The body of this church is solid and well proportioned; it is ornamented with a Doric portico, to which there is a handsome ascent by a flight of steps; and upon these the Doric order arises supported on pedestals. The tower over these rises with arched windows and niches, and on its diminishing for the steeple, is supported by the heads of the under corners, which form a kind of buttresses: from this part rises the base of the spire, with an arcade; its corners are in the same manner supported with a kind of pyramidal buttresses ending in a point, and the spire is terminated by a vase and fane. This is the character given of this edifice in the English Architect: who asserts that solidity without weight is its character, and that though this structure is not without faults, yet it is worthy of great praise; it being singular, and built for ages. It has however been severely censured by the author of The Critical Review of Buildings, who says that it is one of the most absurd piles in Europe.
This church is made a rectory, but is not to be held in commendam. For the maintenance of the Rector and his successors the Parliament granted the sum of 3000l. to be laid out in the purchase of lands and tenements in fee simple: besides which provision the Churchwardens are by that act appointed to pay him annually the sum of 125l. to be raised by burial fees. Maitland.
Christ’s Church, in Bennet street, Southwark, is a regular and well-constructed building, erected with little expence, since the year 1737, when the foundation of the old church gave way. It consists of a plain body enlightened by two ranges of windows, and a square tower with a turret.
This church is a rectory, the patronage is in the heirs and assigns of John Marshal of the Borough of Southwark, Gent. who caused the old church to be built, by leaving, in the year 1627, the sum of 700l. for that purpose, with an estate of 60l. a year towards the maintenance of a Minister, and the inhabitants applying to parliament in 1670, it was made a distinct parish independent of that of St. Saviour’s.
Christ’s Church, behind the northern row of houses in Newgate street. This is a vicarage, or impropriation, and the right of advowson is in the Governors of St. Bartholomew’s hospital. The old spacious church being consumed by the fire of London, this edifice was erected in its room, and by an act of parliament constituted the place of public worship, both for this parish and that of St. Leonard’s Foster lane.
This church is a plain edifice, neatly ornamented on the inside; it has a square tower of a considerable height, crowned with a light and handsome turret, which is so concealed by the houses, that it can scarce any where be seen to advantage. The Incumbent receives 200l. per annum in lieu of tithes.
Christ’s Hospital, for the education and support of the fatherless children of freemen, is an establishment of considerable antiquity; for Henry VIII. in the last year of his reign gave the city both the priory of St. Bartholomew’s, and the convent of Gray Friars, which anciently belonged to that priory, for the relief of the poor. He also in the same year founded two churches out of these religious houses, the one to be called Christ Church, out of the Gray Friars, and the other Little St. Bartholomew’s, out of the hospital of that name. By the above grant the city was obliged to establish here a settled and regular provision for the poor, which was not done till some years after, when King Edward VI. being extremely moved at a sermon preached by Bishop Ridley, wherein that good Prelate expatiated on the obligations of the rich to assist the poor and miserable, his Majesty expressed his hearty desire to concur in promoting so laudable a work, and by the Bishop’s advice, immediately caused a letter to be wrote to the Lord Mayor, to obtain his assistance; and this letter his Majesty signed with his own hand, and sealed with his signet. The good Bishop, who, by the young King’s desire, stayed till the letter was finished, was the messenger dispatched on this important business. The chief Magistrate was pleased with the honour done the city, and after several consultations with the Aldermen and Common Council, several charitable plans were formed for the carrying on of this and other charities; and while the diseased were provided for at St. Thomas’s, and the idle at Bridewell, it was resolved that the young and helpless should be educated at Christ Church.
This being reported to the King, his Majesty voluntarily incorporated the Governors of these houses by the title of The Mayor, Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, Governors of the possessions, revenues and goods of the hospitals of Edward VI., King of England, &c. as his Majesty desired to be esteemed their chief founder and patron. To promote and continue this work, he granted the city certain lands that had been given to the house of the Savoy, founded by King Henry VII. for the lodging of pilgrims and strangers, but which was now only used by vagabonds and strumpets. These lands amount to the yearly value of 600l. He also commanded, that after reserving a sufficient quantity of the linen, which had been used in the times of popish superstition, to each church within the city and suburbs of London, the remaining superfluous great quantities should be delivered to the Governors of this hospital, for the use of the poor children under their care. And one of the last actions of that good Prince’s life, was signing a licence for this corporation to purchase lands in mortmain.
In 1552 the house of the Gray Friars was prepared for the poor fatherless children, and the same year 340 were admitted. Soon after, several considerable private benefactions were left to this hospital, and at length Charles II. by a well judged liberality, founded and endowed a mathematical school for the instruction of forty boys in that study, in order to fit them for the sea, and for this purpose he ordered 1000l. a year to be paid out of the Exchequer for seven years. This institution is executed in a manner suitable to the intention of the founder. Every year ten of these boys are put out apprentices to masters of ships, and ten more are received in their room. The master is not only expected to be a good mathematician, but to understand the learned languages. Afterwards the Governors appointed forty other boys to be taught mathematics in the same manner. The other schools are a grammar school, a writing school, and a school for the girls who learn reading and needle work, and there have been lately added a master to teach the boys drawing, an art of the greatest use in many mechanical arts.
This charity is so very extensive, that there are sometimes above a thousand children supported here at a time. The youngest, for whom there is not room in the house, and who are not of an age to understand the lessons taught there, are, at the expence of the charity, sent to Hertford and Ware, where there are schools erected and masters employed at handsome salaries for that purpose. As the eldest are put out apprentices, and these grow more fit for the place, they are brought in.