Collection GB 0074 P84/CUT - SAINT CUTHBERT, KENSINGTON: PHILBEACH GARDENS, KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0074 P84/CUT

Title

SAINT CUTHBERT, KENSINGTON: PHILBEACH GARDENS, KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA

Date(s)

  • 1888-1960 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

1.08 linear metres

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

This church served the expanding population of west Kensington, although the Bishop of London was against this plan because there were 'not enough poor people' in the area. The parish was taken from that of Saint Philip's on Earl's Court Road, but its founder and traditions were from Saint Matthias, Warwick Road. Originally housed in an iron shed known as the 'dustbin', which opened in 1883, it developed into the grandest church in the area.

The architect was Hugh Gough who designed it as an austere, lofty structure of Transitional Style and Cisterician type with its proportions modelled on Tintern Abbey, but progress was piecemeal. The congregation was encouraged to contribute funds and also time and skills to decorate the somewhat spartan interior. Led by skilled craftsmen their efforts produced great results in the Arts & Crafts spirit and the church became the grandest and most flourishing High Church foundation in Kensington. In 1958 the parish of Saint Matthias was amalgamated with that of Saint Cuthbert's.

The church hall (built 1896) included a meeting hall, library, gymnasium, and living accommodation for curates. Nowadays it is used by the Saint Mungo community organisation and similar groups and is an active drop-in centre for the homeless and vulnerable.

Archival history

GB 0074 P84/CUT 1888-1960 Collection 1.08 linear metres Parish of St Cuthbert, Kensington , Church of England

This church served the expanding population of west Kensington, although the Bishop of London was against this plan because there were 'not enough poor people' in the area. The parish was taken from that of Saint Philip's on Earl's Court Road, but its founder and traditions were from Saint Matthias, Warwick Road. Originally housed in an iron shed known as the 'dustbin', which opened in 1883, it developed into the grandest church in the area.

The architect was Hugh Gough who designed it as an austere, lofty structure of Transitional Style and Cisterician type with its proportions modelled on Tintern Abbey, but progress was piecemeal. The congregation was encouraged to contribute funds and also time and skills to decorate the somewhat spartan interior. Led by skilled craftsmen their efforts produced great results in the Arts & Crafts spirit and the church became the grandest and most flourishing High Church foundation in Kensington. In 1958 the parish of Saint Matthias was amalgamated with that of Saint Cuthbert's.

The church hall (built 1896) included a meeting hall, library, gymnasium, and living accommodation for curates. Nowadays it is used by the Saint Mungo community organisation and similar groups and is an active drop-in centre for the homeless and vulnerable.

Records deposited on the 17th and 18th April 1963.

Records of the parish of Saint Cuthbert, Kensington, including registers of marriages; registers of church services; church notices; Vestry minutes; administrative and financial documents; records of church buildings and properties, including plans, elevation and sections.

The records have been sorted into categories which reflect divisions between the different functions and operations of the parish and its administration. Order within these categories reflects chronology.

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.

Copyright to these records rests with the depositor.

English

Fit

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

The Register of Baptisms and the Register of Confirmations, both dating from the opening of the church and still in use, are kept in a safe in the Vestry and are in good condition.

See Survey of London, Volume XLII, (1986), LMA Library reference 92.1 GLC; and The Kensington Book, (Starren, Carolyn, 2006), LMA Library reference 92.1 STA.

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

April to June 2010. Anglicanism Church of England Government Public administration Local government Administrative units Parishes Ecclesiastical parishes Religious activities Religious practice Church services Buildings Religious buildings Churches Architecture Church architecture Primary documents Church records and registers Information sources Documents Parish records Marriage registers Protestantism Christianity Ancient religions Religions Vestry Parish meetings Meetings Group communication Communication process Conferences Religion Parish of St Cuthbert , Kensington , Church of England Kensington London England UK Western Europe Europe Kensington and Chelsea Legal documents Catholicism

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Records deposited on the 17th and 18th April 1963.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Records of the parish of Saint Cuthbert, Kensington, including registers of marriages; registers of church services; church notices; Vestry minutes; administrative and financial documents; records of church buildings and properties, including plans, elevation and sections.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

The records have been sorted into categories which reflect divisions between the different functions and operations of the parish and its administration. Order within these categories reflects chronology.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright to these records rests with the depositor.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

The Register of Baptisms and the Register of Confirmations, both dating from the opening of the church and still in use, are kept in a safe in the Vestry and are in good condition.

Finding aids

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

London Metropolitan Archives

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area