3-070-795 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Surrey Chapel, Blackfriars-Road (Rowland Hill's Chapel), 1881. 'The demolition of the well-known circular meeting-house, or Dissenting Chapel, in Blackfriars-road, Southwark, [south London] removes another familiar landmark of London social and religious history...It was opened as a free church by the Rev. Rowland Hill on June 8, 1783...Surrey Chapel was never identified with any denomination, but was a sort of neutral ground for all Christians. Rowland Hill's body was interred under the pulpit...In anticipation of the expiration of the lease, the congregation, aided by contributions from outside, purchased a freehold site in West-minster Bridge-road, and erected the present "Christ Church"...Surrey Chapel has since been occupied by the Primitive Methodists. Rowland Hill introduced a variety of philanthropic agencies, which are now in enlarged operation...The Benevolent Society visits annually 500 of the sick poor without regard to religious opinions, and above £500 is distributed among the poor...Temperance and clothing societies and penny banks promote their temporal welfare...This varied work, now perpetuated at Christ Church, owes its origin to the devoted zeal of the founder, who "being dead yet speaketh".' From "Illustrated London News", 1881.