Redhill: St Matthew
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 277 506
The main part of the building is of Reigate stone, which has weathered to a creamy-yellow colour. The dressings are of a harder limestone, and the tower and spire are of Bargate stone, which is darker and pinker than the rest of the church. The tower is of three stages with angle buttresses and a section of battering at the junction of the stages.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
With aisles, transepts, chancel, south-east chapel, north-east organ chamber and a tower and spire at the south-west corner.
Description of Archaeology and History
Built in 1866 by J.M.R. Hahn; the tower and spire were extensively re-constructed at the end of the 19th century.
Exterior Description
The main part of the building is of Reigate stone, which has weathered to a creamy-yellow colour. The dressings are of a harder limestone, and the tower and spire are of Bargate stone, which is darker and pinker than the rest of the church. The tower is of three stages with angle buttresses and a section of battering at the junction of the stages. The upper section of battering is carried round the outside of the buttresses, the lower section is not. The base of the tower serves as the porch; the moulded doorway has a single attached shaft, and a drip mouldingwith head stops. On the other two exposed sides of the tower the lowest stage has two-light windows with quatrefoils in the head. The central stage is pierced by two thin-slit-windows on each face, and the bell-chamber has two-light Decorated windows. There is no parapet and the gables above the windows of the bell-chamber are carried up against the lowest part of the octagonal spire. The spire itself is encircled by a band of incised quatrefoils, and pierced higher up by four small lucarnes.
The exterior of the church itself is somewhat less elaborate than the tower. The aisles have cusped two-light windows with quatrefoils in their heads, and between each window is a plain buttress. The clerestory walls are extremely shallow and this necessitated the use of dormer windows. These are each of two— lights with a quatrefoil in plate tracery. The transepts are slightly lower than the nave, and do not project beyond the aisles. The external corners have large angle buttresses. In the centre of the south wall of the south transept is a large moulded entrance door, whose gabled porch obtrudes into the four-light Geometrical window above. There is a similar four-light window in the north transept. The chancel is relatively shallow, with a tall five—light window in the east wall with elaborate but coarse Geometrical tracery. To the south of the chancel is a two-bay chapel with a three-light east window and two side windows of two—lights each.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
Almost all the windows in the church are filled with 19th century stained glass of varying quality. Perhaps the best is that in the north transept window which is by Clayton & Bell.
Interior
Interior Description
All the interior walls of the church have been whitened. The five bay nave arcades are composed of pointed double-chamfered arches on octagonal piers with elaborate foliage capitals. There are five clerestory windows on each side, immediately above the nave arches. The nave roof is of scissor—beam construction with collars and curved braces, which spring from wall—posts resting on moulded corbels. The aisles have lean—to roofs which are cross—braced from the sprandels of the nave arcade. The transept—arches are slightly larger than the arches of the nave arcades, but have the same profile. Part of the north transept has been partitioned off to serve as a vestry.
The equilateral chancel arch rests on demi-octagonal responds with capitals which consist of a double row of foliage carving. On the south side of the chancel two pointed arches communicate with the side chapel. Under the east window and built into the wall is a reredos consisting of a high-relief carving of the Last Supper, with three small cusped arches on either side.
Fixtures and fittings
Font (object)
An octagonal stone font with incised decorative panels on each face.
Pulpit
An octagonal stone pulpit with ringed marble shafts at each angle, and a floriated cornice. The bookrest is in the form of an angel.
Lectern
A fine double-sided wooden lectern with a many-gabled base. The lectern is ornamented with fretwork.
Organ (object)
A three manual organ by Hunter of Clapham
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 277 506
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
Quinquennial Inspections
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