The Dedication of St. Michael's Church was on September, 10, 1881, by the Right Rev. The Lord Bishop of Rochester—the service commenced at 11.30 a.m.
Lord of hosts, to thee we raise
Here a house of prayer and praise!
Thou thy people's hearts prepare
Here to meet for praise and prayer.
O King of glory come,
And with thy favour crown
This temple as thy dome,
This people as thy own!
Beneath this roof, O deign to show,
How God can dwell with men below.
Here may thine ears attend
Our interceding cries,
And grateful praise ascend,
All fragrant to the skies!
Here may thy word melodious sound,
And spread celestial joys around!
Here may thy future sons
And daughters sound thy praise,
And shine like polish'd stones,
Through long succeeding days!
Here Lord, display thy sov'reign power,
While temples stand, and men adore!
ALL SAINTS' TEMPORARY IRON CHURCH, is situated in Victoria Bridge Road, near the south-eastern gate of Battersea Park. It will accommodate 200 persons. All seats free and unappropriated. It was opened for Divine Service Saturday, Sept. 6th, 1879, at 3.30 p.m. The Rev. Canon Clarke, Vicar of Battersea, and Rural Dean, preached the first sermon. His text was:—"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his."—II. Timothy ii. 19. An income of £200 a year from the Rochester Diocesan Fund has been granted to the clergyman of the district, the Rev. A. E. Bourne, formerly Curate of St. Peter's, Battersea. The new provisional district of "All Saints," Battersea, has been formed out of three parishes, viz., St. Mary's, St. Saviour's and St. George's, to meet the requirements of the rapidly increasing population of the neighbourhood. Roughly speaking the boundaries of the new district are the London, Chatham and Dover Railway from the river to the London and South Western Railway, along the London and South Western Railway to Park Grove; down Park Grove, across the open land to the Park round the north corner. The only exceptions are the streets between Queen's Road and Russell Street which remain part of St. Philip's parish.
"God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of His saints and to be had in reverence by all them that are about Him."
Let us then with gladsome mind
Praise the Lord for He is kind;
For His mercies shall endure
Ever faithful, ever sure.
ROCHESTER DIOCESAN MISSION, St. James', Nine Elms. Clergyman in charge, Rev. William George Trousdale, B.A.—The Mission Buildings situated in Woodgate Street and Ponton Road, Nine Elms Lane, have lately been enlarged by the Misses Baily of Esher, at a cost of over £1200. The church contains sittings for 250. There are in connection with the Mission, Sunday Schools, two Mothers' Meetings, Girls' Bible Class, Girls' Sewing Class, Recreation Room for Girls, Provident Club, Penny Bank. It is also proposed to establish shortly a Working Man's Club and a Crêche, for which there is ample accommodation in the Mission Buildings. Services—Sunday at 11 and 7, Wednesday Evening at 8, Children's Service the 3rd Sunday in the month at 3.
ST. ALDWIN'S MISSION CHAPEL, (Rochester Diocesan Society) Poyntz Road, Latchmere Road, was opened on Sunday, 12th September, 1880, at 7 p.m. It will comfortably seat 300 persons. St. Aldwin's district is formed partly out of St. Saviour's and partly out of Christ Church parish—the latter ceded the Colestown Estate, the former handed over Latchmere Street and Road, and the cluster of streets which is surrounded by the triangle of railways. Mission Curate—Rev. T. B. Brooks, M.A., 2, Nevil Villas, Albert Road. Mission-woman—Mrs. Monk, Mission House, 25, Poyntz Road.
"Both young men and maidens, old men and children; let them praise the name of the Lord."—Psalm cxlviii. 12-13.
"Blessed is the people who know the joyful sound: they shall walk O Lord, in the light of thy countenance."—Psalm lxxxix. 15.
"Thy power to save!" thrice happy they
Who taught of Thee delight to pray,
Rejoicing in Thy love:
Now clothed in righteousness divine,
The heirs of glory,—soon to shine
In realms of joy above.
A pastor's warning voice!—"Take heed,
Whilst by the sunny banks you feed
Of England's good old Church!
Live close to Jesus;—not on forms,
Lest, unprepared for coming storms,
You founder in the lurch!
Heed well the Word—the joyful sound,
The Gospel of our God—still found
To point straight up to heaven:
Beware of sounds of 'yea and nay,'
For God's own 'yea' is man's sure stay,
Not Pharisaic leaven."
The presence of the Lord is found
Where love, and joy, and peace abound,
Fruits of the Spirit's Word;
Where Christian hearts unite in prayer
In Jesus' Name—the Lord is there,
Jehovah, Jesus, God.