Assistance for the poor parishioners from the parish of St Peter’s, Eaton Square
The Revd William Turle was full of praise for the support he received from his colleague, the Revd G H Wilkinson from St Peter’s, Eaton Square in his mission at St Matthew’s. In his evaluation of his ministry, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the consecration of St Matthew’s, he wrote:
‘The most important and noteworthy event which occurred during my incumbency, was the active sympathy which the Vicar of St Peter’s, Eaton Square, the Rev G H Wilkinson, afterwards Bishop of Truro and now Bishop of St Andrew’s, manifested towards St Matthew’s. Through his instrumentality, a large number of zealous workers from his parish came and ministered to the spiritual and bodily wants of the numerous poor of St Matthew’s. With deepest gratitude do I think of the help and encouragement which these good Samaritans gave me.
By their kindly hands many and many sick and destitute sufferers were assisted in the hour of their greatest need. They often found employment for those, old and young, who had no regular means of subsistence. And in all conceivable ways, efforts were made to better the moral and material condition of the district’. [15]