The Old Parish Church.
It will soon be seventy years since I was first taken to this venerable Church. The most trifling incidents in childhood often bring to remembrance, when arrived at mature age, events of an important and interesting character. Such was the case with regard to my earliest conscious attendance at Chelsea Old Church. At the period to which I allude, residing at the other part of the parish, we had to go across what was then called the “Common,” situated to the east of the present new St. Luke’s Church, a portion of which was at that particular time covered with new-mown grass to dry previously to being carried away. Most young persons love to toss and tumble about the hay when such an opportunity is afforded them, and certainly I felt as delighted with the sport as others of my own age. Often afterwards, when there was a disposition not to take me, I earnestly pleaded to go with the rest to the Church, but my youthful thoughts were more fixed on some anticipated enjoyment on the road to it. As I advanced in years, however, my native Old Parish Church became gradually endeared to me, and nothing connected with it scarcely ever escaped my notice.
The exact period when the Church was erected is a question of great uncertainty. In the Domesday Survey of the Parish no mention is made of any endowment for a priest, which is considered by some writers a proof that there was no Church existing. This conclusion is doubtful. There is no record relative to the Rectory previous to the reign of Edward II., therefore it is conjectured that the Church was first founded about that period.
Mr. Bowack says, “In the year 1667, the old Church, which was much decayed, being too small to contain the congregation, grown large by the vast increase of buildings about that time in the town,” (what would he now think, in 1869, of the immense number of houses, and 70,000 inhabitants!) “it was agreed by the parishioners that part of it should be demolished, and that such alterations and additions should be made as were necessary for decent accommodation. Accordingly the shattered tower and west end of the Church were pulled down, and the north and south aisles carried several yards towards the west, by two brick walls, being in all about 80 ft. from the ground. The walls of the Church were raised, the windows enlarged, the old parts beautified, the inside new paved, the churchyard considerably raised, and enclosed with a high wall of brick; and most of this done at the voluntary charge of the inhabitants, and the whole roof, lead, timber, &c., at the sole cost of the Lady Jane Cheyne. The Church was furnished with all the necessary ornaments, and the steeple with a good ring of six bells, by the bounty of the inhabitants.”
From this statement it would appear that the Church was originally of small dimensions.
MONUMENTS, &c.
It will not be asserting too much if we say that the Old Parish Church contains more magnificent monuments, to the memories of distinguished individuals, than are to be found in any other church in the metropolis.
Lord Bray.—In the chancel, the most ancient monument is that of Lord Bray, and of his son Lord John Bray. It is an altar-tomb, now much defaced, but was originally ornamented with the effigies in brass of these two noble lords, and with escutcheons of their arms. According to Weever, there was the following inscription in his time:—“Of your charitie pray for the soul of Edmund Bray, knight, Lord Bray, cosin and heire to Sir Reginald Bray, Knight of the Garter.” There is a very long and curious account of the funeral of Lord John Bray in the Herald’s College, 1557.
Sir Thomas More.—Against the south wall of the chancel is the monument of Sir Thomas More, erected according to his own desire, in the year 1532. The tablet on which the inscription is engraved is under a Tudor arch, the cornice of which is ornamented with foliage, and in the centre of it is his crest, viz., a Moor’s head. The spandrils of the arch are ornamented with branches of the vine, and in the midst are his arms and those of his first wife, and on each side are the arms of himself and his two wives. The eventful history of More, and the termination of his earthly career, must be familiar to the reader. After he was beheaded, his body is said by some to have been interred in the church, but others have contended that it was buried in St. Peter’s, in the Tower. There are many legends respecting the head, but Mr. Brayley asserts positively that it was finally deposited in St. Dunstan’s, near Canterbury, and that he saw the head there many years ago. The inscription on the tablet is of considerable length.
The Marquise de Cugnac.—Near the Communion Table, against the south wall, on a square ornamental slab, is an inscription to the memory of Elizabeth, the wife of the Marquis de Cugnac. As a proof of his unshaken love he erected this monument. She died in 1653, aged 20 years. The marquis was of a Protestant family, famous in the reigns of Henry IV., Lewis XIII. and XIV.