St Matthew's Church, Chapel Allerton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Matthew's Church, Chapel Allerton |
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![]() St Matthew's Church
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53°49′54″N 1°32′28″W / 53.831764°N 1.541022°W | |
Denomination | Church of England |
Churchmanship | Broad Church |
History | |
Dedication | St Matthew |
Administration | |
Parish | Chapel Allerton, Leeds |
Diocese | Leeds |
Province | York |
St Matthew's Church is a beautiful Church of England church located in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, England. A famous expert once called it a "noble and spacious building" with a "bold, sturdy tower." This means it's a grand and roomy church with a strong, impressive tower. Since 1963, the church has been a Grade II* listed building. This special listing means it's a very important historical building that needs to be protected.
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Where is St Matthew's Church?
The church is easy to find on Wood Lane in Chapel Allerton. Chapel Allerton is a lively area in the city of Leeds.
The History of the Church
The current St Matthew's Church was built a long time ago, between 1897 and 1898. It was designed by a well-known architect named George Frederick Bodley. This new church replaced an older, smaller church that used to stand in its place. The building work was done by Stephens and Baslow from Bristol. The beautiful stained-glass windows were made by Burlison and Grylls. The older church eventually became very old and worn out. It was taken down in 1935.
What the Church Looks Like
St Matthew's Church has a special look, both inside and out.
Outside the Church
The church is built from two types of stone: Bath stone and Ancaster stone. These are both strong, light-colored stones. The church has narrow supports called buttresses. These help to hold up the walls. It also has a tower with a clock and a top edge that looks like castle walls, called crenellated.
Inside the Church
Inside, the church has windows with three sections. These windows are set into deep spaces with decorative shapes called quatrefoils. The floor is made of stone slabs. The main part of the church, called the nave, has a wooden ceiling that looks like the inside of a tunnel. There is also an organ, which is a large musical instrument, located on a raised level at the front of the north side of the church. The reredos, which is a decorated screen behind the altar, is made of carved and gilded wood. This means it's made of wood that has been shaped and covered in a thin layer of gold.