The Savings’ Bank is situated on the north side of the King’s Road. It was established in the year 1819. The benefits derived by the labouring classes, and others of limited means, by the establishment of such banks, are now so well known and appreciated that it would be needless to enumerate them. The Chelsea Savings’ Bank is one of the most secure and best conducted in London.
CHELSEA CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,
MARKHAM SQUARE.
The foundation stone of this Chapel was laid on Tuesday, October 5th, 1858, and the building was opened for public worship on April 3rd, 1860, the Honourable and Rev. Baptist Noel, M.A., preaching at noon, and the Rev. Newman Hall, LL.B., in the evening. The Rev. Clifford Hooper was the first Pastor. He resigned the pastorate on account of failing health on the 3rd of June, 1863, and died on March 6th, 1864. The Rev. R. Brindley, of Bath, then accepted the pastorate, commencing his ministry on November 22nd, 1863, and on October 19th, 1865, was suddenly and unexpectedly called to his rest, in the very prime of life and in the midst of his labours. The Rev. Andrew Mearns, of Great Marlow, was then invited to become Pastor, and commenced his ministry, at Chelsea, on September 16th, 1866, where his pulpit ministrations and pastoral labours have been greatly blessed.
The Chapel stands in a very prominent position, covering a large piece of ground at the north end of Markham Square, forming a very conspicuous and beautiful object from the King’s Road.
The form of the building is slightly cruciform, having transepts projecting about five feet from the body of the Chapel. The prominent feature of the exterior is a tower and spire, rising from the west side of the southern transept to the height of 138 feet.
The proportions are well-conceived, and the effect good. The dimensions in the clear, are, length 85 ft. 2 in.; length, including apse, 93 ft. 6 in.; width 41 ft. 3 in.; width across transept 51 ft. 3 in.; height from floor of chapel to ridge of open roof, 49 ft.; height from floor to roof, on the wall line, 22 ft.; and the height of school rooms 13 ft.
The style of the building is in the second period of the Gothic. The exterior is entirely of stone; the interior, will accommodate on the ground and gallery floors, 1,150 adults, besides an additional gallery in the apse for the organ and choir.
The ground floor is raised about four feet above the footway, and beneath are lofty and spacious schoolrooms for about 850 children, with requisite offices. The building was erected from a design by John Tarring, Esq., of Bucklersbury, and Messrs. Myers, of Lambeth, were the contractors who undertook the erection.
The Sabbath School is well attended, and the labours of the teachers and superintendent very successful. Above 380 children are registered as scholars, and, on Feb. 28, the actual attendance was 256 in the morning and 356 in the afternoon, taught by 33 teachers.
The various institutions and agencies connected with this Church are likewise flourishing under the oversight of the Pastor, who, we trust, may be long spared to a beloved and loving people.