St Saviour, Pimlico
Encyclopedia
Saint Saviour is an Anglo-Catholic church in Pimlico
, located at the north end of St George's Square
. It was constructed in the 1860s as part of Thomas Cubitt
's development of the area on behalf of the Marquess of Westminster. The church was designed by Thomas Cundy
, who had previously built St Gabriel's Pimlico a short distance away. As with St Gabriel's, St Saviour's was designed in the Gothic style and built in ragstone to emphasise the contrast with the classical stucco of its secular neighbours. The building is Grade II* listed.
In 1871, the present organ by Hill & Son was installed. In 1882, there was a major restoration
called by a former churchwarden ‘the beautifying of the church’: the galleries were removed, the arcade work was added to the sanctuary and the East window filled with stained glass designed by the vicar’s son Romaine Walker and representing Christ in Majesty (made by Clayton Bell
). This work was made possible by the generosity of the parishioners (the sum of £1,500 being collected) and the supervision of the work by Romaine Walker himself. Further stained glass windows were completed after 1882 and pictures added.
, the church was specially cleaned and the steeple repaired at a cost of £250. The vicar at this active time was Henry Washington who made an outstanding contribution to Saint Saviour’s Pimlico. So much so that his life and ministry are commemorated by two stained glass windows, the chancel screen (erected in 1913) and the oak pulpit.
These notes are taken from a history published in 1914 by a churchwarden. Mr Marritt-Fox concluded his history of Saint Saviour’s by saying: “.... people of the present day ... owe a great deal to the men and women of the earlier date, who did so much by stirring up enthusiasm about Church matters, and contributing liberally of their time and money to build churches, work the parishes, and level up the religious standard of the day. How can we show our gratitude for their efforts better than giving in like manner our services and our money, and in every possible way supporting the parochial organizations and the work which the Clergy are carrying on in our parish at the present time”. In the 1930s the statues of the Madonna and Child (after Michelangelo), the Sacred Heart, and the Stations of the Cross were shipped over from Oberammergau and added to the church.
, descendant of the builder of much of Pimlico. Recently the present Duke
has acted as Patron of Saint Saviour’s Restoration Appeal. Laurence Olivier’s
father, Gerard Kerr Olivier, was a curate at Saint Saviour’s and Lord Olivier was a choirboy and altar server. The founder of modern lawn tennis, Mr Wingfield
, was a regular worshipper, and Sir Compton Mackenzie
, the writer, was married in the church.
. Following her death, a tree was planted and a bench seat added in her memory.
Pimlico
Pimlico is a small area of central London in the City of Westminster. Like Belgravia, to which it was built as a southern extension, Pimlico is known for its grand garden squares and impressive Regency architecture....
, located at the north end of St George's Square
St George's Square
St George's Square is a long narrow garden square in Pimlico, London, SW1. Pimlico's development was started in 1835 by the landowner, the Marquess of Westminster, and the building was supervised by Thomas Cubitt who also designed the gardens...
. It was constructed in the 1860s as part of Thomas Cubitt
Thomas Cubitt
Thomas Cubitt , born Buxton, Norfolk, was the leading master builder in London in the second quarter of the 19th century, and also carried out several projects in other parts of England.-Background:...
's development of the area on behalf of the Marquess of Westminster. The church was designed by Thomas Cundy
Thomas Cundy (junior)
Thomas Cundy, the younger joined his father's practice and ultimately succeeded his father as surveyor of the Grosvenor Estate, and held the position during the main phase of the development of Belgravia and Pimlico by the contractor Thomas Cubitt...
, who had previously built St Gabriel's Pimlico a short distance away. As with St Gabriel's, St Saviour's was designed in the Gothic style and built in ragstone to emphasise the contrast with the classical stucco of its secular neighbours. The building is Grade II* listed.
Building
The foundation stone was laid on the 16th June 1863, and the church was consecrated on the 16th July 1864. The spire, at 170 feet (51.8m) high, was one of the tallest in London. At that time, the church interior looked rather bare. There were two long galleries extending from the chancel to the west end and there was no screen or pulpit, just a small brass lectern.In 1871, the present organ by Hill & Son was installed. In 1882, there was a major restoration
Victorian restoration
Victorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
called by a former churchwarden ‘the beautifying of the church’: the galleries were removed, the arcade work was added to the sanctuary and the East window filled with stained glass designed by the vicar’s son Romaine Walker and representing Christ in Majesty (made by Clayton Bell
Clayton and Bell
Clayton and Bell was one of the most prolific and proficient workshops of English stained glass during the latter half of the 19th century. The partners were John Richard Clayton and Alfred Bell . The company was founded in 1855 and continued until 1993...
). This work was made possible by the generosity of the parishioners (the sum of £1,500 being collected) and the supervision of the work by Romaine Walker himself. Further stained glass windows were completed after 1882 and pictures added.
Turn of the 20th century
Between 1887 and 1912, a number of new additions were made which can be seen today. The side chapel was blessed in 1889, the sanctuary was decorated in 1891 and the clock placed in the tower in 1895. In 1911, the coronation year of King George VGeorge V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
, the church was specially cleaned and the steeple repaired at a cost of £250. The vicar at this active time was Henry Washington who made an outstanding contribution to Saint Saviour’s Pimlico. So much so that his life and ministry are commemorated by two stained glass windows, the chancel screen (erected in 1913) and the oak pulpit.
These notes are taken from a history published in 1914 by a churchwarden. Mr Marritt-Fox concluded his history of Saint Saviour’s by saying: “.... people of the present day ... owe a great deal to the men and women of the earlier date, who did so much by stirring up enthusiasm about Church matters, and contributing liberally of their time and money to build churches, work the parishes, and level up the religious standard of the day. How can we show our gratitude for their efforts better than giving in like manner our services and our money, and in every possible way supporting the parochial organizations and the work which the Clergy are carrying on in our parish at the present time”. In the 1930s the statues of the Madonna and Child (after Michelangelo), the Sacred Heart, and the Stations of the Cross were shipped over from Oberammergau and added to the church.
Since the 1990s
In 1999 the south wall was cleaned and repaired and extensive areas of damaged plaster-work were restored. The church was also completely redecorated. In the course of this work the full extent of the decorative panels of the chancel ceiling was uncovered. These panels were cleaned and restored. At the same time a simple oak central altar was installed in the nave to the west of the choir screen. The Lady Chapel has also been reinstated in the south chancel-transept, and the nave transepts have been cleared of unwanted pews creating a feeling of spaciousness throughout the entire building. Most recently, in 2007, the Pimlico Room, parish office and sacristy have been renovated and restored. The Pimlico Room had been subsiding; this was attended to, and toilets added. A mezzanine was installed in the Sacristy to allow for more space for both office and sacristy.Notable past parishioners
During its history Saint Saviour has been associated with a number of famous and distinguished people. The first Duke of Westminster erected the church at his own expense, with Mr George CubittGeorge Cubitt, 1st Baron Ashcombe
George Cubitt, 1st Baron Ashcombe was a British politician and peer, the son of Thomas Cubitt, the leading London builder and property developer of his day.-Education and career:...
, descendant of the builder of much of Pimlico. Recently the present Duke
Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster
Major-General Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster, , is the son of Robert George Grosvenor, 5th Duke of Westminster, and his wife Hon. Viola Maud Lyttelton. He is the owner of property company Grosvenor Group...
has acted as Patron of Saint Saviour’s Restoration Appeal. Laurence Olivier’s
Laurence Olivier
Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OM was an English actor, director, and producer. He was one of the most famous and revered actors of the 20th century. He married three times, to fellow actors Jill Esmond, Vivien Leigh, and Joan Plowright...
father, Gerard Kerr Olivier, was a curate at Saint Saviour’s and Lord Olivier was a choirboy and altar server. The founder of modern lawn tennis, Mr Wingfield
Walter Clopton Wingfield
Major Walter Clopton Wingfield was a British army officer who was one of the pioneers of lawn tennis. Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1997, an example of the original equipment for the sport and a bust of Wingfield himself can be seen at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis...
, was a regular worshipper, and Sir Compton Mackenzie
Compton Mackenzie
Sir Compton Mackenzie, OBE was a writer and a Scottish nationalist.-Background:Compton Mackenzie was born in West Hartlepool, England, into a theatrical family of Mackenzies, but many of whose members used Compton as their stage surname, starting with his grandfather Henry Compton, a well-known...
, the writer, was married in the church.
Church hall
Saint Saviour’s church hall is situated alongside the south wall. The hall is in use nearly every day of the week, and is home to the Young England Kindergarten where Lady Diana Spencer worked before her marriage to HRH The Prince of WalesCharles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
. Following her death, a tree was planted and a bench seat added in her memory.