presented the site for the new church, which is a most eligible one, situate in the yet uncompleted Redcliffe-square.  Plans for the new-church are in preparation by Messrs. G. and D. Godwin, of the Fulham-road, and it is intended to be built in the course of 1872.  By the time it is erected, it will show itself to be in one of the best-selected positions to be met with around London.  The structure will be in the early decorated style, and is to cost about 10,000l., and it is a circumstance to place the promoters beyond the reach of much anxiety on the subject, that 7,000l. of the amount is already deposited.  Meanwhile the iron church on the other side of the way is doing good service.  It was put up in July last, and opened on the 23rd of that month, just six months ago, by the Rev. Wm. Fraser Handcock, M.A. (of Oxford) the vicar (designate), and previously vicar of St. Luke’s, Cheltenham.  To this latter church South Kensington has recently given a new minister, in the person of the Rev. J. A. Aston, late vicar of St. Stephen’s, and has received in return the Rev. W. F. Handcock, but to open entirely new ground.  Mr. Handcock not only came from Cheltenham, but he brought the material of the church in which he now preaches with him from thence.  It was a wooden structure, and consequently before he could commence work in it, occasion was given for some correspondence and trouble with the Metropolitan Board of Works.  He unwittingly incurred the Board’s disapproval by violating one of its bye-laws, and they compelled him to case it in iron of certain dimensions before it was opened.  This caused a further outlay of 400l., which was a matter of some consequence to the rev. gentleman, as he had personally undertaken the whole responsibility of the temporary church.  The district assigned to St. Luke’s is taken out of that of St. Mary’s in the Boltons, and includes at present about 3,000 population; but may have double that number four or five years hence.  The present building has sittings for 700, and between 100 and 200 are free; the remainder let in the nave at 2l. per annum and in aisles at 1l.  Considering the time it has been opened, the church is very well attended.  At the morning service we found about 300 present, a full choir of youths in surplices; who rendered the chants, psalms, and hymns in a creditable manner to Anglican strains.  The organ—well played by Mr. Henry P. Keens—is small; but, like the church itself, temporary.  The prayers were read, and the whole tone of the service was Evangelical.  Hymns in use, “Ancient and Modern.”  There is a weekly offertory for the church expenses, which is taken before the sermon.