PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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CHURCH OF SAINT MATTHEW
The Anglican Church of Saint Matthew was situated in Clarence Place, opposite the former Royal Naval Hospital at East Stonehouse, Plymouth. The Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, who donated the site, laid the foundation stone of Saint Matthew's on Tuesday October 14th 1873. It was the second of the many new buildings planned by the Three Towns' Church Extension Society. Mr H J Snell, of Courtenay Street, Plymouth, designed the Church in the Geometrical or Early Decorated style of architecture. It consists of a nave, north and south aisles, chancel, vestry, organ chamber, a north-west porch and a baptistery on the south-west side. It could accommodate about 730 worshippers. The building is of dark limestone, with dressings of Bath and Portland stone. The stained glass window at the eastern end is by Mr Fouracre, of Plymouth. The Portland stone font was made by Mr Harry Hems, of Exeter. Mr H B McMillan, of Plymouth, was the contractor, whose clerk of works was Mr John W Trevan, of Gibbon Street, Plymouth. The plastering was by Mr Antony Lethbridge, the painting and staining was done by Mr William Beer, and Mr Westlake did the gas fittings. All those were from Plymouth. The cost was stated variously to be £5,000 or £6,000. Saint Matthew's Church was consecrated by the Bishop of Exeter on Thursday December 16th 1875 and the ecclesiastical parish was formed on July 25th 1876. The first vicar was a Mr Walter A Prideaux. Sources:
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