[Picture: The New Church of St. Mary Abbotts, Kensington, 1872. The Venerable Archdeacon Sinclair, Vicar]
The late church began to supersede the first in 1683. The population even then was said to increase, and the inhabitants, to provide for the increase, built a new aisle on the south side. In the beginning of 1695 the north aisle and chancel were supplanted by others of larger dimensions; and in 1696 it was resolved to take down and rebuild the whole church, excepting the tower at the west end. The cost of this was met by subscription. King William gave 300_l._; the Princess Anne 100_l._; Earl Craven 100_l._; the Bishop of London 50_l._; and the Earl of Warwick 40_l._; the entire expense amounting to no more than 1,800_l_. _ _Bowack, who visited the church in 1705, thus describes the rebuilt church in his “Antiquities of Middlesex”: “In form quadrangular, somewhat broader than long, 80 feet from north to south, and hardly 70 from east to west. Paved handsomely with Purbeck stone. The pewing and galleries very neat and convenient. The pulpit and chancel handsomely adorned with carving and painting.” It might be added that the pulpit and desk were the gifts of King William the Third and Queen Mary, in addition to their contributions to the building fund. The pulpit has a crown inlaid with the initials, “W. & M. R.,” and the date, “1697.”
In 1704, the defects of the recent work evincing itself so clearly by the cracking of the building, it was found necessary to take off the old roof, pull down the north and south walls, and rebuild them; which was done at a further outlay of 1,800_l._
Again in 1772 the church underwent a thorough repair, and the old Gothic tower was taken down and the later one erected.
Once more in the year 1811 the church showed signs of decay, and it was necessary to underpin the walls, rebuild the vaults, and entirely renovate and adorn the interior. This was done at an expense of 5,000_l._, which was met by a church-rate of sixpence in the pound, spreading over three years. This church, now spoken of as the “old church,” was a plain brick structure, with no pretensions to architectural display. The interior was composed of nave, chancel, and two aisles, separated by wooden pillars supporting the galleries. It was spanned from the entablature of six wooden columns over the nave, and three large brass chandeliers wore suspended from the ceiling. There was the royal pew curtained round in ancient style, which long continued to be used by high personages from the Palace. Here the Duke and Duchess of Kent and the late Duke of Cambridge worshipped; and from this very pew the Duchess returned thanks after the birth of our present gracious and beloved Queen Victoria. The brows of other distinguished persons have been seen within the old walls. Sir Isaac Newton, Addison (after his marriage with the Countess of Warwick, of Holland House), Lady Margaret Macdonald, “Lady of the Isles,” Wilberforce, George Canning, Sir David Wilkie, Lord Macaulay, Thackeray, &c.—all of whom were residents in Kensington, were attendants at the parish church. Such were the minor glories of the former house.