About the year 1810 part of the glebe opposite to the Royal Military Asylum was purchased, under the authority of an Act of Parliament, for the use of this Institution; and other land, at Merton, in Surrey, was bought with the money as glebe to the Rectory of Chelsea.
In concluding this brief description of the Royal Military Asylum, it may justly be observed that the contemplation of such a noble fabric is calculated to excite the liveliest emotions of gratitude for having been born in a country which abounds with charitable institutions. To the soldier it must continually afford the most pleasing prospects for the comfort and support of his infant children, and it will induce him to serve, if possible, with greater confidence and energy, feeling assured that if he falls in battle his country has provided a home for his helpless children.
ST. JUDE’S CHURCH.
This Church is situated in Turks’ Row, almost adjoining the extreme southern side of the Royal Military Asylum. The first stone of the edifice was laid in August, 1843, and it was consecrated and opened for Divine Service in June, 1844. The Rev. John Patterson, M.A., was the first Incumbent, and on his leaving Chelsea, the Rev. Shadwell Morley Barkworth, M.A., succeeded him. The present Incumbent is the Rev. J. B. Owen, M.A., who has laboured most zealously in the District some years. To his indefatigable exertions, and to the visitations of the District Visitors, &c., connected with the Church, much of the demoralization which generally prevailed in the numerous crowded courts, lying between Turks’ Row and Queen’s Road East, has been removed. Attached to the Church are National, Free, and Infant Schools, each of which are very well attended. A portion of the children belonging to the Hans Town Industrial School are here accommodated with sittings. The Church will hold about 900 persons.
Proceeding in an easterly direction we arrive at what was formerly known as White Lion Street. Here very considerable improvements have been effected. The whole of one side of this street has been pulled down, by which means there is now a good road from the Suspension Bridge to Knightsbridge.
CHELSEA CHAPEL.
This Chapel was erected in 1865, and is situated on a part of the site we have just described, adjoining Lower Sloane Street. The Church worshipping within its sacred walls formerly occupied Paradise Chapel, Queen’s Road West, which still remains, and which was originally a school room belonging to a scholastic establishment, which occupied for many years the site of Calthorpe Place. It is still retained by the members of the above Church as a Ragged School.
The Chapel is a plain white brick building, without any particular attempt at architectural display. Mr. James Cubitt was the architect. It will seat probably 1000 persons. There is a schoolroom underneath the Chapel, which will contain about 600 adults, in which there is a Day School for Girls and Infants in the week, and the Sunday School is also held in it, which numbers about 200. The Rev. Frank H. White, who resides in Hemus Terrace, is the Minister, and is much esteemed not only by the members of the church, but by all with whom he is associated in life.
I must now proceed to Sloane Street, where first “I drew the breath of life,” and which is consequently endeared to me by recollections of the very earliest events of my life.
Mr. Holland, in the year 1777, took a lease of one hundred acres of land, called in old records Blacklands, of Charles, Lord Cadogan, which now consists of Sloane Street, Cadogan Place, Hans Place, Exeter Street, Ellis Street, D’Oyley Street, Sloane Square, George Street, &c. The buildings were begun just at the commencement of the American war, owing to which their progress was much impeded.