Tag: Diocese of London

St Clement King Square, EC1: saved by accident

The fine-looking early c19 Anglican church of St Clement King Square is little known, though quite unjustly so. Admittedly it is barely visible to most passers by, being tucked  away along a cobbled cul-de-sac beside a small, quiet urban park (King Square) and overwhelmed by later c20 housing developments.

Church of St Clement King Sqaure, London EC1 (2017) [Source geograph.org.uk | ©Julian Osley]
The location of St Clement’s hurch, King Square, London EC1 (UK)
St Barnabas (St Clement) King Square (1828) by T. H. Shepherd (d.1884) [Source: ‘Metropolitan Improvements’ by James Elmes.(British Library HMNTS 010349.s.3)]
Aerial view of King Sqaure, London EC1 (UK)

The church building – originally dedicated to St Barnabas – was designed by Thomas Hardwick (1752–1829) and competed in 1826 at a cost of around £17,000. Hardwick’s design was part of a middle-class garden-square housing development built on land owned by St Bartholomew’s Hospital, and was intended as a chapel-of-ease to St Luke’s Old Street.

This article’s rather oblique title derives from the fact that tn the late 1930’s the church was designated for closure in favour of other nearby church buildings, specifically:

      • St Clement, Lever Street (1863–5; arch. George Gilbert Scott, 1811–78)
      • St Matthew, City Road (1847–8; arch. George Gilbert Scott. Additions 1866: arch. G. E. Street, 1824–81)
      • St Paul, Pear Tree [Peartree] Street (1868; arch, Ewan Christian, (1814–95).
The former church of St Clement (1868), Lever Street, London EC1 (UK). [Source, London Metropolitan Achive. SC_PZ_IS_01_467]
A postcard of the former St Paul’s Church, Pear Tree Street, London EC1 UK.
Former church of St Matthew (1848/60) City Road, London EC1 (UK) [Source: British Museum 1932,1115.6]

However, as a result of aerial bombing during the Second World War those churches were damaged beyond repair and were closed. St Barnabas, itself bombed – but not irreparably – was retained and renovated by the Norman Haines Design Partnership to create a fine neo-classical interior. It was re-dedicated on 12 June 1954 as the church for a newly created parish of St Clement with St Barnabas and St Matthew Finsbury. The people here are very warm and welcoming, and the building is also well used for concerts of music, not least by musicians from the nearby City University.

The neve (2018)looking west, St Clement’s Church, King Sqaure, London EC1 (UK) [Source: ©John Salmon [https://twitter.com/churchcrawler/status/724888263614468097?s=20]
The chancel (2018), St Clement’s Church, King Sqaure, London EC1 (UK) [Source: ©John Salmon (https://twitter.com/churchcrawler/status/724888263614468097?s=20%5D

The pipe organ

The first organ in this building was by the firm of William Hill and Sons, but was lost when the church suffered war damage. The rather nice two-manual organ we find today is derived from the mechanical-action organ by Henry Willis that was originally installed (1876) in St Thomas, Agar Town (1860-61; arch: S. S. Teulon, 1812–73) . That church was closed and demolished in the early 1950s at which point the Willis instrument there was salvaged by the firm of Mander and Sons for re-use, some of it here. The case, console and electro-action are new.

Organ case of the organ in St Clement’s Church, King Square, London EC! (UK)
St Thomas, NW1, organ in south chancel aisle. [Source: “The story of Agar Town : the ecclesiastical parish of St. Thomas’, Camden Town” MORRELL, R. Conyers (London: the author, 1935)]
Console of the organ in St Clement’s Church, King Square, London EC! (UK)
The former church of St Thomas, Agar Town, London NW. [Source: commercial postcard]
Builder’s plate on the organ in St Clement’s Church, King Square, London EC! (UK)

References

A Bevington in Kensal Town

Location of the church of St Thomas Kensal Town, London W10 (UK)
The south side of the church of St Thomas Kensal Town, London W10 (UK)
The north side of the church of St Thomas Kensal Town, London W10 (UK)

The present  church of St. Thomas with St. Andrew and St. Philip Kensal Town (London, W10, UK) replaces an earlier building and was opened in 1967; built to the design of Romilly E. Craze (1892-1974).

St Thomas, Kensal Road, London W10; west end, c.2010; image by John Salmon. [Source: geograph.org.uk]
St Thomas, Kensal Road, London W10; east end, c.2010; image by John Salmon. [Source: geograph.org.uk]

The former church here was opened in 1889, built  to the designs of Demaine and Brierley of York, J. Demaine being described as ‘Diocesan Surveyor’.  The building was demolished following aerial bombing during the Second World War. It has not been possible to locate any pre-war images of the interior of this building.

The bombed-out church of St Thomas Kensal Town, London W10 (UK); north side.
St Thomas, Kensal Road, London W10; The first church building [Source: http://www.sthomaskensaltown.co.uk]

The pipe organ

The pipe organ in the 1889 building was lost to war damage; details of that instrument are given in the National Pipe Organ Register. The present west-gallery instrument is a second-hand 1-manual organ by Bevington and Sons of Rose Street, Soho, London.  This address. and the builder’s plate  would give the organ a date between 1867 and 1896.

Memorial plates on the pipe organ, c.1867-96, by Bevington and Sons, Rose Street, Soho, London.
The pipe organ, c.1867-96, by Bevington and Sons, Rose Street, Soho, London.
The pipe organ, c.1867-96, by Bevington and Sons, Rose Street, Soho, London.
The pipe organ, c.1867-96, by Bevington and Sons, Rose Street, Soho, London.
The pipe organ, c.1867-96, by Bevington and Sons, Rose Street, Soho, London.
A Mason & Hamlin Reed Organ (1918) Style 86 K; to give an idea of the temporary instrument described in the parish records.,

While the previous location of this instrument is unknown,  its recent history can be traced in the PCC minute books as follows:

        • PCC Minutes 21.9.1965. “Organ & Choir. It would be possible and most Desirable. to site Both of choir & organ at West End When type of organ has been decided upon and the Organ Builder so that they can consult with Mr Craze” [Romilly E. Craze was the new building’s architect].
        • PCC Minutes 20.10.1965. ”Makers of Compton Organ inform us that if we PURCHASE  our organ now they will Guarantee to maintain present day price.”
        • PCC Minutes. 5.4.1967 “Organ.  Letter from Diocesan House re organ Stating that they cannot see their way clear to supply cash for organ. Mr Craze is going to see Secondhand Organ which is for sale at £675. For the remodernising and installation of the organ final cost would be approx. £1000.”
        • PCC minutes 16.4 1972 “The 16 stop American reed organ has been given to the Cecil Club.” [The Cecil Club, 1-5 Wedlake Street, was a nearby local authority facility for senior ciizens]

References

W. D. Caröe in Edmonton

St Aldhelm Edmonton, London, N18 1PA

The parish of St Aldhelm in Edmonton, north London is a modest late-c19/early-c20 residential area of terraced streets with a rather fine church.

The location of St Aldhelm’s church, London, N18 1PA
‘William Douglas (‘W.D.’) Caröe’ by Lafayette (Lafayette Ltd) whole-plate film negative, 27 June 1930. [Source, National Portrait Gallery, London. Ref: NPG x70476]
Location of St Aldhelm’s church, Silver Street, London N18

The church was built in 1903 to the designs of W. D. Caröe (1857–1938), and replaces an earlier temporary ‘tin tabernacle’ building. The present building is summed up as “a homely Arts and Crafts version of a basilican church, using free Perpendicular detail“. In 1907 a vicarage – also by Caröe – was built immediately north of the church. The halls date from 1883 and 1907-8; architect currently unknown. (Cherry & Pevsner, 63).

The seast end (1903) of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, by W. D. Caröe.
Tne main hall (1908) at St Aldhelm’s church, London N18.
The first church of St Aldhelm, London N18, replaced 1903.
The west fron (1903) of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, by W. D. Caröe.
St Aldhelm’s church, London N18. Hall, vicarage and church.
Detail of the Vicarage, St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, (1903), by W. D. Caröe
The south side (1903) of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, by W. D. Caröe.

This well-maintained church building comprises a chancel, north organ chamber, vestries and a south chapel, aisled nave with west gallery and bell turret (2 bells). The lower half of each nave pillar is panelled and painted, originally dark green. (Cherry & Pevsner, 423).

St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, by W. D. Caröe (1903), the sanctuary.
St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, by W. D. Caröe (1903), looking west.
St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, by W. D. Caröe (1903), the sanctuary. The reredos painting of the Ascension is by Walter Percival Starmer (1871–1961).
St Aldhelm’s church, London N18 (W. D. Caroe, 1903), panelled aisle pillars, 2017.
St Aldhelm’s church, London N18 (W. D. Caroe, 1903), view north-east, 2017.
Under the west gallery of St Aldhem’s church, London N18 (W. D. Caroe, 1903) in 2017.
St Aldhelm’s church, London N18 (W. D. Caroe, 1903), looking west, 2017.
St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, by W. D. Caröe (1903), looking east.

The arrtist Walter Percival Starmer (1871–1961) was employed (1947-8) to provide additional decoration in memory of the parish dead of the Second World War, specifically a delicate scheme of stained glass and an imposing reredos painting of the Ascension. (Another ecclesiastical scheme by Starmer can be found at the church of  St-Jude-on-the-Hill in Hampstead, London; stained glass and murals).

Stained glass (1947-8) by W. P Starmer (1871–1961) in the south aisle of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, in 2017.
Stained glass (1947-8) by W. P Starmer (1871–1961) in the north aisle of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, in 2017.
Stained glass (1947-8) by W. P Starmer (1871–1961) in the north aisle of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, in 2017.
Stained glass (1947-8) by W. P Starmer (1871–1961) in the north aisle of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, in 2017.
Stained glass (1947-8) by W. P Starmer (1871–1961) in the south aisle of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, in 2017.
Stained glass (1947-8) by W. P Starmer (1871–1961) in the south aisle of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, in 2017.
Stained glass (1947-8) by W. P Starmer (1871–1961) in the south aisle of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, in 2017.
Stained glass (1947-8) by W. P Starmer (1871–1961) in the south aisle of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, in 2017.
Stained glass (1947-8) by W. P Starmer (1871–1961) in the north aisle of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, in 2017.
Stained glass (1947-8) by W. P Starmer (1871–1961) in the south aisle of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, in 2017.
Stained glass (1947-8) by W. P Starmer (1871–1961) on the south side of the west wall of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, in 2017.
Stained glass (1947-8) by W. P Starmer (1871–1961) in the Lady Chapel of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, in 2017.
Stained glass (1947-8) by W. P Starmer (1871–1961) in the north aisle of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, in 2017.
‘The Ascension’, painting by W. P. Starmer ((1871–1961) above the main altar in the church of St Aldhelm, London N18 (W. D. Caroe, 1903), in 2017.
Stained glass (1947-8) by W. P Starmer (1871–1961) on the south side of the west wall of St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, in 2017.

Each of the internal doors is made to its own design with distinctive metalwork … as these examples demonstrate

Internal south-west-entrance doors in 2017, St Aldhelm’s church, London N18 (W. D. Caroe, 1903).
Door from choir vestrey to nave, in 2017, St Aldhelm’s church, London N18 (W. D. Caroe, 1903)
Internal south-east-entrance doors in 2017, St Aldhelm’s church, London N18 (W. D. Caroe, 1903).
Door from choir vestrey to chancel, in 2017, St Aldhelm’s church (W. D. Caroe, 1903)
Door between choir and clergy vestries in 2017, St Aldhelm’s church, London N18 (W. D. Caroe, 1903)
Internal west=entrance doors in 2017, St Aldhelm’s church, London N18 (W. D. Caroe, 1903).

The pulpit by W. R. Dale (n.d.) came  from the redundant (1951) London church of St Mary, Spital Square. (Cherry & Pevsner, 63). While the brass lectern seems generic of the period the font seems as if it might be part of Caröe ‘s design not least because of the metalwork on the font’s cover.

Lectern at St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, in 2017.
Pulpit by W. R. Dale at St Aldhelm’s church, London N18, originally in St Mary Spital, London E1, in 2017.
The font at St Aldhelm’s church, London N18 (W. D. Caroe, 1903) in 2017.
Detail of ironwork on the the font cover at St Aldhelm’s church, London N18 (W. D. Caroe, 1903), in 2017.

The cost of the new church and vicarage was paid for out of the £36,000 proceeds of the sale of St. Michael Bassishaw church in the City of London (by Christopher Wren, 1679, demolished 1900), a portion of which had already paid for the construction of the nearby church and vicarage of St Michael, Bury Street in Edmonton (also by Caröe, 1901), now converted to secular residential use.

The former St Miichel’s church and vicarage, Bury Street, London N9, by W. D. Caröe (1901)
‘St Michael Bassishaw’ by John Coney (1786-1833), engraved by Joseph Skelton (1783-1871) in “Architectura Ecclesiastica Londini; being a Series of Views” (London: J. Booth, 1812).

The pipe organ

The pipe organ in St Aldhelm’s was built and installed in 1905 by the short-lived north-London firm of Frederick Halliday (fl. 1905-13). Although an unremarkable instrument it is in good condition and quite adequate for accompanying the parish liturgy.

St Aldhelm’s church London N18; the pipe organ (1905) by Frederick Halliday, London.
St Aldhelm’s church London N18; the pipe organ (1905) by Frederick Halliday, London.
St Aldhelm’s church London N18; the pipe organ (1905) by Frederick Halliday, London.
St Aldhelm’s church London N18; the pipe organ (1905) by Frederick Halliday, London.
St Aldhelm’s church London N18; the pipe organ (1905) by Frederick Halliday, London.
St Aldhelm’s church London N18; the pipe organ (1905) by Frederick Halliday, London.
St Aldhelm’s church London N18; the pipe organ (1905) by Frederick Halliday, London.
St Aldhelm’s church London N18; the pipe organ (1905) by Frederick Halliday, London.

Sources

  • ‘W. D. Caröe‘ in Wikipedia. Online resource, accessed 21 November 2017.
  • ‘Edmonton: Churches’, in A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 5, ed. T F T Baker and R B Pugh (London, 1976), pp. 181-187. British History Online. Online resource accessed 21 November 2017.
  • ‘Frederick Hallliday’ in Directory of British Organ Builders (British Institute of Organ Studies, 2017) Online resource, acccessed 21 November 2017.
  • ‘St Aldhelm’ in The Buildings of England. London 4: North by B. Cherry and N. Pevsner (London: Tale University Press, 2002), p. 63; p. 423.
  • ‘St Aldhelm, Silver Street‘ in The National Pipe Organ Register. Online resource, accessed 21 November 2017.
  • ‘St Aldhelm Upper Edmonton‘ in A Church near You (Archbishop’s Council, 2017), Online resource, accessed 21 November 2017.
  • ‘St Michael Bassishaw‘ in Wikipedia. Online resource, accessed 21 november 2017.
  • Walter Percival Starmer. Artist 1877-1961. Onine resource, accessed 21 November 2017