St Matthew's Church, Brixton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Matthew’s Church, Brixton |
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | http://www.stmatthewsbrixton.org/ |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Matthew |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Charles Ferdinand Porden |
| Groundbreaking | 1 July 1822 |
| Completed | 21 June 1824 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Brixton St Matthew with St Jude |
| Deanery | Lambeth North |
| Archdeaconry | Lambeth |
| Episcopal area | Kingston |
| Diocese | Southwark |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Matthew's Church is a special church in London, part of the Church of England. It is a very old and important building, located right where several busy roads meet in Brixton. This church was built a long time ago, in 1824, after a new law helped create more churches.
Contents
What is St Matthew's Church?
St Matthew's Church is a historic building in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is known as a Grade II* listed building, which means it is a very important historical site. The church stands out at the busy meeting point of Brixton Road, Brixton Hill, and Effra Road. It was built after a law called the Church Building Act 1818 was passed, and it officially opened in 1824.
How the Church Area Grew
Before 1824, Brixton was part of a much bigger church area called Lambeth. The main church for Lambeth was about 3 miles (5 km) away, near Lambeth Palace. This was not very handy for people living in the new homes being built in Brixton.
To solve this problem, four new churches were built. St Matthew's in Brixton was one of them. When St Matthew's Church opened in 1824, it got its own church area, or "parish." This new parish included places like Brixton, Brixton Hill, Herne Hill, and Tulse Hill.
Over the years, the number of people living in the parish changed.
- In 1886, about 13,924 people lived there.
- By 1901, the population was around 12,029.
In 2002, St Matthew's parish joined with another nearby parish, St Jude's. St Jude's Church building had been sold earlier, and it no longer had its own priest.
How Many People Live in the Parish?
Based on information from the UK census, the Diocese of Southwark estimates the population of the parish:
- In 2001, about 12,100 people lived in the area.
- In 2011, this number grew to about 15,500 people.
The Church Building's History
The idea for St Matthew's Church came from the Church Building Act 1818. This law made it possible to build new churches in areas that had too many people for their old churches. The land for St Matthew's was taken from a common area called Rush Common.
Work on the church started in late 1821. The first stone was laid by Charles Manners-Sutton, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury, on July 1, 1822. The church was officially opened and ready for use in 1824.
Since 1951, St Matthew's Church has been a Grade II* listed building. This means it is a very important historical and architectural site. The church was designed by an architect named Charles Ferdinand Porden.
The church building is shaped like a rectangle. It has a large, grand entrance at the west end, facing Brixton Hill. This entrance features Greek Doric columns. There is also a tall tower at the east end of the building.
Over the years, especially in the 1970s, the inside of the church was changed quite a bit. These changes were made to create space for different activities, while still allowing the church to be used for Anglican services.
The church building and its churchyard are in a very noticeable spot where several main roads meet. However, it can be a bit tricky for people to walk to the church because the roads are wide and busy.
Church Design and Features
The church is built on a stone base and uses yellow bricks. It also has special stone and Roman cement details. The main entrance has four Doric columns. You enter through three large doors, which still have their original cast iron boot scrapers.
The sides of the church have five sections with decorative columns called pilasters. To get to the crypt (an underground room), you go down stairs through doors protected by wrought iron gates. The church's tower has a square section for bells, topped by an octagonal part that looks like a "Tower of the Winds." It has a crown and a cross at the very top, and a clock at its base.
Famous Connections
A well-known person, former British Prime Minister John Major, got married to Norma Major in St Matthew's Church in 1970.
