Weight: 392 lbs Diameter: 25" Bell 1 of 2
Founded by G Mears & Co 1861
Dove Bell ID: 51637 Tower ID: 18730 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
St Paul Onslow Square
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 268 785
The main front of the building faces Onslow Square at the south-west corner, and the spire which rises above the main door is an important feature in the square. The orientation of this church is confusing, since it virtually reverses usual practice in having the chancel at the west end, and in any case to fit the street pattern, it in fact lies more east-north-east / west-south-west. The impression of the main front, in Onslow Square, is of a set-piece, which is a good foil for the formality of the neo-Italianate houses round the square. The effect of the whole ensemble is much enhanced by the trees in the gardens opposite the church.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Tower and spire, seven-bay nave without aisles or transepts, shallow chancel flanked by stairs to galleries on north, south and west sides. Crypt.
Footprint of Church buildings: 882 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The date of the church, 1860, is surprising in light of its style, which flourished about twenty years earlier. The clue to its later date is the spire externally but there is no guide-line inside. The chancel was added in 1889 by Wallace, a development which was criticised at the time on liturgical grounds as being too Tractarian.
The church hall to the south of the church was added in 1876 by architect Edward C Robins and then enlarged by Wallace in 1893. A further church hall was built in front of the earlier one in 1932 by William Doddington but this was demolished when the parish rooms, including a vicarage and curate’s residence, were built in 1969-70.
St Paul’s was originally made redundant in late 1970s and remained so for about a decade. It was brought back into use for worship as a Chapel of Ease to Holy Trinity Brompton. In the 2000/1 the north and south galleries were adapted to contain office accommodation.
Much of the furnishings and fittings were removed during the period of redundancy.
Exterior Description
The lateral walls of the nave, which are not seen much from any angle, have seven bays divided by buttresses. The western bay has a door in the ground floor, above which is a short, three-light window. The remaining six bays have tall three-light windows with cinquefoiled heads divided halfway by a transom which corresponds with the level of the galleries inside. The walls stand on a plinth which follows round the buttresses and there is an unpierced parapet. The chancel projects little beyond the nave and there is a projection in the corner which houses a staircase. The liturgical 'east' window of the chancel has seven lights with much panel tracery and quatrefoils above. The whole composition is flanked by slim pilaster buttresses.
The north side of the church is obscured by the rectory, but reflects the design of the south, except that the church hall of 1876 adjoins at the north-east corner.
The tower has an ogee-headed doorway in the Perpendicular style in the lowest stage. There are no crockets as might be expected in a door of this style, but the stron finial does cut into the dripstone-shaped string-course which forms the sill for the window above. The window has three ogee-headed cusped lights with panel tracetu above and the hood-moulding has bunches of leaves at the stops. The clock is above this, interrupting a strip of panelling in Bath stone.
At the next stage, the broaches for the spire begin in the upper part and between them is a two-light belfry opening. The angle buttresses which have risen through four set-offs here terminate in crocketted pinnacles. the base of the spire is marked by an octagonal parapet, with castellations.
The aisle walls of each side of the tower meet it in the centre of each side so that it is half surrounded by the nave.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
Unknown
Lower centre light of the second window from the west. It depicts St John the Evangelist in a canopied architectural framework and an inscription which reads:
"In memory of Arthur Cyril Barham-Gould, Vicar of this parish 1935-53. This window was given by relatives and friends to commemorate a greatly loved vicar, brother and friend ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord"
Stained Glass
Unknown
Third window from the west. Scene spread across all three lights but with canopy work which at the same time emphasises the distinct identity of each light. In the left and central, Christ adjures Martha at the tomb of Lazarus with a group of disciples standing in the right hand light.
Stained Glass
Unknown
The foruth window has in the tracery lights Ruth and Lydia flanked by angels bearing scrolls with the inscriptions Eschew Evil and do good and the three lights immediately below illustrate the text (II Kings iv 8) She constrained him to eat bread (ie Elisha and the Shuramite woman). The drawing is bold, as are the colours, especially reds, blues and greens. The three lower lights depict St Peter raising Tabitha and an inscription records that the window was a memorial to Mary Anne Parsey, died 1910.
Stained Glass
Unknown
In the fifth window, the tracery lights contain St James the Deacon and St James the Great, flanked by angels bearing scrolls proclaiming Preach the Word and (somewhat ambiguously) Be Instant while immediately below Christ bids the Apostles (four of whom are distinguished only by their haloes) Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel. Again, the drawing of the heads is very competent. The three lower lights depict a baptism scene in the life of the Early Church Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and they house Acts XVI v31. In loving memory Charles Holehouse Busfield who died March 12, 1905 aged 84. Erected by his sister Cornelia S Hulratt.
Stained Glass
Unknown
The two light window at the east end of the north aisle at gallery level is mostly obscured by the offices and is completely different from the other glass. The text beneath says Jesus took her by the hand, saying ‘Maid Arise’ and she arose straightaway – but the two lights seem to illustrate Charity with two small children and Christ with a child in his arms. The figure of Faith appears in the quatrefoil tracery light. Pre-Raphaelite in manner and uncommonly warm tones in colour. A memorial to the daughter of Prebendary Webb-Peploe, died at the age of 10 in 1888.
Stained Glass
1906
At the top of the north-east staircase is a long low window with four panels illustrating sayings of Our Lord, given by Thomas Harrison in 1906. Bright toned and cheerful. Only one panel is now visible the other three presumably still present but behind a locked doorway.
Stained Glass
Unknown
In the north and south walls of the chancel, set high up, are windows of a single large light which both seem to depict Christ with small scenes beneath which are difficult to distinguish. The north side is damaged.
Stained Glass
Unknown
The great east window of this church is distinguished, like the reredos beneath it and the organ in the west gallery, for its expansive breadth. There are seven main lights, each of which must be approximately eight or nine feet high and some eighteen inches wide, and above them a prodigious number of Perpendicular tracery lights. The subjects are from the early history of the Church, concentrating, naturally enough, on the episodes from the life of St Paul. At the bottom of the main lights are smaller panels with depictions including the Stoning of St Stephen, the Conversion on the Road to Damascus, St Paul cured from his blindness by Ananias, St Paul healing the lame man, the Shipwreck, St Paul in prison. In the principal lights, the scenes are spread over two, three and two lights respectively. The centre three lights show St Paul preaching at Athens; the two left hand lights show St Paul and his companions entering the house of Lydia and in the right hand lights, St Paul preaches to the Roman Governor. The twelve apostles are depicted in the centre tracery lights, flanked and surmounted by other Saints, angels and various symbolic emblems. The whole window is quite admirable, both in the total impact which it makes (eg from the West entrance) and in the design and disposition of the figures and groups. It is probably by Clayton and Bell.
Stained Glass
Unknown
In the lower lights of the nave south window, first from the east, is the window by Arnild Rosencrantz, signed and dated 1930. It depicts St Paul, flanked by St George and St Cecilia – the figures are attenuated and ethereal, the colours striking (pinky blues, cerise and mauve, for example). It is not the best example by this artist but still a work of some quality. It is a memorial to Sir George Kendall Bushe Power, Bart, died 1928.
Stained Glass
Unknown
A two light window at gallery level in the east wall of the south aisle, similarly obscured by the offices. The text says What doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God but the window depicts the Presentation in the Temple, with Our Lady bringing the offering of two doves in one light and the aged Simeon holding the Child in the other. Hope occupies the tracery light. Obviously, therefore this a pendant to the window on the north side. Again very Pre-Raphaelite, especially the figure of Hope.
Building Materials
Kentish Ragstone
Unknown
Slate
Unknown
Roof tiling.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior of the church is long and broad. The galleries, supported on octagonal cast-iron columns, fill all three sides of the nave completely, abrupting at the chancel arch. All the galleries are panelled and painted pale cream.
The wide arch of the liturgical 'east' window is reflected in the even wider chancel arch which opens into a shallow sanctuary.
The roof of the chancel is constructed in three narrow bays, and the timbers are carried on corbels of stone carved with foliage. The roof is a vestigial hammer-beam design. The areas between the rafters are panelled.
On the liturgical 'east' wall, the reredos runs the whole width of the building in three sections, each of three arcaded bays, and above rises the 'east' window.
The nave is carpeted in a deep red.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1927
Given in 1927 by Louisa Whitwell. Made of oak with a panelled front.
Reredos
1890
Given by the Countess of Seafield to decorate the reconstructed chancel. It is of perpendicular stlye, chiefly of stone painted cream like the walls of the church.
The central part which corresponds to the width of the altar has three bays, the middle one wider and rising above the rest of the piece with a cusped arch and crocketted gable crowned by a finial which cuts into the lower part of the west window. The flanking panels are lower openwork ogee heads which stand in front of the plane of the rest. The whole of this central part is framed by square pilasters with blind niches and crocketted pinnacles. The side parts of the reredos stretch along to the side walls of the chancel and are each of three bays with ogee-headed niches and marble colonettes. All the niches are backed with panels of pink alabaster, (originally Mexican onyx on which the Commandments, The Lord’s Prayer and Creed were inscribed) and along the top runs a band of fleurons.
Font (object)
Unknown
Stone octagonal bowl and stem with simple quatrefoil decoration in each panel.
Organ (object)
1885
Case is of oak, the central part with a pointed tower flanked by two flats in which the pipes have been arranged contrary to the cross, and lower again are five panels with pairs of open quatrefoils.
The organ was originall of four manuals, built by Lewis in 1885, and the central part of the case may date from this time. It was rehabilitated in 1900 and again in 1937.
Bells
Weight: 560 lbs Diameter: 29" Bell 2 of 2
Founded by G Mears & Co 1861
Dove Bell ID: 51638 Tower ID: 18730 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 268 785
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Quinquennial Inspections
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