Churches - Bevendean History Project
All Souls’ Church from the Brighton Gazette in 1875
ALL SOULS' CHURCH, EASTERN ROAD, BRIGHTON
Any
person whose business may have led him to wend his enquiries; way up
Edward Street and its continuation, the Eastern Road, must have been
struck by the vast amount of scope portions of these two streets and
their purlieus afford for the work of evangelisation, towards which the
Church of England if beginning to find her true mission so urgently
pressing her. It is not difficult here to find in groups of
disreputable looking men and shameless women, nearly all the types of
vice and profligacy best described under the expressive phraseology of
"the dangerous classes.'' Coarse language and dreadful oaths freely
garnish the conversation of these waifs and strays of society,
offending the delicate refinement, and shocking the religions feelings
of the chance visitor who may incontinently stumble upon a knot of them
at one or other of the many street comers hereabout, and who, if he is
not reedy in giving them the fall a so of the causeway, will find that
they do not restrict to words their assertion of possessive right to
it, but will quickly add the force of hustling to give emphasis to
their by no means gentle and unrestrained flow of language. In fact,
this is a neighbourhood where, especially on a Sunday, parsons who are
not perfectly willing to yield up all their pedestrian rights to the
roughs whom they may come across, will experience a considerable amount
of annoyance, and, perchance, some little discomfort, but no serious
ill treatment. It is along this undesirable street that the way lies to
All Souls' Church, and the worst parts of it bare to be traversed
before it is reached, for it stands a good distance along the Eastern
Road, just at the point where outraged respectability is commencing to
shake itself free from the contaminating influences of those worst
parts of the street which give access to some of the vilest dens of
Brighton. It is not to be supposed, however, that the whole of the
district we have been speaking of is devoted to these dens. They are to
be found here and there, and ate only too numerous; but the bulk of the
inhabitants have no more serious offences to be laid at their charge
than poverty. It was to meet the requirements of this numerous class of
honest hardworking poor people, and at the same time to try and reclaim
some of the lost ones mingled with them, that the church was erected.
How it fulfils the first object, and how far it has succeeded in the
second, will be seen further on.It appears that about the year 1833 the attention of Churchmen in Brighton was turned to the question of providing adequate church accommodation for the poor of the town. A census showed that the poor population of the parish numbered 18,000 persons, exclusive of servants, bed-ridden persons, and children under the age of five years. To meet the church requirements of this large crowd there were only 3590 free sittings in all the churches, and hence it was apparent that something must be done to vindicate the Church's position as the Church of the poor man no less than the rich. The men who had made the enquiry and discovered the want, were no ways backward in providing means for supplying that want, and having speedy recourse to the familiar and ready medium of a committee, soon found there efforts backed up with such a measure of substantial support from all quarters, that they were enabled to take active measures for carrying out the creation of the Church. The Society for the Enlargement and Building of Churches and Chapels gars £500, Mr Laurence Peel (who had been so generous to many Brighton churches and institution) gave £200, the clergy of the town made themselves responsible for the repayment of a sum of £1,000, which one lady liberally advanced; the fishermen the charily schools, the privates of the 1st Dragoons, and other local bodies sent in offerings, liberal according to their means, while from afar came a welcome message in the shape of a handsome contribution from the poor of Pimlico. The altar and reading desk were given by other good friends, and the Sacramental plate, Bible, and Prayer Book were anonymously sent to the Vicarage, while the Registrar, the Chancellor of the Diocese, and two professional gentlemen residing in Brighton, vied with the general liberality shown to the scheme by resigning the fees they were entitled to for services rendered in connection with it. Where everyone was thus so unanimous in aiding the good work, the Committee found their labours considerably lightened, and having secured a site in the Eastern Road, where it was judged a church designed to meet the wants of the poorer classes was most required, were enabled to put the matter in the hands of Mr Mew, who both designed the plan and carried on the building operations.
The scheme prospered so well that the promoters were enabled to have the foundation stone laid on the 29th of June, 1833. From that time the building progressed rapidly, until in the spring of the following year Mr Mew had completed a plain but commodious structure, capable of accommodating about one thousand worshippers. On the 4th April, the Right Rev. Dr. Maltby, Bishop of Chichester, consecrated and opened the church, being attended on that occasion by the Diocesan officials, a number of clergy, and the Magistrates, who, we presume, represented the State at this interesting ceremony. The service was said by the Vicar, assisted by the Revs. G. H. Langdon, W. Raymond, and T. Cooke, and the Bishop preached an admirable sermon, his appeal for funds in aid of the building being answered by an offertory of just over £100.
But extensive as was the accommodation afforded by the church it was eagerly used by the inhabitants of the district, and in 1858 during the popular incumbency of the Rev. R. S. Smith, the pressure upon its space had become so great that it was resolved, to enlarge it by lengthening it by lengthening its east end. Subscriptions were collected sufficient to defray the greater part of the cost of the enlargement, and the work was well carried out by Mr Winder. In addition to the enlargement of the church the seats were also re-arranged and other improvements were effected. The alterations occupied about four months, and the church was reopened on the 3rd February 1859, by the Bishop of the Diocese (the Right Rev. Dr. Gilbert). His Lordship was accompanied on the occasion by the Mayor (now Sir Cordy Burrows) who appeared to attend in his official capacity, and by the late Vicar of Brighton, the Venerable Archdeacon Garbott, the Revs. T. Scott, W. Fleming, W. Kelly, T. R. Rooper, T. Trocke, E. B. Elliott, J. H. North, F. Reade, H. H. Wyatt, E. Clay, E. Hall, C. E. Douglass, J. Ellerton, and R. S. Smith. The sermon at the morning service was preached by the Rev. Prebendary H. B. W. Churton, Rector of Icklesham, and in the evening by the Rev. J. Vaughan. The offertories at the close of the re-opening services amounted to over £60, and went in reduction of the sum of £500 wanting to complete the cost of the work. The workmen who had carried out the alterations were not forgotten, but were substantially entertained by the Incumbent, and the occasion was generally hailed by Churchmen in Brighton as a satisfactory crowning of the vast work carried on in the district.
The church is a plain but apparently strong structure presenting its north side close up to the street. Three large doorways provide abundant means of entrance and egress, and at the west end there is a short tower containing a half peal of sweet bells, and a large clock with quarter chimes, a convenience no doubt much appreciated in the neighbourhood. Inside the church there is very little to attract the attention, and still less to secure the admiration of lovers of ecclesiastical architecture. The entire plan of the building is based on the meeting-house style of the Georgian era, and a stranger entering it before service had commenced might very well mistake it for a flourishing Methodist Chapel, for there is no chancel, the high two-decker pulpit is placed exactly in front of the altar, the seats are all pews, and an enormous gallery runs right round the two sides and the west end. There is no attempt at making up any sort of a sanctuary, and the only thing to distinguish the east end from the other parts of the church is the presence of a window (unpainted) of somewhat more ornamental description than the others, an excessively Protestant altar-table, and the big pulpit, with its first floor devoted to the purposes of a reading desk, and the topmost storey arranged us the preaching place The pews ran right up to the east end of the church on either side of the altar, and there is not the least attempt to provide a reverent separation of the latter from the rest of the church. The galleries are supported by light columns as running from the floor up to the roof, which it made somewhat in a stunted nave and aisle form, so that on each side of the elevated centre portion little lights are placed, which take the place of what would be clerestory windows if the design was larger. The galleries terminate in graceful sweeping curves on either side just before the east end is reached. They are decorated in a light style, in accordance with the plan pursued throughout the church, the pews being a shade darker than the rest, and hence producing a little variety. A pretty good organ is placed in the west gallery, where the choir is also stationed. The church is not an uncomfortable one, however, and looks clean and nice, but we should like to see the great pulpit structure abolished, a little chancel added, and choir stalls with a surpliced choir in them. Then it would be so much improved that we should scarcely know it again.
The first Incumbent of All Souls' was the Rev. Mr Langdon, a popular and acceptable preacher. He was succeeded by the Rev. Canon Ellison, who is now Vicar of Windsor and a leading spirit in the Church of England Temperance Society. Then came the Rev. Eardley Wilmot, afterwards Vicar of All Souls', Langham Place, and then the Rev. Richard Snowdon Smith, a Prebendary of Chichester, who after a quarter of a century's successful labour in the district was succeeded by the Rev. R. L. Roxby, the present incumbent. Mr Snowdon Smith was exceedingly popular during his long and useful career in Brighton, and he did a vast amount of good amongst the lower classes who thronged his church. He was admired and respected by all his fellow clergymen, and everyone who had the opportunity of becoming acquainted with his many good qualities. He was just the man fitted for such a cure as that of All Souls', and when he resigned the benefice much concern was felt that a worthy successor should be found who would fill his place as completely as it was possible to do so. We believe such a successor has been found in Mr Roxby, who will prove not one of the least distinguished men who have held the Incumbency. Mr Roxby is just one of those rate men whom no one has anything to say against. He is earnest and devoted in his calling, genial, sympathetic, and courteous in his necessarily large intercourse with the poorer members of his flock, zealous to do what he can to forward the general work of the Church, and unsparing of himself where his work, for the good of others is concerned. Mr Roxby is a spirited and active preacher, bringing home truths to the heart of his hearers with considerable force, and we trust, good results. He has already made himself popular amongst both clergy and laymen in Brighton, and from what we hear he has a friend in every member of his congregation. Mrs Roxby also shares in the general esteem deservedly bestowed on her husband, and the most superficial enquiry brings to light a flood of the good works which have brought about this affection, so pleasing to witness between priest and people. Mr Roxby is of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he took his B.A. degree in 1866, and his M.A. in 1867. He was ordained priest in 1868, and after holding the responsible post of Vicar of Aldershot, he was appointed to his present Incumbency on May 8th, 1873. Mr Roxby is at present assisted by the Rev. C. Metivier, M.A., who is a graduate of Oxford, and was appointed to the curacy of All Souls’ last autumn. Mr. Metivier's predecessor was the Rev, Mr Edwards, who was much liked; and we believe Mr Roxby has also received substantial voluntary assistance from several young clergymen who have been staying in Brighton. A lay reader (Mr Hart), and a Bible woman, also assist the clergy in their heavy labour.
The services are quite plain, and of the usual type to be found in churches of the Evangelical class. The Psalms are read, the chants and canticles sung to Anglican music, and the hymns are those in Windle's Psalter and Hymnal, with appendix. Mr King is the organist, and there is a mixed choir, who lead off the singing, which is better, and the responses much heartier, than we have found at many Low churches. The custom is here observed of the whole congregation joining in the general thanksgiving prayer. The prayers are read distinctly and clearly; and the services are contacted with becoming reverence and devotion, though, when we visited the church, the mechanical manner in which a number of charity girls, seated on forms at the west end, jumped down on their knees and up again, and cried out the responses, somewhat grated on our feelings. The services are well attended, and although the church gives accommodation for 1,300 worshippers, 960 of the seats being free, there is not a bit more room than is required. The church is almost free, and it seems a pity that the 340 seats rented could not be placed on the same footing as the remaining three-quarters that are free and open to anyone who may choose to enter them. The services comprise Morning Prayer on Sundays at eleven o'clock, evening prayer with sermon at a quarter past three, and again evening prayer with sermon at seven o'clock. On Wednesday evening there is a service at seven o'clock, there is a mission service in the Spa Street Schoolroom at half-past seven on Friday evenings, and a prayer meeting on the first Thursday in each month at the Essex Street Schoolroom. The Holy Communion is celebrated twice a month, on the second Sunday at midday, and on the last Sunday, we are sorry to notice, after evening service. The surplice is used both for preaching and generally officiating in.
Prominent amen get the long list of Institutions connected with All Souls' must be placed its schools, which are on a most extensive seals. The day schools give accommodation for 151 boys, 321 girls, and 151 infants, and are generally full. Last year they earned a Government grant of £333, and had £700 expended on them, towards which £135 was contributed by subscription, and £168 by school pence, the remainder being made up in various ways. There are also four Sunday Schools, two for girls in Essex Street and Warwick Street, and two for boys in Spa Street and Warwick Street. The total number of children taught in these schools is 989, and they employ the time of 95 teachers. About £33, raised by subscriptions and an offertory in the church, were spent in carrying on these schools last year, and a further sum of £75, raised by subscriptions, was expended in providing a treat in summer. An adult library, which we believe includes over a thousand volumes, is situated in Essex Street. This capital institution is not very expensive, only about £5 being its expenditure lost year. There is also a good lending library for children. A young men's association holds weekly meetings for purposes of intellectual improvement and recreation, and from time to time gives entertainments which arc much appreciated.
The charities of All Souls' are many, well-conducted, and in a prosperous state. The mother's meeting, kindly conducted by Miss Mohun, last year expended close upon £130, of which £108 was contributed by the members. An invalid meat kitchen served 2,600 dinners of nice hot roast meat or broth, at a cost of £73. The local club spent £180, of which the members paid in £163, and a blanket club has now been started, which will form a valuable supplement to the coal club. The working society to provide work for poor women, the articles made being afterwards sold cheap to the poor of the district, has elicited the important and significant information that the needlework of the young married women, is not equal to that of the old ones. This valuable society spent about £80. A children's clothing club, though on a small scale, only spending about £5, is very useful, and encourages habits of thrift. Last year a sum of £37 was subscribed for the purpose of providing a sick nurse for the poor, and a woman is now regularly employed in that capacity. A large income, no less than £458, was raised for purposes comprised in the aims of the Sick and Aged Fund, and the General Purposes Fund. About £180 of the amount was raised by subscriptions, and the greater part of the remainder by church offertories. The Sick and Aged Fund affords relief to old folks, or persons suffering from a lengthy illness, and the General Purposes Fund is devoted to miscellaneous matters which do not come under any of the other charities. The conventional district attached to the church is bounded on the south by the cliff; on the north by the park; on the east by Bedford Street; on the west by Atlingworth Street, Mount Street, and Park Street; so that it includes a small proportion of the wealthy part of the town to counter-balance, in some degree, the great poverty of the greater part of it, lit is divided into nineteen districts, each of which has a visitor attached to it, who last year spent £108 in orders for goods to the poor and necessitous.
The Incumbent is assisted by a Church council of sixteen members, who meet quarterly to give advice and assistance in all matters connected with the church and district, especially in matters of church expend. These expenses amounted last year to £172, which earn was defrayed by offertories, donations put in boxes placed in the church, and subscriptions. In addition to the various institutions and charities named above, a sum of £260 was raised in aid of the fundi of the Church Missionary Society, including £50 from a Juvenile Association. During the past ten years a Penny Bank has been in existence, and must have done a vast deal of good, for it has, during that time, received no fewer than 82,117 deposits, amounting to £3,169, of which £2,901 was taken out in 6,683 withdrawals. Last year the deposits were 10,995 in number, and £481 in amount. Including this latter sum, but exclusive of the amount paid for seat rents, a sum of no less than £2,814 3s (£558 1s 1d of which was from church offertories) was raised in connection with this church last year, and for the various objects mentioned above; and this fact abundantly proves that the clergy of the district are alive to their work, and well supported by their congregation. It reflects equal honour upon both pastors and people, and it forms a fitting conclusion to this article as giving suggestive food for thought for others to go and do likewise.
From: The Brighton Gazette on 27 February 1875
