The first builder was unable to fulfil his contract, which occasioned considerable delay; but ultimately it was taken in hand by Messrs. Scriven and White, of Camden-town, who carried out their engagement to perfect satisfaction.
Church work, in this case, is yet in its infancy, and seems to ask for assistance. There are, however, the seeds of what, let us hope, may prove a future moral and spiritual harvest. The population requires to be wrought upon outside the walls, that they may be brought more fully to comprehend their privileges. It appears quite certain that within there are all the means of good to them. The service is devoutly and earnestly performed in its Evangelical interpretation, the prayers, psalms, and creeds being read, and responded to by the congregation. The musical part is Gregorian plain-song; but sufficiently varied to prevent the sense of severe monotony. The choir is at present a mixture of male and female voices; and there is some room for improvement, which will doubtless come when it is assisted by a better organ. The hymn-hook is the “Church and Home Metrical Psalter and Hymnal.” The Rev. Robert Towers, B.A., the Vicar, was without assistance in the clerical portion of the service. He reads in a distinct and feeling manner; and preaches extempore, purely and properly so. His text was taken from Matthew ix. 12: “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick,” &c. In this discourse in simple language and illustration, we verily believe was preached the truth as it is in the Gospel. We could not but wish that the place had been crowded to hear it. The disease of sin was scripturally set forth as inherent in man’s nature, hereditary, loathsome, contagious, and by all human means incurable. Mr. Towers is a preacher who is not afraid to speak of sin in appropriate terms, telling his audience plainly that “it damns the soul and fills hell”; and that in the world wherever it is found, “the blast of the devil passes over, and carries its accursed infection beyond.” As to its human incurability, “Not even religious ceremonies in themselves could avail. Baptism was not regeneration.” Sin would still reign and increase “its deadly and damnable effects in the soul,” for there was “no getting through or living it down. It was very death itself.” “But thanks be unto God that though the wages of sin be death, the gift of God is eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The character and ability of the great Physician, and the Divine mode of cure, through the application of “the precious blood” by “the Holy Ghost” to the repentant sinner, were impressively and unmistakeably set forth, together with the delightful effects in the experience of men. In short, we have never listened to more real Gospel within thirty minutes of time than on the morning of Sunday, November 12, 1871. We sincerely hope the church will soon be filled, from the chancel to the baptistry. There is a Sunday-school with about 150 scholars, and an excellent staff of teachers. A Church of England Young Men’s Society has been established about six months, and supplies a number of very competent male teachers to the school, which at present meets in the church in the afternoon. A near site, however, for a school is already purchased, and will be built upon as soon as funds are secured for the purpose. Mission-rooms attached, capable of holding about 100 persons, are at 15, Appleford-road, where a missionary is employed and holds service Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings; three Bible-women are also doing their useful work in the parish. There would appear, therefore, to be much of the machinery requisite for carrying on the work in this new locality; but the church is entirely dependent on voluntary support, and, the people being poor, that support is as yet but feeble. The weekly offertory was at first adopted; but soon discontinued, being considered unpopular, and boxes were placed at the doors. The financial result, however, is most insignificant; and it is evident that something more is necessary, if this fine church and zealous few are not to be crippled in their energies. An earnest appeal is therefore being made by the Vicar and the Churchwardens, Mr. W. J. Murlis and T. Horsman, for help to meet the expenses. One thing should not be unnoticed; a provident fund is established for the poor, from which the sick, aged, and persons suffering from want of work, are aided in time of need. The society adds two-pence to every shilling deposited by the members when able, and already between 60l. and 70l. stands to the credit of the fund.
ST. JUDE’S, SOUTH KENSINGTON.
The new Church of St. Jude’s, South Kensington, is situate close to the Cromwell and Gloucester-roads, and stands out boldly, tree-less, and alone, a striking object in the surrounding plain, looming largely in the distance. Nor is it less striking on a closer view. It is in the early Gothic style, some fair detail of which it possesses, especially in the character of the west front, which is a happy composition; but its most remarkable features consist in the number of gables, gable-crosses, terminations, and chimneys, the great size of some of its windows, and a certain stilted appearance that the structure has, altogether a whole not perfectly pleasing or picturesque. The view from the north-west is perhaps the most telling in point of effect, but this would be greatly improved by the addition of the tower and spire, which we hope will soon appear, but there is a certain comfortable-looking bell-turret which seems to say, “I answer all purposes required.”
The church is built of Kentish rag and Bath stone dressings, and the roofs are covered with slate in bands of colour. The gates and approaches when finished will add greatly to the general appearance.
If the outside is peculiar, the inside, perhaps, is more so. The building, which is slightly cruciform on plan, covers a large area, about 135 feet long by 87 feet wide. These dimensions are sufficient to give a great idea of space, and this effect is increased from the fact of the floor being nearly free from the usual obstructing columns; for although there is the general arrangement of nave and aisles, yet the slight iron columns, that support the arcades offer but very little impediment either to sight or sound. The acoustic properties are exceedingly good, and the preacher can be seen and heard to advantage from all points; whilst the large north and south windows admit such volumes of light that there is an entire absence of that “dim religious light” favoured by a section of the English Church.
Architecturally the iron columns are suggestive of having too much to do—looking weak and unequal to the task of supporting the pretty nave roof and coloured-brick arches; this is especially the case with the columns at the transepts. The iron, as we have said, from its lightness, assists sight and sound, but then beauty is sacrificed to utility, which to some extent we think unfortunate; but the church has evidently been designed to assist the preacher’s voice, and therefore we must congratulate the architect, Mr. J. H. Godwin, of Brompton, on his complete success. The prevailing buff colour of the bricks, being imitated in the painting of the columns, is not pleasing, and we think may be altered with advantage. The church will hold 1,700 persons, and the galleries add to the auditorium, but are no assistance to effect, and compel the use of a stilted and old-fashioned pulpit.
The organ-chamber and a capital vestry are at the north-east angle of the church, and the baptistry, at the west end, is well arranged and contains a handsomely-designed early font. The east window is of stained glass, illustrating the life of Christ. The doors are ample and admit of good entrance and exit. The pewing is comfortable and compact. The school class rooms and offices below account for the stilted appearance before referred to.