All Saints Notting Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints Notting Hill |
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| Location | Talbot Road, Notting Hill |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Anglo-Catholic |
| Website | All Saints Notting Hill |
| History | |
| Founder(s) | Samuel Walker |
| Dedication | All Saints |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 29 July 1949 |
| Architect(s) | William White, with Sir George Gilbert Scott |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1861 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Kensington and Chelsea |
| Archdeaconry | Kensington |
| Episcopal area | Kensington |
| Diocese | London |
| Province | Canterbury |
All Saints Notting Hill is a beautiful Church of England parish church located in Talbot Road, Notting Hill, London. It is known for its connection to the Anglo-Catholic Forward in Faith movement.
The church was built in a Victorian Gothic Revival style. This means it looks like old medieval churches but was built much later. It has striking colourful decorations, called polychromatic decoration. Because of its special design and history, it's listed as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historic building that needs to be protected.
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History of All Saints Church
The idea for All Saints' Church started in 1852. A wealthy man named Reverend Dr Samuel Walker began building it. He was buying up land in the area, which was then called Kensington Park.
The church was designed by a famous architect named William White. He worked with another well-known architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott. They wanted the church to be the main building in Walker's new property area. It was also designed to be a church where everyone could attend, not just those who could afford to pay for their seats.
However, Samuel Walker's plans to develop the area didn't go well financially. He had to sell his land to other people. Because of this, the church building was left unfinished for several years. Some people even jokingly called it "All-Sinners-in-the-Mud" because it was incomplete.
All Saints Church was finally finished in 1861. It cost about £25,000 to build, which was a huge amount of money back then! It was completed without its planned spire. Reverend John Light from Trinity College Dublin became its first leader.
The church's tower is about 100 feet (30 m) (around 30 meters) tall. People say it looks a bit like the medieval Gothic Belfry of Bruges in Belgium.
During The Blitz in World War II, All Saints Church was badly damaged by bombs. This happened along with other nearby buildings. The church was hit several times between 1940 and 1944. Parts of the church, like the Lady Chapel, were destroyed. Luckily, restoration work was finished in 1951, bringing the church back to its former glory.
Church Leaders
From 1931 to 1961, a friendly vicar named Fr John Twisaday led the church. He helped establish the church's tradition of high church worship, which means services are often very formal and traditional. The current vicar is Fr Philip Corbett SSC, who started his role in 2019.
Past Vicars
Many vicars have served at All Saints Church over the years, guiding the community. Here are some of them:
- 1861–85 John Light
- 1885–96 Robert Trench
- 1896–1907 Philip Herbert Learyk
- 1907–31 Herbert Ridley
- 1932–61 John Herbert Cloete Twisaday
- 1961–66 John Herbert Brewer
- 1966–67 John Henry Dixon
- 1967–74 Peter Clark
- 1976–2018 John Brownsell
- 2019- Philip Corbett
Inside the Church
The chancel, which is the area around the altar, has beautiful paintings by an artist named Henry Holiday. These paintings add to the church's rich decoration.
Famous People Connected to All Saints
- Walter Passmore (1867–1946) was a famous singer and actor. He was known for his funny roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operas. Before he became famous, he was a choirboy at All Saints Church!
Organs and Organists
Churches often have large pipe organs, and All Saints is no exception. These instruments are very important for church music.
Church Organs
- First Organ (1862-3): The church's first organ was built by Gray & Davison. It was first shown at a big event called the 1862 International Exhibition. This organ was placed in the south part of the church. Some people thought it blocked a beautiful window.
- Second Organ (1902): A new, larger organ was installed in 1902. It was built by Norman and Beard and had three keyboards. It was placed in the north chancel and north transept.
- Rebuilt Organ (1952): After the war damage, the organ was rebuilt in 1952 by Percy Daniel & Co. The pipes were placed inside the tower, and the sound came into the church through an opening.
Organists at All Saints
Many talented musicians have played the organ at All Saints Church. They help lead the music during services and special events. Here are some of the organists who have served the church:
- Henry John Gauntlett (1805–1876)
- George Benjamin Allen (1822–1897)
- Edward Henry Birch (1849–1934)
- George Ernest Lake (1854–1893)
- Richard William Robertson (c.1880–1936)
- Henry Scott-Baker (1880–?)
- Benham Blaxland (1861–1926)
- Joseph Hurst Bannister (1882–1942)
- Nicholas Jackson (1934–)
- Andrew Tait (noted in post 2005)
- Christopher Myhill (2021–23)
Assistant Organists
- Henry William Richards (1865–1956) was an assistant organist from 1877 to 1879.
See Also
