MDCCCXCIII

Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., Printers, London and Aylesbury.

PREFACE

In placing this volume in the hands of his congregation, as a memorial of the centenary of Kensington Chapel, the writer has one or two words to say to them. They will easily see that there is here no attempt to supersede Dr. Stoughton’s excellent and well-known history of our Church, entitled “Congregationalism in the Court Suburb.” For all detail of our work, as well as for most delightful reminiscences of the ministers who laboured here, they are referred to Dr. Stoughton’s book. The letterpress of this little book is an introduction to the pictures it contains, and it is an attempt to trace the rise and progress of the Church, rather than to dwell on the interesting features of individual ministries. This has, as the writer feels, limited the interest of the book somewhat; but he relies largely on the illustrations to commend it to those who have some sympathy with the Church whose doings it briefly chronicles. He has only to add that his best thanks are due to Mr. Sidney Davie, who has given him valued assistance in the reproduction of the photographs; and to Mr. Edward Spicer for very much co-operation in bringing out this memorial volume. But especially is he indebted to the “member of the congregation,” whose name he may not mention, who so kindly wrote the notice of the three and a half years of the present ministry.

Kensington, April, 1893.

CONTENTS

PAGE

PREFACE

[7]

I.

FORMING THE CHURCH

[11]

II.

CONSOLIDATION: THE FIRST MINISTRY

[29]

III.

A BRIEF MINISTRY.—REV. JOHN CLAYTON

[43]

IV.

SIXTEEN YEARS OF SPIRITUAL PROGRESS.—REV. JOHNLEIFCHILD

[53]

V.

PROSPERITY UNDER DR. VAUGHAN

[67]

VI.

ENLARGING OUR BORDERS.—REV. DR. STOUGHTON

[81]

VII.

A GRACIOUS MINISTRY.—DR. RALEIGH

[101]

VIII.

PLANTING A NEW CHURCH.—REV. C. B. SYMES

[115]

IX.

A NOTABLE INTERVAL.—REV. EDWARD WHITE

[131]

X.

“TO BE CONTINUED.”—MR. HORNE

[143]

XI.

EPILOGUE

[153]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

KENSINGTON CHAPEL Frontispiece
PAGE
HORNTON STREET CHAPEL [14]
THE FIRST COMMUNION CUPS [39]
PORTRAIT OF REV. JOHN CLAYTON [46]
PORTRAIT OF REV. DR. JOHN LEIFCHILD [56]
PORTRAIT OF REV. DR. ROBERT VAUGHAN [70]
PORTRAIT OF REV. DR. JOHN STOUGHTON [84]
HORBURY CHAPEL, NOTTING HILL [93]
PORTRAIT OF REV. DR. ALEXANDER RALEIGH [104]
PORTRAIT OF REV. COLMER B. SYMES [118]
WEST KENSINGTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH [125]
PORTRAIT OF REV. EDWARD WHITE [134]
PORTRAIT OF REV. C. SILVESTER HORNE [146]
KENSINGTON CHAPEL (INTERIOR) [154]