Diameter: 18" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by James Barwell 1889
Dove Bell ID: 60629 Tower ID: 23801 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Stocksbridge: St Matthias
Overview
Grid reference: SK 273 984
Built 1890 in memory of Samuel Fox of Stocksbridge Steel Works. Architect recorded as J D Webster of Sheffield.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West bellcote. 5-bay nave with north aisle and north side clerestory and south porch. Chancel with north organ chamber and south vestry. Basement beneath north aisle.
Dimensions:
Nave – 82ft x 29ft, chancel 33ft x 29ft
Description of Archaeology and History
A Neolithic polished stone axe has been found to the south-east of the church. The former Stockbridge steelworks spreading out to the north/north-east includes various blocks and ranges, mostly C19th. There is a 1920s cinema to west.
There are no burials on the site and no highly significant archaeological implications locally.
This development of Stocksbridge and the history of the church are intertwined with Samuel Fox and the Stocksbridge Works which he established in an old water mill in 1852. Stocksbridge until then was a quiet wooded valley and in 1851 there were only 9 recorded houses. The company began with wire for crinoline dresses and became famous for its production of the Paragon umbrella frame. They later moved onto engineering steel for railways. Expansion led to expansion of the town. In 1918 it became part of United Steel Companies Ltd and was nationalised in 1967 on the creation of British Steel Corporation. Its ownership and output has changed since then and the firm is now owned by an Indian company and specialises in the aerospace market.
A church existed uphill to the south in Bolterstone, and in Deepcar (from 1878) but Samuel Fox wanted to provide his workers who largely made up the local population with a church here and to commemorate the Jubilee year. A vicarage was built first and completed in 1858 (?). He died in 1887. It was decided to continue the project in his memory, the stone having already been ordered. His son, William, donated £1000, a site was secured and public subscription raised to meet the £5,000 build cost. The foundation stone was laid in 1889. It became a parish in its own right in 1917.
Architect noted in parish history as local architect, John Dodsley Webster (1840-1913) of Sheffield d.1913, and the builder/mason as James Fidler.
Some changes to the building have occurred since its completion. For example the original light fittings were changed in 1912. A pine screen was inserted at the west end to form a choir vestry in 1940. Some pews were removed in 1961 and a set of fittings introduced c.1965. The 150th anniversary of the church in 1992 is recorded by a plaque. Work was carried out to two of the windows at this time. A kitchen area and disabled access has been inserted in the former choir vestry in the NW corner within the last 10 years.
Some trees to north and east boundaries. The site appears to be located within an area defined under G3 of the local plan where protection of trees is highlighted.
Exterior Description
Prominent church given its site next to the road. High walls and strong appearance with Perpendicular tracery in the windows. High pitched roof, with accent at the west end provided by a gabled bellcote. 3-stage angle buttresses with coped gables punctuate each bay around the building and are situated at the corner angles. A plinth continues around the base of the church, being much deeper and higher to the north side where the ground drops away, in comparison to the south side. A stone sill continues beneath the windows.
The west end has three light lancet windows with tracery heads. To the north, the lean-to north aisle has a three- light window with perpendicular tracery. A chimney rises in the north-west corner.
Within the deep blinth of the north side are two doors accessing the basement and former boiler room. Above, the windows of the north aisle are of three-lights with trefoil heads within a square-headed surround. A clerestory level above has three-light pointed windows with hoodmoulds Towards the east end the gabled organ chamber projects to the north. It has a single light with hoodmould.
At the east end the two-bay chancel has a five-light perpendicular east window. A stone cross finial marks the apex of the gable. The chancel roof is slightly lower than the nave, the end of which is marked by a raised coped gable, also with stone cross finial at the apex. An old external WC is located within the angle of the east wall of the north organ chamber and the north wall of the chancel. Two-bay chancel at east end (chimney rises from centre) with single storey vestry projecting to the south, with a shallow pyramidal roof hidden behind a parapet. The projection has two-light windows under square heads.
To the south side, each bay is divided by buttresses. A stone modillion cornice continues beneath the eaves. Two-light perpendicular windows sit under hoodmoulds. A porch projects southwards from the second bay from the west. It has a triangular pediment over the pointed arched doorway. A ramp rises to the door.
Building Fabric and Features
Bellcote
19th century west
Nave
19th century 5-bay
Aisle
19th century north
Clerestory
19th century
Porch
19th century south
Chancel
19th century
Organ (component)
19th century chamber
Vestry
19th century south
Basement
19th century
Building Materials
Sandstone
19th century coursed, local
Slate
19th century roof tiles
Wood
19th century boarded barrel vault
Painted Plaster
19th century internal walls
Interior
Interior Description
The interior of the church is a large, high space. Some of the pews have been removed from the west end to create an area with tables. It is raised by two steps and the font is positioned centrally at the west end, its cover suspended from brackets fixed to the west wall. There are ramps to overcome changes in level.
An arcaded north aisle with stone piers, shafts and capitals has clear glazed windows in the clerestory above. It has a lean-to boarded roof. At the west end of the north aisle, an area screened by wooden partitions contains a kitchen, accessible WC and storage. Inserted c.1930s as a choir vestry and inscribed in memory of John Garfield Roberts, priest 1923-39. There is an altar at the east end of the aisle, before the organ chamber.
The nave walls are plastered and painted, with stone arches and surrounds left exposed. Boarded pew platforms rise either side of a carpeted aisles and are seated with fixed pine pews with umbrella furniture at the ends. All the windows along the south elevation contain clear glazing in rectangular leaded panes. They are set high in the wall preventing views out, with a continuous sill beneath them. A wooden barrel vaulted roof ceils the space with principal trusses resting on stone corbels.
Additional light is provided by spotlights fixed to the walls in the spandrels of the arcade and between the south side windows.
The chancel is accessed beneath a pointed arch and is raised by four steps with rails to either side. The division is marked by a low stone wall. Choir stalls are fixed to the north and south sides and the organ is within a chamber to the north. A door to the vestry to the south descends by one step.
The sanctuary is raised by a further step, and the altar upon another step. The walls of the chancel are painted and the floor is paved in a decorative terrazzo finish, with carpet continuing up the central aisle to the altar. The east wall is panelled either side of the reredos.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century High altar - long limed-oak table, 1965. North chapel altar - limed-oak table with matching rails c 1960.
Pulpit
19th century Octagonal carved oak (on stone base) in south-east corner of nave.
Lectern
20th century Limed oak replaced original 1962.
Font (component)
19th century Octagonal stone font at west end with inscribed bowl,1890? Gift of architect J D Webster. Carved pyramidal oak cover suspended on two pulleys. Dated 1911 in memory of John William Fawcett d.1909, as inscribed around the bowl.
Reredos
20th century • Carved oak war memorial reredos across east wall. With vine carving, linen fold panelling and names of men from both wars inscribed into the panels. Wippell & Co, Exeter, c.1920. • Smaller carved oak reredos in north aisle. The original in the church carved by Gilbert Kennedy Cassels and locals – as recorded in a plaque. Dated 1900, limed in 1965.
Pew (component)
19th century Fixed pine pews in the nave.
Stall
19th century Fixed oak choir stalls in chancel by Messrs Hawley of Renistone.
Rail
20th century Sanctuary - modern, metal uprights with oak rail, c.1965 Inscribed in memory of Lucy Lodge. North aisle chapel – limed oak (1966)
Organ (component)
19th century 3 manual organ, tag records it as being by Peter Conacher & Co, Huddersfield 1897.
Plaque (component)
19th / 20th century Various plaques. • One engraved plaque records a service of thanksgiving 1992, celebrating 150th Anniversary of the founding of Stocksbridge Works, 1842. • Plaque at west end commemorating erection of the church in memory of Samuel Fox, founder of Stocksbridge works.
Inscribed Object
20th century WWII - Inscribed memorial stone placed to commemorate 50th anniversary of VE and VJ day, south chancel wall.
Stained Glass
19th / 20th century • East window – Christ in Glory, ascending, by notable C20th artist Francis Spear (1902-79), not finished to original design (1961-3). Incorporate images of steel workers beneath, symbols of organisations e.g. British Legion, Scouts, St John’s Ambulance and inscriptions. Blue glazing in lancets either side completed for 150th anniversary of church in 1992, paid for by Samuel Fox works. (They also funded the window 3rd from left in north aisle). Depicts ‘Power of science and technology’, completed in memory of Oliver Inman, chief engineer of Stocksbridge Works d.1956. Cost met by public subscription - £1363. North aisle windows: • 1st from west – The Nativity, by Francis Spear, 1959, with bronze plaque – given by Ladies Sewing Party as marked in plaque. • 2nd from west, depicts figures of St Matthew and St Paul. By Horatio Walter Lonsdale (1844-1919), 1881. Previously in St James, Croydon (demolished) reordered and installed by Meg Lawrence, Lawrence and Co, 1992. • 3rd from west – Arts and Crafts in character, though modern. Text across bottom. Logo (woodcut of Kelmscott Press) in bottom right the signature of Meg Lawrence. Given anonymously and installed 1993. • Far right - St Francis of Assisi and birds in memory of Madge Hey d.1947, dated 1950. Signed with cartwheel logo and ‘S’ standing for Harry J Stammers (1902-1969) South chancel windows: • L – Jesus and Mary in the garden by Jones and Willis, 1931 in memory of Marsh Swallow d.1933. • R – In the carpenters’ workshop, signed by Jones and Willis, London – erected 1931 in memory of Mr Spurley Hey.
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers date from 1871, stored at Sheffield Archives Department.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SK 273 984
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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