VINCENT SQUARE, WESTMINSTER.
| Incumbent. |
| REV. A. BORRADAILE. |
| Churchwardens. |
| MR. G. PEARSE. |
| MR. G. PINK. |
St. Mary's Church, Vincent Square, Westminster, was erected in the year 1837, and contains 1,200 sittings, of which 800 are free.
The pecuniary resources which were at the disposal of those by whose efforts this spacious Church was built were only adequate to provide what was absolutely requisite for the performance of Divine Service.
There was, however, much cause for thankfulness that so large and commodious a Church was raised in so poor a district as St. Mary's; and a hope was then entertained that the day would soon come when what was necessarily left incomplete might be accomplished.
Fifteen years have passed away since the Church was consecrated; and the time appears now to have arrived when an effort should be made to supply what is wanting, and to render the interior more convenient, to paint, cleanse, and colour it; and to impart to it that religious decency and comeliness which befits the House of God.
An additional reason for this endeavour is supplied by recent events. Churches have arisen in the neighbourhood of St. Mary's, erected by the munificence of pious founders, which are adorned with architectural beauty, and are among the best specimens of ecclesiastical fabrics that the present age has produced. St. Mary's suffers from the contrast: its deficiencies have become more manifest; and the need of such an effort as has been mentioned is now felt more strongly.
While, however, the exigencies of the case have increased, the means of satisfying them have become less. Some of the less indigent portions of St. Mary's District have been detached from it, and have been annexed to the other districts formed for more recent Churches. Thus the resources of St. Mary's have been diminished; and circumstances of a local character render it undesirable, in the opinion of legal advisers, to press for the levying of a Rate for the improvement of the Church. Perhaps, however, the strength of the present appeal may eventually be found to lie in these difficulties, when they are more generally known.
A Committee, therefore, has been formed, consisting of the Churchwardens of the District, and other inhabitants, and of some personal friends of the Incumbent, the REV. A. BORRADAILE, whose zeal and energy in discharging the duties of the pastoral office in St. Mary's District for more than ten years, through many and great difficulties, have been greatly blessed to his flock, and command the respect and sympathy of those who have witnessed his persevering exertions, and have seen the fruit of his labours.
The Committee are now engaged in an endeavour to raise funds for the reparation and improvement of the interior of St. Mary's Church; and they trust that many may be found to approve and encourage the design.