St Matthew's Church, Moorfields facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Matthew's Church, Moorfields
St Matthew's Church
General information
Town or city	Bristol
Country	England
Coordinates	51°27′30″N 2°33′34″W / 51.4582°N 2.5595°W / 51.4582; -2.5595
Construction started	1873
Completed	1887
Design and construction
Architect	J.C. Neale

St Matthew's Church was an old Anglican church building in Bristol, England. It was located in an area called Redfield, on a road known as Church Road. This road is part of the larger A420 route.

The Story of St Matthew's Church

Building a New Church

St Matthew's Church was built in 1873. It was needed to serve a new area called Moorfields. This area was created from parts of two other church areas: St George and Easton.

The church was designed by an architect named J.C. Neale. It was built in the Gothic style. This style looks like the grand churches from the Middle Ages. The main part of the church was finished in 1873. However, a section called the south aisle was not added until 1887.

Important People Connected to the Church

Many interesting people worked at St Matthew's Church. One of them was Mervyn Stockwood. He later became a very important church leader, the Bishop of Southwark. Mervyn Stockwood worked at St Matthew's as a curate (a junior priest) from 1936 to 1941. He then became the vicar (the main priest) from 1941 to 1955.

Another notable person was John Robinson. He later became the Bishop of Woolwich. He also wrote a famous book called Honest to God. St Matthew's was his very first job after he became a priest. He worked there as a curate from 1945 to 1948.

What Happened to the Church?

St Matthew's Church closed its doors in 1999. It is no longer used as a church. Instead, the building has been changed into apartments and offices. Today, it is known as Stockwood Chambers.

The area that St Matthew's Church used to serve is now part of a larger church area. This new area includes St Luke with Christ Church, Barton Hill, and St Matthew, Moorfields.