ST. GEORGE'S MISSION HALL, Stewart's Lane, formerly belonged to the Primitive Methodists, and was used by them as a chapel.
"Glory, honour, praise and power
Be unto the Lamb for ever;
Jesus Christ is our Redeemer,
Hallelujah! Amen."
"Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generations following. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death."-Psalms xlviii. 12-14.
BATTERSEA CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH (Independent), Junction of Bridge Road and Surrey Lane South, fifteen minutes' walk from Clapham Junction and York Road Stations, ten minutes' from Battersea Station; is an edifice constructed of Kentish rag with Bath stone dressings, and has a tower with spire at the north end of the building. The interior is spacious and lofty; the pews are made of pitch-pine, varnished, and will accommodate, including the seats in the south gallery, 600 persons. Cost of erection £4,500. H. Fuller, Architect; F. W. Sawyer, Builder. With respect to its history, this is the first Congregational Church in Battersea. It owes its origin to the Surrey Congregational Union, under whose directions services were held in the Lammas-Hall previous to the erection of the previous Church building. The Foundation Stone was laid by the Rev. J. G. Rogers, B. A., of Clapham, September 17th 1866. It was opened Tuesday, October 12th, 1867, and the Dedication Service was conducted by the Rev. Samuel Martin, of Westminster. The present is the third pastoral settlement, the first minister being the Rev. J. Scott James, of Cheshunt College, who commenced his ministry in Battersea. In 1870 the Rev. J. S. James resigned to take the Pastorate of the Church at Stratford-on-Avon, and was succeeded April, 1871, by the Rev. Joseph Shaw, of Boston, Lincolnshire. In 1878 the Rev. Joseph Shaw resigned and was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas Jarratt, the present Pastor.
The Sunday School and Lecture Hall, with class-room adjoining, was opened in April, 1874. The entire cost of the building, furnishing, heating, lighting, and fencing the ground was £510, the whole of which was discharged July, 1875. Of this amount a generous friend gave £300 through the Rev. Joseph Shaw; and thirty-two pounds were contributed by the Sunday School Children. The room will seat 300 persons.
The "Church Manual" for 1870 states "This is Congregational, we regarding the New Testament as the only infallible guide in matters of Church order, and learning from it that each Church is authorized to elect its officers, receive and dismiss its members, and act authoritatively and conclusively upon all questions affecting its purity and administration. We recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as our King and Sole Ruler in spiritual things, and His Word as our Statute-Book and only Standard. The membership. We believe this should be composed only of regenerated persons who are received into the Church on profession of their faith in Christ, or by letters from sister Church. Members of other churches, acting on this principle, are also received on their producing proper certificates. Candidates for membership should make their application direct to the Pastor. Deacons, Mr. John Allen, Mr. Thomas C. Tabor; Treasurer, Mr. Samuel James Roberts; Secretary, Mr. Edwin John Eason."
The seats are free, not sold or rented, but are allotted for family convenience and to preserve order. The revenues of the Church are chiefly derived from the weekly free-will offerings of the church and congregation.
"How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts."-Psalm lxxxiv. 1.
"The Hill of Zion yields
A thousand sacred sweets,
Before we reach the heavenly fields
Or walk the golden streets."