The chancel forms a very handsome termination to the interior; the reading-desk and pulpit respectively occupy places at the north and south corners of its entrance, while in advance, occupying a central position, is the lectern, presented by the Rev. W. Bennett. In the south side of the chancel are three sedillæ; over the Communion table are three compartments of stonework, on which are inscribed the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Creed; above the stonework it terminates in a rere-dos, over which is the great window of stained glass by Wailes, pourtraying the Prophets and the Twelve Apostles. This window and ornamental stonework cost about £1,000.
The font is of Caen stone, of beautiful design, and five feet eight inches in height; it is of octagonal form, the panels being divided by buttresses, the projecting portion of each resting on an angel, each angel either clasping its hands, or holding a shield or book bearing some symbol corresponding with the subject of the panel immediately preceding. Under each panel is a boss, representing some plant answering to the subject on the panel. The shaft, supporting the whole, is placed on two steps; it consists of eight mullioned arches, and as many buttresses decorated. It is the work of Mr. Charles Physick, of Gower Street, and was presented by the Rev. D. A. Beaufort, Mr. Bennett’s successor at Portman Chapel. Its cost was £100.
The organ is a very powerful one; its case was designed by Mr. Cundy, and harmonises with the general character of the Church. It covers 14 feet square, and is 30 feet high.
The roof is open, and is said to be the largest unsupported by pillars of any ecclesiastical edifice in the metropolis. It is of timber, and the tie beams are filled with tracery.
Of the eight handsome windows of each side of the church, two in the north and six in the south are filled with stained glass, all by Wailes, of Newcastle, representing the most remarkable scenes and actions of St. Paul, and of those Apostles whose names are to be read on each window. Four of these windows were erected to the memory of various members of his family by J. T. Horne, Esq.; one to John Backhouse, Esq., of the Foreign Office, born October 14th, 1784, died November 13th, 1845; one to the late Viscount Newry, to the Misses Alice and Caroline Colvile, and one to Miss Caroline Carr. There is one also to Patrick Fraser Tytler, born August 30th, 1791, died December 24th, 1849: he was author of “A History of Scotland,” “Lives of Sir Walter Raleigh,” “Henry VIII.,” and other works that have assumed a standard position in our literature.
The church will hold nearly 1,600 persons; 600 of the sittings are free.
The Rev. W. J. E. Bennett was nominated to the incumbency by the Bishop of London; but certain differences having arisen between him and the Bishop, he resigned in March, 1850, when the Hon. and Rev. Robert Liddell was appointed in his stead.
The following is a list of the Churchwardens:—September 30, 1845, Hon. Eliot Yorke, M.P.; Charles Briscoe. (These gentlemen were re-elected also for the three following years.) 1849, April 10, Sir John E. Harington, Bart.; Charles Briscoe. 1850, Sir J. E. Harington; Charles Briscoe. 1851, April 21, T. H. Sotheron, Esq., M.P.; J. H. Tuck. 1852, April 13, Viscount Castlereagh; J. H. Tuck. 1853, March 29, T. H. Horne, Esq.; Charles Westerton. 1854, April 18. This was a contested election: opposition having been made by Mr. Westerton to the mode of conducting Divine Service, and other matters connected with the Church, he was opposed by Thos. Davidson, Esq.; but after a poll, the numbers were declared to be—for Mr. Westerton, 203; Mr. Davidson, 200. Mr. Horne was renominated; but a caveat being entered against this election, the case came on for adjudication before Dr. Phillimore, in the Archdeacon’s Court, on May 30th, 1854, who declared the election null, in consequence of the rejection of the votes of certain parishioners; and a new election taking place on June 15th, the same gentlemen were again nominated, and, after a poll of two days’ duration, the result was declared to be—for Mr. Westerton, 651; Mr. Davidson, 323. 1855, April 10, W. H. Jackson, Esq.; Charles Westerton: and the same gentlemen still fill the office.
All Saints’ Church.—This handsome edifice was consecrated by the late Bishop Blomfield on Saturday, July 21st, 1849. It was erected to supply a very great want, for previously this isolated portion of St. Margaret’s parish was destitute of a place of worship for the members of the Church of England. Within the last twenty years the population has vastly increased; and houses of first-class character have covered the nursery-grounds and fields formerly abounding.
All Saints’ Church was erected from the designs of Mr. Vulliamy, in the Lombardic or Byzantine style of architecture, and when completed will be one of the most original and striking edifices in London. It consists of a nave, and side aisles, divided by pillars polished to imitate marble, terminating in an apse, forming the chancel, and the roof of which is a blue ground spangled with gold. Galleries are erected round three sides; in the western one is a very fine organ. The roof is open, of woodwork, and harmonises pleasingly with the other parts of the building, although comparatively plain.