ONSLOW CHAPEL.
Onslow Chapel, situate in Neville terrace, Brompton, has many pretensions to Gothic architectural effect. It is slightly decorated in design, and somewhat early. Long before the two churches were thought of, between which it now stands, St. Pauls and St. Peters, its two little spires could be seen like landmarks in the surrounding plain. It is one of those early attempts of the Nonconformists to establish a better style of architecture in their buildings for public worship. The west front is, however, all of which it can boast, the inside being of true chapel type, consisting, one may almost say, of a large hall, ribbed and vaulted in plaster. The western gallery adds to the accommodation for sittings, and the body of the chapel is well filled with simple pewing. The pulpit is tall, and backed up by the organ. In the usual way the Vestry is at the east end. The foundation-stone was laid by that great and good man, the Hon. Arthur Kinnaird, in 1856.
This chapel was built fifteen years ago, for the church then meeting in Alfred-place, under the pastorate of the Rev. G. Bigwood. It seats 650 persons, and cost 6,000l. But this outlay included, besides the chapel-proper, convenient class-rooms, and a spacious schoolroom which runs back on a line with the chapel into Neville-street, and is now mentioned as Onslow Hall, a suitable place for meetings and lectures. The Rev. G. Bigwood’s ministry lasted about eighteen years, and he was succeeded in 1870 by the Rev. Joseph Upton Davis, B.A., the present pastor. The minister is a Baptist, but the membership is open to Christians of other Evangelical communions. As a preacher, Mr. Davis has considerable gifts. To a pleasing manner and voice there is a goodly share of refinement, general evidence of culture, and preaching ardour, which are essential to the modern pulpit. “He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches” was solemnly enforced, and the dwellers in Laodicean ease—the “neither cold nor hot”—were keenly rebuked, although affectionately dealt with. The congregation was not a full one; but it was pleasing to note that with very few exceptions all remained to the Communion service, which immediately followed the first service. The hymn after the sermon was followed only by the benediction, briefly rendered, which, as a rule, is somewhat unlike Nonconforming services, in which the preacher generally offers a short prayer, having some reference in spirit to the matter of the discourse. A Sunday-school is conducted in the schoolroom, where, under management, 400 scholars assemble morning and afternoon, superintended by Mr. Mayers. The general services are—Sunday morning at 11, evening at 6.30, Thursday evenings at 7, and communion the first Sunday in the month.