This chapel was built fifteen years ago, for the church then meeting in Alfred-place, under the pastorate of the Rev. G. Bigwood. It seats 650 persons, and cost 6,000_l._ But this outlay included, besides the chapel-proper, convenient class-rooms, and a spacious schoolroom which runs back on a line with the chapel into Neville-street, and is now mentioned as Onslow Hall, a suitable place for meetings and lectures. The Rev. G. Bigwood’s ministry lasted about eighteen years, and he was succeeded in 1870 by the Rev. Joseph Upton Davis, B.A., the present pastor. The minister is a Baptist, but the membership is open to Christians of other Evangelical communions. As a preacher, Mr. Davis has considerable gifts. To a pleasing manner and voice there is a goodly share of refinement, general evidence of culture, and preaching ardour, which are essential to the modern pulpit. “He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches” was solemnly enforced, and the dwellers in Laodicean ease—the “neither cold nor hot”—were keenly rebuked, although affectionately dealt with. The congregation was not a full one; but it was pleasing to note that with very few exceptions all remained to the Communion service, which immediately followed the first service. The hymn after the sermon was followed only by the benediction, briefly rendered, which, as a rule, is somewhat unlike Nonconforming services, in which the preacher generally offers a short prayer, having some reference in spirit to the matter of the discourse. A Sunday-school is conducted in the schoolroom, where, under management, 400 scholars assemble morning and afternoon, superintended by Mr. Mayers. The general services are—Sunday morning at 11, evening at 6.30, Thursday evenings at 7, and communion the first Sunday in the month.
THE Church of St. Barnabas is situated in the Addison-road, and can be seen with pleasing effect from the main road. In the distance the brickwork has a nice grey tone about it, and harmonises well with the stone dressings and tracery and the contrast of the mounting ivy round the pinnacled buttresses gives a picturesque appearance which is much assisted by pretty surrounding foliage. A nearer view, however, is somewhat disappointing as to architectural detail, in which it resembles the chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, which is generally considered the best example of perpendicular Gothic. The west elevation is worthy of description. The gable and pierced parapet partially conceal a low-pitched roof, which is flanked by open bell turrets. The centre of the gable is occupied by a large perpendicular window above the western entrance to the church. This consists of a centre and two side doors opening into a corridor or vestibule, giving access to the body of the building and to the galleries right and left. Flights of steps lead up to the several entrances, which are enclosed by rather lofty railings and gates. The interior, roofed in one span with sub-arcades or columns, is finished with a flat ceiling, relieved and pannelled by horizontal bands and kerbed ribs. Large galleries surround three sides of the church, and at the west end a double tier. At first sight these galleries look almost unsupported, the iron columns are so slender as well-nigh to escape observation. The body or ground floor is fitted with simple square pewing, divided by a centre and two side passages. Close to the western doors stands a bold font, a fair specimen of perpendicular work. The pulpit is tall and plain. The prayer-desk, lower and more ornate, is placed on the north side of a very simple chancel arch, before which the very handsome bronze eagle lectern stands slightly elevated. The chancel is a simple recess, and its entrance is occupied by stall benches. The front of the altar is pierced with tracery, which has a good effect. The east window is filled with stained glass of Georgian school design, strongly reminding us of the Church of St. Dunstan, Fleet-street, where there is a similar window.