WITH Remembrances of the Locality 38 Years Ago . BY AN OLD INHABITANT. PROFITS OF THIS EDITION GIVEN TO THE BAZAAR FUND FOR THE NEW ORGAN AT WESTBOURNE GROVE CHAPEL. LONDON: Printed by Griffiths & Co., “ Paddington Mercury ” Office , 58, Porchester Road , W....

I have thought it would be interesting to you to know something about the locality in which you live, as it was in times gone by. The changes have been marvellous, but not more than many others within my recollection. I knew the time when gas was not used, but when streets and shops were lighted with oil lamps.  When no police guarded our streets, but watchmen paid their half-hourly visits crying out “past 11 o’clock, &c., and a starlight night, &c.” I remember when no omnibuses

Fifty years ago the greater portion of Kensington and Paddington was under cultivation for corn, market gardening, nurseries and grass land. It would appear from ancient records that in past time the temperature of England must have been much higher than at present, for we read of vineyards and of wine being produced in very large quantities.  Of those vineyards, especially about Brompton, there are many records. “Bewick” writes of a spot of ground called Brompton Park as being famed all over th

Formerly a Congregational Chapel, now a Baptist, was erected principally by Mr. Forsyth, head gardener to George III.; Mr. Thomas Broadwood, of Pulteney Street, and Mr. Saunders, body coachman to George III., with whom he was a great favourite.  The King was much accustomed to converse with the latter upon religious subjects.  The first minister who officiated was the Rev. Mr. Hall, of Edinburgh.  The first stated minister was Dr. Lake, who left to take a curacy in the Established Church.  He wa

Was erected 1853.  The first cost was £5,500.  Galleries had soon to be erected at cost of £579, and in 1866 it was thought necessary to enlarge the building by adding 16 feet on each side at cost of £5,895; total, £11,974, the whole of which was raised by voluntary subscriptions, under the pastorate of the Rev. W. G. Lewis.  In 1881 Rev. J. Tuckwell, of Luton, accepted the pastorate, and under his ministry the church and congregation have largely increased.  On the 20th of April, 1882, one of t

The Church and Congregation of this little chapel afterwards built the large...

The names of a few of the old church members are still to be found on the register of the church books at Westbourne Grove Chapel, but the majority have found a better, more enduring home.  “They rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.” Campden Hill Road, at this time called “Plough Lane,” was a private road leading to large houses, one of which had been occupied by Sir I. Newton.  The high Water Tower which may now be seen as a land mark for many miles was not then erected. At

The name was given by a Mr. Adams, who was then occupier of the farm at the end of the lane.  It was named at the time Porto Bello was captured.  In 1844 the farm was called Wise’s Farm, Mr. Wise being the owner. The lane ended outside the Farm, and a gate opened to a pathway which lead over a bridge on the canal to Kensal Green. To the west of this Farm lay the old Farm of Knotting Barns, an ancient brick building surrounded by spacious barns and outhouses.  A road to Kensal Green passed throug

In Paddington 38 years ago were very few.  There was the old church on Paddington Green, and no other except the chapel in St. Petersburgh Place, the minister, the Rev. Mr. Smalley, was rightly highly esteemed; his curate, Rev. Mr. Buckmaster, and the Scripture reader, Mr. Leask, were also powers for good in their day. How well this church has been honoured by the late lamented Archdeacon Hunter his large congregation will long remember.  It seems sad that he should not have lived to see the new