Church Of St Matthew

BRIGHOUSE CHURCH STREET, RASTRICK SE 12 SW (south side) 3/57 Church of St. Matthew 3.1.67 G. V. II*

Church c.1796. Ashlar, rusticated to sill band and slate roof. Auditorium and west tower. Nave facade of 5 bays. Sill band to windows and again to clerestorey and modillion cornice all of which continue round tower. (The outer have doorways with architraves and cornice on consoles). Above each door is a blank tablet. The 3 central bays have windows with architraves set in blind arches the heads of which are occupied by clerestorey windows in the form of lunettes. The east end is of 3 bays, with semi-circular apse which has Venetian window with blind tablet over. South nave facade has similar arrangements of windows but with simpler treatment and is of hammer-dressed stone. Tower has arch headed staircase window in blind arch. A low pedimented stage above the cornice carries the clock and this is surmounted by a circular cupola with Doric columns, entablature, and dome. Over all is a decorative weathervane.

Interior: Plain rectangular flat ceiled with sanctuary in semi-circular apse. Modillioned cornice. Raking galleries on 3 sides, spported by wooden Tuscan columns. East window is Venetian with freestanding columns with acanthus capitals. Most windows have Victorian-stained glass except those lighting gallery. Staircase in base of tower has wrought iron balustrading.

Furnishings: Victorian pews and choir stalls. High pulpit, probably Victorian in C18 style. The sanctuary is similarly panelled and has paintings of Christ, Prophets and Apostles. Octagonal Gothic Revival font. Galleries retain original box pews except at west end. Monuments at west end include John Armitage, Greek Revival tablet with figures, by Waudby and Sons of Hull and Huddersfield.

Listing NGR: SE1385421578