Fr John Light

First Prist of All Saints' 1861-1885

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All Saints was consecrated on 9th April 1861. Dr Walker had retained the advowson, the right to appoint the Vicar, and exercised his right by appointing the Revd John Light.

He was born in 1818 in Dudley, Worcestershire or, possibly, in Kingswinford, Staffordshire. A graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, (B. A. On 13th February 1855, in S. Michael's Church, he married Hannah Mellor, aged twenty-one.

From his private means, he had paid £2000 to Dr Walker for the completion of the building. He had also contributed £1100 as part payment for the total cost of fittings and fixtures, and a further £650 to settle contracts, building and architectural charges and fees.

However, an article in the Illustrated London News reported that the church was completed "after a time of remaining in a state of threatened ruin" by the brother of the first Incumbent.

The church did not have an endowment and had to survive from its income. Its main source of income was from pew rents which formed Fr Light's stipend and from which he paid the stipends of curates and Assistant clergy.

In its first thirty years All Saints' could not be regarded as a parish in the vanguard of liturgical, ceremonial or ritual advance. The services were to be conducted "in strict accordance with the Church's rule", and music was to be a priority in worship. Dr James Park, New College, Oxford was appointed as Organist and William Sudlow as Choirmaster. Fr Light acknowledged that it would be expensive but it was "influential, when properly understood and appreciated". It showed only a modest influence of the ethos of the Oxford Movement and the wider catholic revival. The main Sunday service was Matins at 11 a.m. It was preceded by Holy Communion at 8 a.m. which, however, was described and advertised as the First Celebration. Matins was followed by the Second Celebration, which was Choral. There was the Litany at 3 p.m. and the final service was Evensong at 7 p.m. During the week the daily services were 10 a.m. Matins and 4 p.m. Evensong. There were Celebrations of Holy Communion on Feast days.

Fr John Light first prist of All Saint's Notting Hill.