CHURCHES
In Paddington 38 years ago were very few. There was the old church on Paddington Green, and no other except the chapel in St. Petersburgh Place, the minister, the Rev. Mr. Smalley, was rightly highly esteemed; his curate, Rev. Mr. Buckmaster, and the Scripture reader, Mr. Leask, were also powers for good in their day.
How well this church has been honoured by the late lamented Archdeacon Hunter his large congregation will long remember. It seems sad that he should not have lived to see the new church which he commenced completed, but the Great Disposer of all events knew best, and he worships now in a better sanctuary.
Kensington had its parish church, St. Mary Abbot’s, and a chapel in Addison Road. At the former was a man beloved by all who knew him, the Venerable Archdeacon Sinclair, a man whose memory will be still dear to some old inhabitants of Kensington.
In Hornton Street, Kensington, was the chapel formerly under the pastorate of Dr. Vaughan, and here the Queen’s mother often listened to the Gospel.
The Wesleyans had their chapel behind the High Street, and the Baptists in Silver Street Kensington Gravel Pits. This church now worships as Westbourne Grove Chapel.
Old Silver Street chapel would hold about 200 people, it had one gallery in front of the pulpit, and behind the pulpit sliding doors opened on to the Sunday School Room. On great occasions the minister could have a congregation both in front and behind him. This however did not often happen.
In 1844 the minister was Rev. F. Wills, and the Deacons Messrs. Saunders, Farmer, Worger and Wood. All these honoured brethren “have ceased from their labours.”
Nonconformity was not allowed much room in Paddington, the land there mainly belonged to the Bishop and the friends of the Established church.
The Baptists had a chapel in Praed Street, from which has sprung the Westbourne Park Chapel under the pastorate of Rev. J. Clifford. The Wesleyans had a chapel in Queen’s Road since rebuilt.
| In 1844 | In 1882. |
| Paddington had 2 churches | 18. |
| ,, ,, 2 Nonconformist Chapels | 17. |
| Kensington had 2 churches | 23. |
| ,, ,, 3 Nonconformist chapels | 24. |
All honour to the men and women who have been instrumental not only in erecting buildings but in maintaining the great and important work connected with these places of worship.
The churches and the country look to the young to follow in the steps of those who through good report and evil have worked on for the promotion of Christ’s kingdom and the welfare of their neighbours.
The past generation have done much. Let every Christian see to it not only to hold the ground acquired, but to use all their influence to do even more than those who have gone before.
I conclude with the desire that one more used to literary composition had written the facts. I hope all discrepancies will be overlooked and that it may not be uninteresting to read
The Remembrances of
AN OLD INHABITANT.