Chelsea Old Church

Chelsea Old Church is bizarre. Despite its name (All Saints’ to be more accurate), it is a modern-looking building. Within, however, and one is faced by numerous monuments, sepulchres and memorials to the Chelsea’s ancient rich and famous. Not least of these is Sir Thomas More, former Chancellor of England, and Jane, Duchess of Northumberland, mother-in-law to Queen Jane Grey.  These monuments, though interesting, prove quite overbearing, like petulant children coveting their teacher’s attention. How did such historic paraphernalia find itself in a mid-twentieth century building?

Back in April 1941, the fine original church was all but destroyed by German bombs. Five firewatchers charged with tackling fires at the church were killed in one night. After the war, Walter Godfrey CBE was charged with its restoration. All Saints’ church was likened to a jigsaw; its various pieces broken and scattered, for which only a patient eye and steady hand could slowly reassemble. So here we have a 1950s church with a 1550s interior (and some later styles as well).

The individual Christian is the other way round. His body looks old, and looks older by the season, but his born-again spirit is youthful and energetic. His body shall one day wear our, but his spirit shall be received in glory, never to age, ail or die. Although the believer’s mind may also decay, the spirit within, of which the mind is but part, is immune to disintegration, decline and degeneration, for Christ Himself has promised to keep and renew it.

Some of us fear old age, as though we shall end up worse than Chelsea Old Church after the Nazis left their calling card in 1941. Aging and dying are not pleasant experiences, though our Saviour shall certainly ensure that they cannot destroy us.

Even to your old age, I am He,

And even to grey hairs I will carry you!

I have made, and I will bear;

Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Isaiah 46:4, New King James Version