St Matthew's Church, Wolverhampton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Matthew’s Church, Wolverhampton
St Matthew’s Church, Wolverhampton
52°34′57.53″N 2°5′54.75″W / 52.5826472°N 2.0985417°W / 52.5826472; -2.0985417
Location	Wolverhampton
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Website	stmatthewswolves.com
History
Dedication	St Matthew
Architecture
Architect(s)	Peter Brownhill
Completed	1969
Administration
Parish	St Matthew Wolverhampton
Deanery	Wolverhampton
Archdeaconry	Walsall
Diocese	Diocese of Lichfield

St Matthew's Church in Wolverhampton is a special building where people go to worship. It's part of the Church of England, which is the main Christian church in England. This church is dedicated to St Matthew.

The First Church Building

The very first St Matthew's Church was built a long time ago in 1849. It was located in an area called Lower Horseley Fields in Wolverhampton.

Who Designed and Built It?

• An architect named Edward Banks designed the church.
• John Cockerill, a builder from Wolverhampton, constructed it.
• The church cost about £3,300 to build.
• The land it stood on cost an extra £1,200.

What Did It Look Like?

• The church had a main hall called a nave with side sections called aisles.
• It also had a chancel, which is the part of the church near the altar.
• There was a small tower for bells on the west side.
• It had two entrances, one on the north and one on the south.
• A sacristy, a room for priests to prepare, stuck out from the church.

When Was It Opened?

• The Bishop of Lichfield officially opened the church on November 20, 1849. This special ceremony is called a consecration.

The New Church Building

The first church building was taken down in 1964. A brand new church was then designed by an architect named Peter Brownhill. This new building opened its doors in 1969. It is located on East Park Way.

Famous People Connected to the Church

• Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin worked at St Matthew's Church in the early to mid-1990s.
• She was a Curate there, which is a priest who is still training.
• Later, she became the bishop of Dover, a very important role in the Church of England.

The Church Organ

The first St Matthew's Church had a large musical instrument called a pipe organ. It was made by a company called Nicholson and Lord.