On Wednesday night, the 27th of December, 1827, this church was sacrilegiously broken into, and the following articles stolen, viz., two plated flagons, two plated chalices, two plated salvers, a blue cloth covering the Communion Table, and a table cloth and napkin for the same; a crimson cushion and hanging for the pulpit, the brass branches from the pulpit and those from the chandeliers in the middle aisle. On Thursday night, the 1st of February following, the church was again entered and robbed of the chandeliers, the brass curtain rods, and the cushions from the churchwardens’ and overseers’ pews.
A reward of £100 was offered by the Secretary of State, and £70 by the parish, for the discovery of the robbers, who were soon after taken, tried at Newgate, and condemned to be transported for life.
The following is a list of the names of most of the rectors, commencing with the earliest one recorded, and terminating with the Hon. and Rev. G. V. Wellesley, D.D., who continued of course rector when the new St. Luke’s Church was completed. The list of subsequent rectors will be found placed in the notice of that church:—
Patrons. Name. Institution. Edward II. Roger de Berners 1316 „ Nicholas Hosbound 1339 Edward III. Martyn de Moulish 1348 „ William Palmer 1368 Abbot & Conv. West. Thomas de Preston 1368 There were altogether 29 Rectors instituted by the Abbot and Convent of Westminster. Sir Thomas More John Larke { 19a} 1530 „ John Richardson { 19b} 1543 Duchess of Somerset Richard Ward { 19c} 1585 C. Cheyne, Esq. Adam Littleton, D.D. 1669 Viscount Cheyne John King, D.D. 1694 Sir Hans Sloane Sloane Elsmere, D.D. 1732 „ Reginald Heber, M.A. 1766 Earl Cadogan and Henry Thomas Drake, D.D. 1770 Stanley Lord Cadogan W. B. Cadogan, M.A. 1775 Lady Mendip and Mrs. D’Oyley Charles Sturgess, 1797 M.A. Earl Cadogan Hon. and Rev. Dr. 1805 Wellesley
The Rev. Dr. Littleton was educated at Westminster School, under the celebrated Dr. Busby, and afterwards became Prebendary of Westminster. He was well skilled in the Oriental languages and in rabinnical learning. He died at Chelsea in 1694, in the 67th year of his age.
The Rev. Dr. John King was a divine of considerable literary eminence. Amongst a variety of works he published a sermon, entitled, “The Divine Favour the best Alliance; or, Repentance the Safest Sanctuary in Times of Danger; preached at the Parish Church of Chelsey,” in 1701. There is in the British Museum a small quarto volume, in manuscript, by Dr. King, containing “Remarks on the Life of Sir Thomas More,” and a letter, designed for Mr. Hearne, respecting Sir T. More’s house at Chelsea. He died in this parish in 1732, aged 80, much respected, and was buried at Pertenhall. The family of Dr. King bear the same arms with Robert King, the first Bishop of Oxford.