King's Weigh House facts for kids
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The King's Weigh House was a special church group in London. They were part of the Congregational church, which is a type of Protestant church. Their old church building, built in the Victorian era, is now a different church. It is called the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile and is located in Mayfair.
The Story of King's Weigh House
A very long time ago, in 1460, there was a building called "King's Weyhows." Two men who worked as porters lived or worked there.
How the Church Began
The church group started around 1695. Thomas Reynolds became their first minister. In 1697, the group built their meeting house. It was built over the King's Weigh House in Little Eastcheap. This is how the church got its name.
The King's Weigh House was a place where "Merchant Strangers" had to weigh their goods. This was done to figure out how much tax they needed to pay. The building was rebuilt after the Great Fire of London.
Important Ministers and New Buildings
Thomas Reynolds led the church until 1727. After him, other ministers included James Wood (1727–1742) and William Langford (1742–1775). Samuel Wilton served from 1776 to 1778. Then John Clayton was minister from 1778 to 1826.
Thomas Binney was a very famous Congregational minister. He served from 1829 to 1869. During his time, the church's original location was needed. It was used to make the roads wider for London Bridge.
So, in 1833-1834, a new church was built. It was in Fish Street Hill and designed by William Tate. This new building could hold 1000 people. Important members then included Samuel Morley and George Williams. George Williams started the YMCA in 1844.
Moving to Mayfair
After Thomas Binney, William Braden and Alexander Sandison (1880–1901) were ministers. In 1882, the church's Fish Street Hill site was bought by the Metropolitan Railway. Many church members now lived in the suburbs. So, they did not need to be in the City of London anymore.
The Duke of Westminster offered them a new place in Mayfair. Part of this land already had a small Congregational church. The church group accepted the offer. In 1891, their new building opened on Duke Street. It was designed by Alfred Waterhouse.
The New Church Building
The church building was made of red brick with light brown decorations. It had an oval main area and a tower in one corner. It was built in a Romanesque style, which is an old European style.
Many companies helped build it. John Shillitoe & Son were the builders. Andrew Handyside and Company did the steel work. G. N. Haden handled heating and air. Craven Dunnill made the ceramic tiles. Burmantofts made the fancy tiles. Hart Son Peard & Co. made the decorative ironwork. The whole project cost £26,495.
Changes and Challenges
After Alexander Sandison, John Hunter (1901–1904), F.A. Russell, and E.W. Lewis were ministers. The next minister, William E. Orchard, started in 1914. During his time, the church's worship style became more like the Catholic Church. After he left in 1932, he joined the Catholic Church.
Something special happened in 1917. Claud and Constance Coltman became assistant ministers. Constance Coltman was a member of the church. She was one of the first women to become a minister in a major English church.
The church faced hard times in the following years. On October 20, 1940, a bomb hit the church during a service. The minister's wife was killed, and another person was hurt. The building was then used as a fire-watching and rest center during the war.
In 1945, 22 members decided to restart the church's work. They chose W.J.E. Jeffery as minister. Claud and Constance Coltman returned in 1946 to help. After repairs from war damage, the building was opened again in 1953.
The Church's Final Years
In 1956, Daniel Jenkins became minister. The goal was to create a special mission in central London. However, things did not go as planned. In 1962, Jenkins became the first chaplain of the University of Sussex.
Roger Tomes then became minister. His job was to help the small Weigh House church join with another church. After friendly talks with Whitefield Memorial Church, the separate services at the Weigh House ended in July 1965.
In March 1966, the church decided to officially close down. They also decided to sell the building. The Ukrainian Catholic community bought it in 1967. It is now the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile. The building designed by Waterhouse was recognized as a special historical building in 1970.
Where the Buildings Were Located
Eastcheap Building
51°30′38″N 0°05′03″W / 51.510519°N 0.084165°W The spot at 16 Eastcheap is now used by Citibank. There is a plaque on the front of the building. It reminds people that the church used to be there.
Fish Street Hill Building
51°30′35″N 0°05′10″W / 51.509777°N 0.086222°W This was the church from 1834 to 1888. The railway company bought the building. Now, it is an exit for the Monument Underground station.
Binney Street Building (Mayfair)
51°30′48″N 0°09′02″W / 51.51343°N 0.150657°W
See also
Images for kids
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The Weigh-house Chapel, Little Eastcheap, in 1780
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The building of the King's Weigh House today serves as the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile.
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King's Weigh House Chapel plaque
