St Matthew's Church, Blackmoor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Matthew's Church, Blackmoor |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | Blackmoor, Hampshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | St Matthew |
| Consecrated | 18 May 1869 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Listed building – Grade II* |
| Architect(s) | Alfred Waterhouse |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Construction cost | £10,749.10s.11d |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Stone, flint |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Portsmouth |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Matthew's Church is an Anglican parish church located in the small village of Blackmoor, Hampshire, England. It is a very important historical building, recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it has special historical or architectural value and is protected. The church was designed by a famous architect named Alfred Waterhouse for Roundell Palmer, who later became the first Earl of Selborne in 1882.
The Story of St Matthew's Church
Early Beginnings
The first records of a small church building, called a chapel, in Blackmoor go all the way back to 1254. Documents from that time show that the main church in a nearby area called Selborne received payments from chapels in both Blackmoor and Oakhanger.
Later, in 1291, tax records mentioned the "church of Selborne with its chapel," which included the Blackmoor chapel. In 1352, it was noted that the religious community in Selborne was responsible for the parish church there, along with the chapels in Oakhanger and Blackmoor. About a century later, in 1462, this same community paid for repairs to the Blackmoor chapel.
Building the New Church
In 1865, Sir Roundell Palmer, who would later become the 1st Earl of Selborne, bought the Blackmoor estate. He moved there in 1866. At that time, there was a small chapel in the village, likely the one mentioned in the older records. However, Palmer and his family would travel to other churches for Sunday services.
After talking with the pastor at St Mary's in Selborne, Palmer decided to build a brand new church in Blackmoor. He also planned to build a vicarage (the vicar's house), cottages, and schools for the village. He chose Alfred Waterhouse, a well-known architect, to design these new buildings.
The church was built using light grey stone called malm stone, which came from a local quarry. For the detailed parts and corners, a finer stone called Bath stone was used.
Inside the church, on the north side of the chancel (the area near the altar), there is a special plaque. It's made of white marble and was put there by the village to thank Palmer and his wife. The plaque reads: "In gratitude for all the good that under God has come to this parish through their devotion to their Saviour and their love to their fellow men."
Gallery
-
This is a watercolour painting by Alfred Waterhouse from 1870, showing his design for Blackmoor church.
