[1]Since the above was written, the semi-circular Engine Shed has been pulled down and a very large quadrangular Engine Shed constructed in its place. The former shed was inconveniently small and not at all adapted to the present emergency. It has been demonstrated by Mr. Kirtley that the system which has been so popular (with Locomotive Superintendents) in the early days of railways of using a turn-table or revolving platform for turning locomotives into the direction required in sheds where they undergo repairing, cleaning, etc., was at all times liable to cause not only delay in the departure of one engine, but in the event of mishap to the turn-table itself, the whole stock of engines would be locked up; hence the erection of the splendid new engine shed at the London, Chatham and Dover Railway Locomotive Works, which is said to be one of the finest and most commodious of its kind in England. It stands upon about 1¾ acres, and some idea of its magnitude may be realized from some of the principal materials used in its construction: namely, 40,000 cubic yards excavation; 6,000 cubic yards concrete; about 3½ million of bricks, besides 250,000 blue paving bricks of the Staffordshire hard manufacture which form the flooring; 30,000 feet of glass; 60,000 feet of slating, 260 tons of iron, and over three acres of boards which form the roof, and the newly-invented steam and smoke conductors designed by Messrs. Mills and Kirtley. There are also offices for the foremen of each department, and separate mess-rooms for the men of various grades employed, wherein their every comfort has been carefully studied, with lavatories, cooking apparatus, etc. Besides boiler-house and standing engine for driving machinery, etc. Also a tank of enormous capacity, made by Spencerlayh and Archer, of Rochester, to supply the engines with water from a well of considerable depth in case of failure of the regular supply from the Water Company's Works. There is also a new coal stage, built upon an entirely new principle, from which engines can be loaded with the necessary supply of coals in less than half the time previously occupied, with a similar diminution of labour. Another great feature in the approach to these Works is that the roads, sixteen in number, all lead from one line of rails. Each road, with pit in the engine shed, will hold five main-line locomotives or seven tank engines. The whole building will hold between eighty and ninety locomotives. The Works have been designed by Mr. W. Mills, C.E., and carried out by Mr. Charles Dickinson, the Contractor, and his Agent, Mr. D. Stubbings, and under the immediate superintendence of Mr. R. S. Jones, C. E., the engineer in charge of the works. Although nine months have only elapsed from the time of the demolition of the former structure to the erection of the New Engine Shed, etc., it is gratifying to state that under a merciful Providence no casualty such as might have been expected considering the number of locomotives running in and out daily has occurred. Mr. W. Wilkinson is foreman of this Branch of the Locomotive Department.Foremen, (Locomotive Department).Erecting ShopJ. Fletcher.Fitting "W. Siddon.Turning "T. Eaton.Smith "R. Allen.Boiler "W. Benton.Foremen, (Carriage Department).Painters' ShopW. Banks.Coach-builders' "G. Faulkner.Fitters' "W. Churchill.Trimmers' "J. Gallop.Saw-mill "C. Picton.Waggon "F. Laraman.
[1]Since the above was written, the semi-circular Engine Shed has been pulled down and a very large quadrangular Engine Shed constructed in its place. The former shed was inconveniently small and not at all adapted to the present emergency. It has been demonstrated by Mr. Kirtley that the system which has been so popular (with Locomotive Superintendents) in the early days of railways of using a turn-table or revolving platform for turning locomotives into the direction required in sheds where they undergo repairing, cleaning, etc., was at all times liable to cause not only delay in the departure of one engine, but in the event of mishap to the turn-table itself, the whole stock of engines would be locked up; hence the erection of the splendid new engine shed at the London, Chatham and Dover Railway Locomotive Works, which is said to be one of the finest and most commodious of its kind in England. It stands upon about 1¾ acres, and some idea of its magnitude may be realized from some of the principal materials used in its construction: namely, 40,000 cubic yards excavation; 6,000 cubic yards concrete; about 3½ million of bricks, besides 250,000 blue paving bricks of the Staffordshire hard manufacture which form the flooring; 30,000 feet of glass; 60,000 feet of slating, 260 tons of iron, and over three acres of boards which form the roof, and the newly-invented steam and smoke conductors designed by Messrs. Mills and Kirtley. There are also offices for the foremen of each department, and separate mess-rooms for the men of various grades employed, wherein their every comfort has been carefully studied, with lavatories, cooking apparatus, etc. Besides boiler-house and standing engine for driving machinery, etc. Also a tank of enormous capacity, made by Spencerlayh and Archer, of Rochester, to supply the engines with water from a well of considerable depth in case of failure of the regular supply from the Water Company's Works. There is also a new coal stage, built upon an entirely new principle, from which engines can be loaded with the necessary supply of coals in less than half the time previously occupied, with a similar diminution of labour. Another great feature in the approach to these Works is that the roads, sixteen in number, all lead from one line of rails. Each road, with pit in the engine shed, will hold five main-line locomotives or seven tank engines. The whole building will hold between eighty and ninety locomotives. The Works have been designed by Mr. W. Mills, C.E., and carried out by Mr. Charles Dickinson, the Contractor, and his Agent, Mr. D. Stubbings, and under the immediate superintendence of Mr. R. S. Jones, C. E., the engineer in charge of the works. Although nine months have only elapsed from the time of the demolition of the former structure to the erection of the New Engine Shed, etc., it is gratifying to state that under a merciful Providence no casualty such as might have been expected considering the number of locomotives running in and out daily has occurred. Mr. W. Wilkinson is foreman of this Branch of the Locomotive Department.
Foremen, (Locomotive Department).Erecting ShopJ. Fletcher.Fitting "W. Siddon.Turning "T. Eaton.Smith "R. Allen.Boiler "W. Benton.Foremen, (Carriage Department).Painters' ShopW. Banks.Coach-builders' "G. Faulkner.Fitters' "W. Churchill.Trimmers' "J. Gallop.Saw-mill "C. Picton.Waggon "F. Laraman.
The number of operatives employed inclusive of drivers and firemen is about 600. The men are intelligent and orderly; they, with myriads of their fellow-countrymen, are assisting in carrying out the great practical issues of civilization. Of such a class of noble-minded, generous-hearted, skilled mechanics and artisans, England may well be proud.
"What says each true workman, where'er he may toilAs bravely he joins in life's busy turmoil,With each sinew brac'd stoutly by duty and love,And the gaze of his soul fixed on heaven above.Oh I'm king of a line of long renown,And the sweat of my brow is my diamond crown;I toil unrepining from morn till night,For I bear in my bosom a heart brave and light,And my labour no matter how hard it may be,Brings ever a joy and a blessing to me."
The London Chatham and Dover Railway was opened 29th of September, 1860. Number of miles open 141. Gross Receipts including 31st December, 1873, £904,509.
The first railway train (London, Chatham and Dover) entered the City of London over the new Railway Bridge, Blackfriars, 6th October, 1864.
Adjacent to the Railway Viaduct and facing the south-eastern gate of Battersea Park is Sargent's Carpet Ground. Here during the Summer and Autumnal months a Gospel tent is pitched wherein Special Religious Services for the people are conducted by Messrs. Simmonds, Swindells, Waller, Rigley, Harris, Smith, Hewett, Crosby, Turpin, Twaites, Kirby, Reeve, Thompson, Eveleigh, Lane, and other well-known Christian workers.
Extracted from the Kensington News.—Amidst the various styles of ecclesiastical architecture which our modern amalgamation of various civilizations has produced, none strikes one as so peculiar as that which is called the preaching tent. Associated as this moveable structure is with the wandering life of the Eastern Arab, its consecration to purposes of modern Christian evangelization is a proof of the intense catholicity and energy of our modern religious life. While thousands of our home heathen never enter the sacred precincts of our churches or chapels, it is a blessing to find that they enter by hundreds inside the temporary canvas walls of our consecrated gospel tents. Very often the surroundings of the localitywhere these places are erected, the kind of services held in them, and the earnestness, homeliness, humanity, and appropriateness of the illustrations of the preachers who discourse at them, have beyond question, great attractions for the class of our Metropolitan inhabitants just mentioned. It calls for no surprise to find gigantic temporary structures of this kind erected amidst the uncultivated and populous "East" for the purposes of religious worship, but we hardly expect to find their tapering canvas roofs amidst the luxury of the "West."
But in these days of change, and strange things, we are not easily surprised, and consequently we passed by gospel tents at Kilburn and Kentish Town without expressing much wonder. Having a desire to see how the un-church and un-chapel going population of this mighty metropolis spent their Sunday out doors, we strolled to the classic ground of Chelsea and found ourselves on the north side of the bridge. This spot has been for several years the scene of rather unclassical and disorderly debates, and open air preaching. This arena of intellectual life was rather dull on this occasion; there was only the ordinary open air service and a few groups of the usual unintelligent and sceptical wranglers. Seeing nothing worthy in what we witnessed to detain us at this place, we strolled over the bridge, towards the canvas cathedral, which has lately been erected there. Having reached the middle of the bridge, the floating banners in the distance clearly indicate the locality where this place of public worship rears its canvas walls, and as we approach nearer we find the well known words "God is Love" neatly inscribed on one of them. At this portion of the road our attention is arrested by a few of the church-going population outside the entrance to Battersea Park, gathered round some open air preachers. At last we reach the south-eastern gate of Battersea Park, opposite which is the front of the canvas cathedral a substantial tent, capable of holding about 300 people. (The tent will seat 200). We were very much surprised to find at one of the entrances a well-executed and coloured diagram of the famous Babylonish temple of the Seven Spheres. We saw from the crowded nature of the audience that the service on this occasion was a very special one, for not only was the tent full but large groups of people surrounded the entrances. A small bill informed us that Mr. G. M. Turpin, a gentleman in connexion with the Christian Evidence Society, was to preach this evening on Modern Discoveries and the Bible, illustrated with diagrams. As we entered the interior of the cathedral, we noticed hung behind the preacher a number of nicely drawn and strikingly coloured diagrams representing views of Nineveh, Babylon, Nimroud, slabs discovered in their ruined palaces, a page of the annals of an Assyrian monarch, representations of a besieged city, and a copy of the Moabite stone.
The service was very simple in its character. It consisted of a few devout extempore prayers, reading a portion of Scripture, and the singing (accompanied with an harmonium) of some of Sankey's hymns. As may be imagined, our curiosity was excited as to how the preacher could make a sermon containing anything spiritual profitable to his hearers out of the pictures behind him. The portion of Scripture selected for his text only stimulated our curiosityfor it was the beautiful words of our Lord contained in John c. 17 v. 17, "Sanctify them through thy truth; Thy word is truth." One felt inclined to say "Sanctification and pictures; a great deal of sanctification the preacher will get out of them for his audience." No sooner, however, has the preacher got into his introduction than the connection between his diagrams and his text is clearly apparent, for he was evidently going to talk about the truth of God's word as contained in the Bible. The text was divided into two parts; first the assertion that God's word was truth; secondly, the instrument of His people's sanctification. In treating of the first division of his discourse the preacher gave forth some very clear ideas on some of the most difficult topics, for revelation, the instrument through which it ought to come and the form by which it was to be transmitted to humanity in after ages, were all noticed, and men as the media, and the book as the written record, and not oral tradition, were shown to manifest the wisdom and condescension of God. "The Christian Church," said the preacher, claims that in the Bible they have a revelation of God's will, and the sublime idea of God in the possession of the Jews plainly proved that it came from God's own revelation. But objectors exist, and modern doubt cast suspicion on the sacred records. What then is the voice of modern discoveries? Is it for or against the credibility of the sacred record? In favour of reposing trust in its statements, for modern science and discovery and exploration have proved the truth of all the historical and geographical details of the Bible, removed many of its historical difficulties, and by its identification of sites of cities which were the subject of prediction, proved its fulfilment and thus borne testimony to the supernatural in the Bible. These propositions were supported by a vast array of facts drawn from the traditions of mankind, the newly-discovered palaces and libraries of Assyria, and the scholar's translation of its clay and stone records.
When the preacher treated the second portion of his theme, the intensely practical nature of his mind was clearly shewn in the way in which while asserting God's truth to be the instrument of the sanctification, he appealed to all present in a most solemn manner to put the important question—"Were they sanctified?" "If you are not you will never tread the golden streets of the New Jerusalem, but while your friends are passing in you will be shut out." Mr. Turpin evidently had the whole of his audience in his mind, for at the end of his discourse he pressed home on the juvenile portion of his audience the beauty of early piety by a contrast between the dying chimney-sweep and Lord Byron in which the character of the sweep shone to the disadvantage of the celebrated poet. Another hymn and prayer closed the interesting canvas cathedral service. Those present, both old and young, evidently enjoyed the service, for they listened with breathless attention for the 100 minutes which the preacher had occupied in delivering his glowing discourse. A brief prayer meeting closed this instructive Sunday evening, which if we may judge from the expressions of some of the audience, will not soon be forgotten. As we retired we felt that many such canvas cathedrals, with able preachers and hearty singing, would lay hold of large numbers of those who are at present outside ordinary religious influences.
The tent was purchased expressly for this object by Basil Wood Smith, Esq., a warm and devoted friend of the working classes and who is a member at present of the Parent Committee of the London City Mission. The tent was originally erected on the triangular piece of ground outside the south-eastern gate of Battersea Park before the roads were completed, with the sanction of Lord John Manners when his Lordship was in office as Chief Commissioner.
Among other respectable firms in the building trade within the Parish may be mentioned the firm of Messrs. Lathey Brothers, Builders, 1, St. George's Road, New Road. Messrs. Lathey Brothers were the builders of St. George's Vicarage House, Christ Church Schools and Residences, Infant School in Orkney Street, St. Saviour's Church, the enlargement of St. George's Church, and the enlargement of St. George's National Schools. Also a Mortuary built in 1876 in the Churchyard of St. Mary's from designs by Mr. W. White, Architect, and the re-interment of all coffins, 1875, in the vaults or crypt under the church 424 in all. Some of these coffins were brought here from St. Bartholomew's Church, Royal Exchange, in the city of London, in 1840. A Record was made of the Inscriptions on all the coffins which were re-interred. This document, which is in the possession of Messrs. Lathey Bros., would form an interesting Obituary if published.
The H.P. Horse Nail Company's (Limited) Factory, New Road, has at present machinery capable of turning out one million nails per day. With the exception of a few mechanics most of the employés are young women. Of late years horse nails have become an important branch of industry and a leading article in trade, the consumption, indeed, being very large; and when it is considered that each horse has in its four hoofs 28 or 30 nails, and that these nails are wearing out all day and all night, and require renewing about every month, and that in Great Britain and Ireland there are at the present time not less than 3,000,000 horses, representing a demand exceeding a thousand million nails per annum the trade is entitled to rank with others in importance and influence. Mr. J. A. Huggett, the inventor of the Patent Machinery employed at this factory for the manufacture of horse nails, has hit the right nail on the head, the quality of the nails having met with the general approval of veterinary surgeons, farriers, and ironmongers. The quality of the iron of which the nails are manufactured has its perfection attributed to three causes:—First, it is the best Swedish charcoal iron; secondly, it is heated in the Siemens furnace; and lastly, which certainly is not the least important, it passes through a rolling-mill worked by steam power, each roller weighs about ten cwt.—Manager, Charles Moser, Esq.
Hugh Wallace's Vitriol Works were situated in the New Road; Schofield and Co.'s Steam Saw-Mills and Stone Works, Stewart's Lane. The saw frames are worked by fly wheels and connecting shafts so constructed that the frame is always level be it ever so high a block sawing; this is done by lengthening or shortening the shaft. By some persons the frames are considered the easiest working ones in London. The moulding machines are by Hunter, Queen's Road, Battersea, specially adapted for string courses and steps. About eighty men and boys are employed at these works.
St. George's Church.
St. George's Church.
ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, Battersea—The following particulars respecting this Church may not be uninteresting. The living is a vicarage of the yearly value of £240 with residence in the gift of Trustees.
The Chapel-of-Ease, as St. George's was called, in Battersea Fields, was built partly by a rate and partly by grant from theParliamentary Commissioners at a cost of £2,819; it is a neat building in the style of English architecture, by Edward Blore, Esq., Architect. Its erection began September 18, 1827. It was consecrated August 5th, 1828, by Dr. Sumner, Lord Bishop of Winchester, and the first church his Lordship consecrated in his diocese. The Rev. J. G. Weddell was the first clergyman appointed. He held the living twenty-five years: died June, 1852. Within this hallowed sanctuary the venerable, esteemed and truly honoured servant of Christ the Rev. John Garwood, late Secretary of the London City Mission, laboured as curate in charge for nine years previous to Mr. Weddell's death. The Rev. H. B. Poer was appointed in 1852. It was made a District Church in 1853. The churchyard was closed as a burial ground in 1858. The Rev. E. S. Goodhart was appointed in 1859: he remained ten months. The Rev. Burman Cassin was appointed in 1860: he resigned and was instituted at St. Paul's, Bolton, 1872: he preached his last (valedictory) sermon December 31, 1872, at a watch-night service.
The Rev. John Callis was appointed January, 1873. During his time the Church underwent alterations. These were begun August 24, 1874, when the side galleries were removed and the church enlarged by the addition of two aisles at the cost of £1,700. The church will accommodate 800. The church was re-opened by the Right Reverend Harold Browne, Lord Bishop of Winchester, November 21st, 1874, at 4 o'clock p.m. The Rev. John Callis left for South Heigham, Norwich, July, 1875.
The Rev. Thomas Lander, M.A., now holds the living, he was appointed August, 1875. The Rev. T. Kirk ordained and appointed Curate to St. George's, September 24th, 1876. Previously to his ordination he had laboured for twenty-six years in connection with the London City Mission, and was much beloved and respected in the district among the people to whom he has been and still is so much blessed.
The population of the Ecclesiastical parish in 1871 was 16,172.[1]The register dates from the year 1858. The area is 443 acres.—John Gwynn, Samuel Lathey, Churchwardens.
[1]St. Andrew's Temporary Iron Church, Patmore Street, was opened on St. Andrew's Day, Saturday, Nov. 30, 1878, by the Bishop of Guildford, late Dr. Utterton. The persons who took part in the service were Canon Clarke, Revs. Lander, Hamilton and Kirk. Rev. G. Hamilton is the Mission Clergyman. Some few years ago a gentleman offered to put up a Church in South London. St. George's Parish, Battersea, was named as being in need of one. A short time after the promise was made the gentleman died. His widow anxious to carry out her deceased husband's intentions, set apart the amount for the purchase and removal of the Iron Church, which then stood in Chelsea.According to the census of 1881, the inhabited houses and population of Battersea were as follows:—Number ofNumber ofInhabited Houses.Inhabitants.St Mary's375824595Christ Church201114404St Peter's11838919St John's10687069St Saviour's174714172St Philip's244417428St George's238020612Total14591107199
[1]St. Andrew's Temporary Iron Church, Patmore Street, was opened on St. Andrew's Day, Saturday, Nov. 30, 1878, by the Bishop of Guildford, late Dr. Utterton. The persons who took part in the service were Canon Clarke, Revs. Lander, Hamilton and Kirk. Rev. G. Hamilton is the Mission Clergyman. Some few years ago a gentleman offered to put up a Church in South London. St. George's Parish, Battersea, was named as being in need of one. A short time after the promise was made the gentleman died. His widow anxious to carry out her deceased husband's intentions, set apart the amount for the purchase and removal of the Iron Church, which then stood in Chelsea.
According to the census of 1881, the inhabited houses and population of Battersea were as follows:—
Number ofNumber ofInhabited Houses.Inhabitants.St Mary's375824595Christ Church201114404St Peter's11838919St John's10687069St Saviour's174714172St Philip's244417428St George's238020612Total14591107199
"I love her gates, I love the road;The church adorned with graceStands like a palace built for GodTo show his milder face."—Watts.
At the east end of the interior and south of the pulpit a white marble tablet mounted on a dark marble slab has recently been erected. Within a wreath of virgin marble most artistically executed is the following epitaph engraved. "In memory of Elizabeth Maria Graham, of Clapham Common, died December 14, 1874, aged 79, through whose devoted and indefatigable labours this Church, the Vicarage, and Mission-room were built and the St. George's Schools were founded. 'The love of Christ constraineth us.'—2nd Cor. v. 14. 'The harvest truly is great but the labourers are few, pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest.'"—Luke x. 2.
"They that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him."—Malachi iii. 16-17.
In St. George's Churchyard the ground has been levelled and the hillocks have disappeared to make it resemble more a garden or field with flat grassy surface studded here and there with shrubberies than a receptacle of the dead, there are however some "sacred memorial," a few grave stones etc., which indicate to the passer-by that this was formerly used as a place of interment. We will just pause to read some of the inscriptions. At the east-end of the churchyard is the vault of the Rev. John Grenside Weddell, twenty-five years pastor of this flock, who died the 23d of July, 1852, aged 75 years.
"I have sinned but Christ hath died."
Also in the same vault are the remains of Caroline the beloved wife of the Rev. J. G. Weddell, who died the 22nd of December 1839, aged 64 years.
"Whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever."—Hebrews xiii.7.
A few yards from this spot a head-stone is erected "Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Ann Puttick of Nine Elms, who departed this life Oct. 5th, 1855, aged 64 years. Also of Henry her beloved husband, interred at the Cemetery, Battersea. 'Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight.'"
Here is a vault sacred to the memory of Leonora the wife of John Charles McMullens, Esq., of Lavender Hill, in this parish, who died 24th June, 1813, aged 35 years. The epitaph states,
"Faithful and meek she bore the willOf Him who to a troubled sea,In powerful words said 'peace be still,'My grace sufficient is for thee."
Also that of her husband, J. C. McMullens, Esq., who died 30th September, 1855.
On the west-side of the gravel walk leading to the entrance of the church a stone slab covers the grave of all that was of Louisa,wife of Mr. J. A. Michell of this parish, who died in child-bed on the 24th November, 1834; aged 23 years.
Far, far remote from objects dear,A virtuous wife here rests;Who ever studied while on earth,To comfort and caress.Her husband, and her parents dear,Now mourn departed worth,Affections was her constant theme,While she had breath on earth.In child-birth first her troubles rose,Her babe on earth abides;Extreme her grief, extreme her pain,Delivered, and she died.Her husband now consoles himselfWith hopes not found in vain,That as her happy soul's at rest,His loss will be her gain.
Also of Sarah Gywnn, wife of James Gywnn, who died May 28, 1850, aged 67. And also of James Gywnn, who died January 28, 1851, aged 77.
Hard by is another grave-stone sacred to the memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart, widow of the late Lieut. James Stewart, R.N., who departed this life on the 10th of —— aged 60 years. The letters on this slab are so eaten away by the tooth of time that we could not decipher the date.
A head-stone marks the grave of Margaret Young, who died August 13th, 1855, aged 58 years. Added to this inscription are the words:
"For now shall I sleep in the dust;And thou shalt seek me in the morning,But I shall not be."—The book of Job vii. 21.
The epitaph on another slab is as follows: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord"—so died on the 24th of May, 1829, aged 56 years—Mary, the beloved wife of B. Jonathan Broad, late Chief Secretary at the Rolls. Also beneath this stone are deposited Barber Jonathan Broad, Esq., many years an inhabitant of this parish, who died the 10th of July, 1831, aged 61 years.
On another grave-stone is an inscription sacred to the memory of Alice Buckney, daughter of Thomas and Charlotte Buckney, of this parish, who died 9th August, 1830, aged 16 days.
Against the west wall in the rear of the houses in Ceylon Street is a head-stone erected sacred to the memory of Elizabeth Dicker, the beloved wife of Job Dicker, who departed this life May 6th, 1858, in the 55th year of her age. At the bottom of this epitaph are inscribed the lines so familiar to us and which all have seen in many a churchyard:
Afflictions sore long time I bore;Doctors were in vain!Death and disease—and God did pleaseTo ease me of my pain.Weep not for me, my children dear,Nor shed for me a single tear:In heaven I hope we all shall meet,Then all our joys will be complete.
Here is a stone in memory of Richard, third son of Henry Roston and Amelia Bowker, who died Sept. 18th, 1849, aged 6 years. His dying words were: "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not." Also Elizabeth, who died Sept. 23rd, 1849, aged 1 year 3 months. Also Alfred, who died Oct. 18, 1849, aged 4 years. Also Mr. Henry Roston Bowker, father of the above children, who died July 23rd, 1852, aged 40 years. Also at the foot of this grave lie the remains of Mr. William Robbins, grandfather to the above children, who departed this life July 1st, 1858, aged 71 years. "Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."
Near the wall at the south-side of the burial ground stands a solitary head-stone sacred to the memory of Sarah Fisher, relict of Jonathan Roundell Fisher, late of Cumberland and Otley, Yorkshire, who departed this life 17th September, 1854, aged 67. The memory of the just is blessed.
Near the entrance to the church at the south-side stands a plain head-stone with no adornment, sacred to the memory of Elizabeth Clunie, during 40 years the beloved friend of Mrs. Graham's family, of Clapham Common. Born at Hull, August 29th, 1793. Died at Clapham Common June 22nd, 1853. Carefully trained by pious parents and by faith engrafted in youth into Christ the living vine. She brought forth throughout her whole life the precious fruits which spring from that all important union, and abiding in Him her end was peace.
Scripture Readers, Mr. F. Vellenoweth, 62, St. George's Road; Mr. C. Brooks, 9, St. George's Road; City Missionary, Mr. H. Langston; London Mission Bible Woman, Miss Hulbert, 1, Ceylon Street.
CHRIST CHURCH is a composition of the early Lancet style, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles and north and south transepts, with tower and spire built of Kentish rag and Bath stone, raised by subscriptions at a cost of £5,556, with sittings for 900. Interiorly it has two small galleries. It was designed by Mr. Charles Lee, and repaired, decorated and re-heated under the superintendence of Mr. E. C. Robins. The first stone of this elegant church was laid by the Bishop of Sodor and Man, on May the 27th, 1847. The living is a vicarage in the gift of the Vicar of St. Mary's. The income is derived from the pew rents. The area is 408 acres and the population of the Ecclesiastical parish in 1871 was 18,720. The Rev. Samuel Bardsley was the first Vicar of Christ Church but not the first minister. For some years it was a Chapel-of-Ease and was supplied by the Vicar of the Mother Church. The Rev. Samuel Bardsley was there from 1861 to 1867. The schools, the Vicarage, and the school in Orkney Street were built during his time. He resigned the living to become Rector of Spitalfields, and was succeeded by the Rev. Edward Cumming Ince, M.A., of Jesus College, Cambridge. In May, 1877, Mr. Ince resigned having suffered from enfeebled health, amid the painfulregrets of his beloved flock, who for ten years had listened to his thorough evangelical discourses and had profited so much under his faithful ministry.
The Rev. Stopford Ram, M.A., Secretary of the Church of England Temperance Society, Instituted (Hospital Sunday) June 17th, 1877, left on account of ill health, July, 1880, and died at Bournemouth, May 22nd, 1881, and buried on Ascension day.
"There remaineth, therefore, a rest for the people of God."
He has gone to his rest, like the bright summer sunAs it sinks in the west when its day's work is done,But only to leave us a little while here,To shine in another and far distant sphere.He has gone to his rest—the journey is o'er,And safely he lands on that bright, blissful shore,Where banished for ever is sorrow and pain,'Mid the harps that are tuned to a holier strain.He has gone to his rest—no longer to roam,The Master has called His dear labourer home;Triumphant he enters the mansions of bliss,And welcomes the change from a world such as this.He has gone to his rest—the race has been run,And vict'ry accomplished through Jesus the Son.Unwearied by conflict, he knew no defeat;His trophies are laid at our Great Captain's feet.He has gone to his rest—we shall miss the dear voiceWhich so often on earth made our spirits rejoice.Yet mourn we? Ah, no! If in Jesus we reignTo-morrow we all shall be meeting again.He has gone to his rest—that sweet Zion to shareWith some of his flock awaiting him there;Like him let us labour, the right to uphold;Brave, patient, enduring, true-hearted, and bold.Alfred Sargant.
The Rev. H. Guildford Sprigg, M.A., the present Vicar, commenced his duties, September, 1880.
"Holy, holy, holy: Lord God of Sabaoth.Heaven and earth are full: Of the majesty of thy glory.The glorious company of the apostles: Praise thee.The goodly fellowship of the prophets: Praise thee.The noble army of martyrs: Praise thee.The holy church throughout all the world: Doth acknowledge thee."—Te Deum laudamus.
"Serve the Lord with gladness: Come before his presence with singing."—Psalm c.2.
Mr. Lowres, of Plough Lane, an energetic City Missionary, has laboured in Christ Church district for nearly twelve years, and his local Superintendents were the Rev. S. Bardsley and the Rev. E. C. Ince.
Mr. Warren, in an adjoining district, is another devoted Missionary.
St. John's Church.
St. John's Church.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, Usk Road, was completed from the designs of Mr. E. C. Robins, selected in competition. It is a remarkably inexpensive church. It provides accommodation for about 750 persons at a cost of £4 10s. per head. The church received a grant from the Incorporative Society for Building Churches upon one-third of the sittings being made free. It is designed in the early English style, with nave, north and south aisles and apsidal chancel, a small western gallery and two bell turrets. Messrs. Sharpington and Cole were the builders, who executed the work for the sum of £3,300. (St. John's Parsonage was built by the same architect). The foundation stone of St. John's was laid August 6, 1862. The consecration and opening took place May 5th, 1863. The living is a Vicarage in the gift of the Vicar of St. Mary's. The area is 157 acres, and the population of the Ecclesiastical parish in 1871 was 7,839. The district assigned to the church was formed out of the parishes of St. Mary's Battersea, and St. Anne, Wandsworth, by an Order of Council bearing date July 27, 1863—(the register dates from this period). The new parish was legally constituted and named the Consolidated Chapelry of St. John, Battersea. The first Vicar of the new parish was the Rev. Edwin Thompson, D.D., who from beginning his work with services in a room in Price's Candle Factory, afterwards, lived to be instrumental in building the two Churches of St. John and St. Paul, together with the Schools in Usk Road, erected 1866, and Parsonage House, Wandsworth Common; a noble monument of his untiring energy and zeal. He died suddenly February 2nd, 1876, aged 51 years. The present Vicar of St. John's is the Rev. William John Mills Ellison, M.A., Wadham College, Oxford.
The windows in the chancel representing John the Baptist, St. Peter, St. Andrew, St. John; the last supper and the ascension to the glory of God, and in memory of Daniel Watney, departed March 16, 1874, aged 74, are erected by his son John Watney.
On the south side of the church the Memorial Windows representing David and Samuel to the glory of God, and in memory of W. H. Hatcher, at rest August 2nd, 1879, aged 58. Erected by Friends and Sunday Scholars. "Their works do follow them."—Rev. xiv.13.
On the north side the Memorial Windows representing St. Paul and St. Barnabas, in loving memory of a dear mother, Martha Colden, who died August 25, 1880. Erected by her only child M. A. B. S. Estimated cost of each window £15 15s. Guard and fixing to each £2 2s.
"Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture."—Psalm c.3.
ST. PAUL'S situated on St. John's Hill, is a Chapel-of-Ease to St. Mary's Battersea, designed by Mr. Coe for the late Rev. Dr. Thompson. It is a stone structure consisting of chancel, apsidal, nave, aisles and tower with spire. It was built at a cost of about £6,300.
"Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God."—Psalm xvii.13.
ST. PHILIP'S CHURCH, Queen's Road, is a Gothic stone building consisting of chancel, nave, aisles and transept with tower, built from the designs of Mr. James Knowles, Junr., at a cost of £13,000. A considerable portion of this sum was given by P. W. Flower, Esq., the remainder was raised by public subscriptions. The church will accommodate nearly 1,000 persons. The living is a Vicarage, yearly value £200, in the gift of the Bishop of Winchester, and held by the Rev. John Hall.
A Mission in connection with the Bishop of Winchester's Fund was commenced in the month of June, 1869, in a house lent by the proprietor for the purpose, in Queen's Road, Battersea Fields. Services and Parochial Institutions were then established, which have become the foundation of those now in active operation.
On July 13th, 1870, the New Church of St. Philip was finished, and consecrated by Dr. Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of the diocese, and who also held his Trinity Ordination at the Church of St. Philip the year before he died.[1]On May 16th, 1871, a District formed out of the Parishes of St. Mary, St. George, and Christ Church, Battersea was attached to the Church, and published in the "London Gazette." On the 6th July, 1871, an Endowment of £200 per annum, which had been promised by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, was legally secured to the Cure of St. Philip, and published in the "London Gazette" on the 26th of the same month. The payments were to date from the day on which the District was assigned (viz., May 16th, 1871), and the first payment was to be made on November 1st, 1871. The seats are free and the expenses of the church have to be defrayed by the weekly offertory.
[1]Bishop S. Wilberforce, born September 7th, 1805, died 19th of July, 1873, through a fall from a horse.
[1]Bishop S. Wilberforce, born September 7th, 1805, died 19th of July, 1873, through a fall from a horse.
A New Organ has been built by Messrs. Hill and Son and placed in the north chancel aisle; the cost with the platform is £516 1s. 11d. If, when the Church of St. Philip was erected, the original design of having a lofty spire with flying buttresses had been carried out, St. Philip's Church would have been the most magnificent Ecclesiastical structure in Battersea.—Churchwardens, W. G. Baker, A. W. Wilkinson.
"They continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayer."—Acts ii.42.
"Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors."—Proverbs viii.34.
We'll crowd Thy gates with thankful songs,High as the heavens our voices raise;And earth with her ten thousand tonguesShall fill Thy courts with sounding praise.Wide as the world is Thy command,Vast as eternity Thy love;Firm as a rock Thy truth must stand,When rolling years shall cease to move.—Watts.
The construction of Queen's Road, etc., on Park-town, Battersea Estate, cost Mr. Flower about £3,000.—C. Merrett, Clerk of the Works for the Estate.
A New Railway Station has been erected in the Queen's Road, on the South-Western Line.
ST. MARK'S, Battersea Rise, is a Gothic building, and consists of chancel, nave, aisles, transept with porch, and western vestibule and handsome crypt. The corner-stone was laid by the Right Rev. Dr. Harold Browne, Bishop of Winchester, November 11th, 1873, and it was dedicated by his Lordship September 30th, 1874. The Architect is Mr. William White, F.S.A., and the total cost has been £6,500. It is seated for 600, with backs and kneelers throughout. Mr. T. Gregory, of Battersea, builder. The living is a Vicarage, in the gift of the Vicar of St. Mary's.
"The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all."—-Proverbs xxii.2.
The dedication festival of this church, in which the late Philip Cazenove took so warm an interest, was agreeably marked by the placing of a stained window of two lights, representing St. Philip and St. James, in the north transept. The name of Mr. Cazenove is inscribed on the tablet of a glass mosaic, set in alabaster, and sunk in the brick-work of the wall beneath the window. Thetablet is a material much used for church purposes by the executants, Messrs. Powell, Whitefriars, and called "opus sectile." The design is simple and chaste, as befitted one whose unostentatiousness was one of his leading characteristics. The window was placed in the transept by his two daughters.—South London Press, May 15th, 1880.
ST. LUKE'S CHAPEL-OF-EASE, Nightingale Lane, is a pretty Iron Church, originally erected on Battersea Rise in 1868, was moved in September, 1873, to the adjacent plot, and used by the congregation while St. Mark's was being built. On November 14, 1874, having been once more removed to its present site it was dedicated anew in the name of St. Luke by the Bishop of Guildford.
"O come let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."—Psalm xcv.6.
ST. MATTHEW'S, Rush-hill Road, Lavender Hill, is a Chapel of Ease to St. Mary's, it is built in the Early English Style ofArchitecture, has vaulted roof and sacristy, seats 550, and cost about £3,000. Mr. W. White, F.S.A., Architect; Mr. W. H. Williams, Builder. The Dedication Service was conducted by the Right Reverend J. S. Utterton, D.D., Bishop Suffragan of Guildford, on Saturday, 28th of April, 1877, at 3 p.m. The Rev. W. B. Buckwell is the Officiating Minister.
"Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; they shall be still praising thee."—Psalm lxxxiv.4.