Our History |
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Parish records
We only hold records from c1950 onwards. Records prior to the 1950's are held in the London Metropolitan Archives: London Metropolitan Archives 40 Northampton Street London EC1R 0HB Tel 0207 332 3820 Fax 0207 833 9136 Minicom 0207 278 8703 www.cityoflondon.gov.uk |
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About Saint Silas Church, Pentonville
Many people ask who Saint Silas was. He was one of the companions of Saint Paul and is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. He is sometimes refered to as Silvanus (from the Greek word meaning wood). He is mentioned as an elder of the Church in Acts15:22 he may have been a Jew and was afforded the rights of a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37). Some of the early Fathers consider Silas to have been bishop of Corinth, and Silvanus bishop of Thessalonica.
The church contains a fine image of Saint Silas which was given by the people of Saint Silas, Kingston upon Hull in Yorkshire, He is shown carrying a bishop's crook.
Many people ask who Saint Silas was. He was one of the companions of Saint Paul and is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. He is sometimes refered to as Silvanus (from the Greek word meaning wood). He is mentioned as an elder of the Church in Acts15:22 he may have been a Jew and was afforded the rights of a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37). Some of the early Fathers consider Silas to have been bishop of Corinth, and Silvanus bishop of Thessalonica.
The church contains a fine image of Saint Silas which was given by the people of Saint Silas, Kingston upon Hull in Yorkshire, He is shown carrying a bishop's crook.
The founder of the our church in Pentonville was Father A. L. Courteney, Vicar of Saint James, Pentonville. Saint Silas was carved out of his parish. Father Courtenay bought land (previously the site of a brewery) on the junction of Risinghill Street and Penton Street and a temporary iron church was erected, presumably made out of corrugated iron. S.S.Teulon designed the stone church which replaced the chapel and the foundation stone was laid on 19th July 1860. Father Courteney however had difficulties in the construction of the new church and one particular wall (at the east end) had to be demolished, being to near to the road, it was rebuild further back. He later sued both the architect and the builder for using Kentish Rag stone, a soft stone which crumbles easily after exposure to the elements.
The church was eventually completed by E.P. Loftus Brock. It was altered considerably from the original design, as can be seen by looking at the cloisters, where corbels supporting non-existent galleries or beams can be seen protruding from the walls, supporting nothing. The final plan was very much simpler than Father Courtney's original plan.
The church was opened in April 1863 and was dedicated as Christ Church. This dedication was altered to Saint Silas at the consecration on 16th July 1867. Saint Silas is an uncommon dedication, there being only one other church in the diocese of London with the same dedication - Saint Silas the Martyr, Kentish Town - a not too distant neighbour.
The walls of the church are faced with Kentish Rag stone with a mixture of brick. The nave is wide and tends to take the visitor by surprise, particularly as the exterior gives the impression of a much smaller building. Along ether side of the building there are passage aisles. The attractive clerestory windows are all under gabled roofs, each one different in design and pattern.
The roof has always attracted architects by its peculiarity of having two long wall posts per pier, which support twin tie-beams at a low level.
The church was eventually completed by E.P. Loftus Brock. It was altered considerably from the original design, as can be seen by looking at the cloisters, where corbels supporting non-existent galleries or beams can be seen protruding from the walls, supporting nothing. The final plan was very much simpler than Father Courtney's original plan.
The church was opened in April 1863 and was dedicated as Christ Church. This dedication was altered to Saint Silas at the consecration on 16th July 1867. Saint Silas is an uncommon dedication, there being only one other church in the diocese of London with the same dedication - Saint Silas the Martyr, Kentish Town - a not too distant neighbour.
The walls of the church are faced with Kentish Rag stone with a mixture of brick. The nave is wide and tends to take the visitor by surprise, particularly as the exterior gives the impression of a much smaller building. Along ether side of the building there are passage aisles. The attractive clerestory windows are all under gabled roofs, each one different in design and pattern.
The roof has always attracted architects by its peculiarity of having two long wall posts per pier, which support twin tie-beams at a low level.
The Martin Travers baroque altar to Our Lady of Walsingham is the gift of the American gin distiller, Mr F. Russell Brown, whose family originated in these parts.
There is a west gallery containing a fine organ which came to the church from the redundant church of Saint Thomas, Regent Street (also known as Archbishop Tenison's Chapel, Kingly Street). See the Musical Notes section of this website for more details. In 1884 a chancel was added by William White
The interior of the church is a cream white. The High Altar is of stone marble top with a slate base. The High Altar contains the authenticated relics of S. Vincent (martyr) and S. Victorinus (martyr).
When the church was first build it was not associated with the catholic revival; however in White Lion Street a mission had been set up by the parish of All Saints Margaret Street, a church which at that timehad played a part in the 'Oxford Movement' in the West End of London.
The Mission Church under the patronage of All Saints came to stand for a very much more robust and full blooded Catholicism. Saint Silas church and the mission church became linked together under one administration.
Where Father Preedy had taught the fundamentals of the catholic faith, along with boxing and football, Father Archer added the Papalist extras such as devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to Our Lady, so that Saint Silas and All Saints Mission became as famous, or rather infamous, as the church of Saint Saviour, Hoxton, for what was described as extreme Catholicism.
In Father Archer's incumbency Low Mass was frequently said in Latin. Benediction and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament brought the church into line with the devotional practices of the rest of Western Catholic Christendom. The Children of Mary would meet week by week to say the Rosary together. Marian processions in May were the order of the day and were well supported by girls wearing white veils.
Immediately after High Mass on Sundays in those days, a Latin Mass was said for lapsed Catholics. Indulgencies were to be earned by reciting certain prayers and even by going through certain doors. There was nothing to distinguish Saint Silas, Pentonville, from those churches which were under the jurisdiction of the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. The people responded to it and loved it!
The interior of the church is a cream white. The High Altar is of stone marble top with a slate base. The High Altar contains the authenticated relics of S. Vincent (martyr) and S. Victorinus (martyr).
When the church was first build it was not associated with the catholic revival; however in White Lion Street a mission had been set up by the parish of All Saints Margaret Street, a church which at that timehad played a part in the 'Oxford Movement' in the West End of London.
The Mission Church under the patronage of All Saints came to stand for a very much more robust and full blooded Catholicism. Saint Silas church and the mission church became linked together under one administration.
Where Father Preedy had taught the fundamentals of the catholic faith, along with boxing and football, Father Archer added the Papalist extras such as devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to Our Lady, so that Saint Silas and All Saints Mission became as famous, or rather infamous, as the church of Saint Saviour, Hoxton, for what was described as extreme Catholicism.
In Father Archer's incumbency Low Mass was frequently said in Latin. Benediction and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament brought the church into line with the devotional practices of the rest of Western Catholic Christendom. The Children of Mary would meet week by week to say the Rosary together. Marian processions in May were the order of the day and were well supported by girls wearing white veils.
Immediately after High Mass on Sundays in those days, a Latin Mass was said for lapsed Catholics. Indulgencies were to be earned by reciting certain prayers and even by going through certain doors. There was nothing to distinguish Saint Silas, Pentonville, from those churches which were under the jurisdiction of the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. The people responded to it and loved it!
The church interior still reflects the Catholic way of practising the Christian faith. The shrines are still here, as are the candles which burn before them. The Pieta or Our Lady of Pity is a memorial to those who died in the wars.
The chapel of All Saints at the back of the Church is the old high altar and triptych taken from the mission when it closed. It is slightly Art Nouveau in style.
The chapel of All Saints at the back of the Church is the old high altar and triptych taken from the mission when it closed. It is slightly Art Nouveau in style.
