Remember Diana, Princess of Wales working at the Young England Kindergarten? It was located in the hall of St Saviour’s Church. Here we are at St Saviour’s Church in Pimlico. It is an Anglo-Catholic church with a rich history.
St Saviour’s was built in the 1860s. Thomas Cubitt developed this area for the Marquess of Westminster. Thomas Cundy designed the church. He also designed St Gabriel’s Pimlico. St Saviour’s is Gothic in style. It was built with ragstone to contrast with the stucco buildings around it. The church is now Grade II listed.
Let’s delve into the history of St Saviour’s. The foundation stone was laid in 1863. The church was consecrated in July 1864. Its spire was once one of London’s tallest. It stood at 170 feet. The interior was quite bare at first. There were long galleries. They extended from the chancel. They reached all the way to the west end. There was no screen or pulpit initially. Only a small brass lectern was present.
The organ by Hill & Son was installed in 1871. A major restoration occurred in 1882. It was called the beautifying of the church. The galleries were removed. Arcade work was added to the sanctuary. The East window was filled with stained glass. Parishioners generously donated £1,500 for this work. Romaine Walker supervised the project. He was the son of the first Vicar. More stained glass windows were added after 1882. Pictures were also added.
Walker also designed the reredos. It depicts the Last Supper. Thomas Earp carved it. The East window shows Christ in Majesty. Clayton and Bell created it around 1880. The oak rood screen was added in 1911. The baldacchino in the Lady Chapel was added in 1913. Nicholson and Corlette designed it. The side chapel has the Mission Altar. It was originally in the Mission Hall. The screen above the altar is believed to be by Nicholson and Corlette. The font was designed by Romaine Walker. The oak spire was added in 1885.
Between 1887 and 1912, several additions were made. The side chapel was blessed in 1889. The sanctuary was decorated in 1891. A clock was placed in the tower in 1895. In 1911, the church was cleaned. The steeple was repaired for King George V’s coronation. The vicar during this time was Henry Washington. Two stained glass windows commemorate his life. The chancel screen and oak pulpit also honor him.
In 1914, C. O. Merritt Fox published a history of St Saviour’s. He praised those who built the church. He also thanked those who supported its work.
In the 1930s, statues arrived from Oberammergau. These included the Madonna and Child. It was inspired by Michelangelo. Also included were the Sacred Heart and the Stations of the Cross.
Extensive restoration work continued in the 1990s. The south wall was cleaned and repaired. Damaged plasterwork was restored. The church was redecorated. The decorative panels of the chancel ceiling were uncovered. They were cleaned and restored. The Lady Chapel was reinstated. Unwanted pews were removed. This created a feeling of spaciousness. In 2007, the Pimlico Room, parish office, and sacristy were renovated. The Pimlico Room had been subsiding. This was fixed. Toilets were added. A mezzanine was installed in the sacristy. This allowed more space. Major restoration began in 2016. This included a new nave roof. It also included rewiring and relighting. The 1870s organ was restored as well.
St Saviour’s has been associated with notable people. The first Duke of Westminster funded the church. George Cubitt was a descendant of Pimlico’s builder. He also supported the church. The 6th Duke of Westminster acted as Patron. He supported Saint Saviour’s Restoration Appeal. Laurence Olivier’s father was a curate here. Lord Olivier was a choirboy and altar server. Walter Clopton Wingfield was a regular worshipper. He founded modern lawn tennis. Sir Compton Mackenzie was married in St Saviour’s.
The church hall is next to the south wall. The Young England Kindergarten uses the hall. Lady Diana Spencer worked there before marrying Prince Charles. A tree and bench commemorate her. They are located in the hall courtyard.
St Saviour’s stands as a testament to faith. It also shows dedication and community spirit. From its towering spire to its beautiful interior. It has witnessed countless moments in history. It continues to serve as a welcoming beacon in Pimlico.