Alterations: St. Paul's Church, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, WILTON PLACE, KNIGHTSBRIDGE - Some extensive alterations have been in progress here from the designs and under the superintendence of the architect, Mr. R. J. Withers, of 11 Adam Street, Adelphi. A new vestry with organ gallery over has been erected, and the chancel has been extended about 10 feet into the nave, and decorated throughout by Messrs. Bell and Almond, Of Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square. The work is executed in stencil pattern in oil, the prevailing colour of the ground being buff, with olive green pattern over, and chocolate sparingly introduced on the walls, and predominating in the groining and spandrels, while figure decoration, angels and similar subjects, are introduced. The reredos executed by the same firm contains three handsome carvings in alabaster, freely gilt, and in high relief, the centre representing the Crucifixion, with side panels on either hand of which the subjects am St. Peter and St. Paul; on either side of the window and running the height of the chancel are carved and decorated canopies in Bath stone, containing on either side three niches, rising above each other, and each containing its appropriate statue. On the south side of the chancel is a new stained-glass window, executed by Messrs. Wailes, of Newcastle, and the gift of the vicar, the Hon. and Rev. Mr. Liddell. Below the reredos is the reed table of Devonshire marble, supported upon bracket' of Sicilian, the small panels between filled with brilliant mosaic in green and gold. The paving is of Minton's tiles, intersected by inlays of polished marble, with dark narrow chocolate bands and small white marble squares 8t the intersections. The chancel steps are of “Dove marble," the dark grey tint contrasting favourably with the prevailing chocolate hue of the tiling. On the north of the chancel over the new vestry is the gallery: the organ, one of the finest in London, has been removed from the other end of the church, and is now in the hands of Messrs. Gray and Davidson, of Euston Road, for extension and repair. The central aisle has been repaved with encaustic tiles supplied by Mr. M'Collo of Victoria Street; at the further end, the space hitherto occupied by the organ has been utilised as a gallery, a new front etc. having been provided, and seventy additional seats are thus obtained. There are also new carved oak stalls in the chancel, and new seats on either side of the by the chancel steps. Underneath the new vestry is the general heating apparatus, supplied by Potter, of South Molton Street. The gas-fittings in the chancel, very light and characteristic, the standards of polished brass supporting the chancel rail, and the light wrought gates to the chancel, are by Messrs. Hart, Son and Peard and Company of Wych Street. The general contract was in the hands of Messrs Dove, of Studd Street, Islington, at a figure approaching £4,000. The external character of the additions is, of course, in accordance with the existing structure. - plain Suffolk facings, which have been coloured to harmonise with the tint of the old work, and Bath-stone dressings; the style being the Perpendicular.

Reference           The Architect 11 March 1871 page 132