The province and purpose of the Temporary Iron Church has been most marked in Kensington. There are but few exceptions to the rule that, as to the later erections Iron has been the pioneer of stone or brick. It is utilized for the first formation of districts and sub-parishes, and for the collection of congregations. The young clergyman settles himself down to a new locality, puts up the Temporary Church at a small cost,—in the midst of bricks and lime, heaps, and scaffolding all around; the houses, however, are soon completed and occupied, and in two or three years he feels himself strong enough to turn his attention seriously to a permanent erection, and in many cases in an incredibly short time the work is accomplished, and the useful Iron friend is sold or hired out to some brother minister who wishes to imitate the process in another place. Of course the Iron Church comes in for its share of contempt from the fastidious. It is “dingy-looking,” unattractive in every architectural respect, and denounced with its so-called “_tin-kettle_” bell as a disfigurement to the neighbourhood, and offensive to the ear. But it does a good work notwithstanding, and ought to be highly prized and respected for its work’s sake. There are, moreover, instances in which some of the objectionable features can be got over, and, at least, the interior of the Iron Church be made elegant and inviting. The nicest individual ought to feel pleased with an interior like that of St. John the Baptist’s Church in Holland-road; where Mr. Edmeston, the Architect, has displayed a taste and contrivance which almost impose on one the idea that he is in a well-built permanent Church instead of a temporary one. He had previously exhibited great taste in his treatment of the interior of St. Peter’s Notting-hill, which is considered one of the most beautiful in London; and with a far inferior subject at St. John the Baptist’s has not been wanting to himself. Indeed, we could scarcely have believed that so good general effect could have been wrought out between iron walls. The people at that Church can well be content with their lot for some little time to come, should it not yet be convenient to build in a more costly and enduring style.
Hospitality Digest
The Church Index — Part 114
2026-11-16 03:33:42 · The Daily Ledger
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