Bestwood: St Matthew on the Hill
Overview
Grid reference: SK 557 447
Built to support the Bestwood Estate, designed by Broadhead and Royle and consecrated in 1959. In July 2009 there was a fire inside the church, and since then the congregation have been worshipping at their sister church St Philips Top Valley.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave and chancel in one with south porch linking to campanile at the west end and organ chamber north of chancel. A south chapel at the east end forms a link to the vicarage. An extension in the north-west corner contains kitchen and WC.
Dimensions:
[Approximate] Nave 27.5 m (90ft) long x 9m (30ft) high
Description of Archaeology and History
A new church for the Bestwood Estate was built in the 1950s, designed by architects Frank Arthur Broadhead (b. 1887) and Eric Vernon Royle (1948-1982). Its form echoes that of Sir Basil Spence’s 1950s churches in Coventry which were similar rectangular basilican-type churches with concrete portal frames and attached concrete towers. St Matthew’s on the Hill, as it was known, was consecrated in 1959 and its tower was completed a few years later. The original roof was copper.
A mission church had been built on the site, to the west of the new building, in 1939 and was known as St Francis. It remained as the church hall following the completion of the new church, but was demolished c.1996. An extension was built projecting north from the north-west corner of St Matthew’s incorporating facilities instead.
The new church of St Matthew replaced a church on Talbot Street which closed in 1952 and was demolished in 1956. Items were relocated from the old church including a bell, pews, altar table, lectern, font, choir stalls, litany desk and font, but some of these items had been replaced by the time that a fire damaged the building in 2009. St Matthew’s has since been left empty and is infested by pigeons.
The archaeological potential of the site is low. Heritage records note the location of a WWII heavy anti aircraft battery east of the site, a late 19th century hospital to the south-west and railways which opened in 1882 to the south and north-west. The station to the north-west closed in 1958.
The site contains many mature trees and includes one Tree Preservation Order.
Exterior Description
The church appears derelict though fairly sound from the exterior. It is designed in a manner resembling some of Sir Basil Spence's plans and has a tall south-west campanile that it virtually free-standing. The main building has a single long shallow-pitched roof which forms gabled east and west ends, and has overhanging eaves with timber bargeboards. There are some lower extensions around the periphery.
Long rectangular windows mark the north and south elevations, with the lower parts filled with concrete panels, and most glazed sections now boarded or broken. Long panels of glass bricks at the eastern most end of the north and south elevations diffuse light into the east end of the interior space. Concrete window frames stand proud of the brick elevations. The west elevation is formed of pre-cast concrete panels with insulated glass blocks arranged in the centre forming a concrete cross between them. The east elevation is of plain brick with a crucifix.
The tower is attached to the south-west corner by a single storey lobby. The tower has cast concrete louvres at the uppermost stages which incorporate a cross and is recessed back from the lower stages. Window openings are in the north and south elevations. A single storey block contains the chapel and vestry, and links the vicarage with the church at the east end.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
20th century
Chancel
20th century
Porch
20th century south linking to campanile
Bell Tower (component)
20th century linked to main church via the south porch
Organ (component)
20th century chamber north of chancel
Chapel (component)
20th century links to the vicarage
Kitchen
20th century north-west corner extension
Building Materials
Brick
20th century
Panel Board
20th century precast
Asphalt
20th century roof
Interior
Interior Description
The interior would have been regularly accessed from the lobby in the south-west corner, but access is now through the chapel which has a dorr in its west elevation. The interior remains as it was following the fire. The fire damage is obscured by the desecration of the interior by pigeon infestation. Furniture remains inside in disordered fashion and fittings such as a canopy over the altar table, a crucifix suspended over the chancel, the organ north of the chancel and original light - fittings all remain.
The chancel is raised by two steps at the east end, whilst a ribbed timber ceiling passes over head. Steel buttresses mark the bays. A glazed timber screen separates the south chapel and chancel. The chapel is lit by a roof light over the altar. A door in the south wall leads to the vestry.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century contemporary wood table
Pulpit
20th century built-in brick
Lectern
20th century carved wood eagle
Font (component)
20th century octagonal stone
Rail
20th century plain contemporary wood design
Stained Glass (window)
19th century single panel of St Michael slaying the Dragon, by Kempe
Plaque (component)
19th century brass plaque to George Waterall and his wife Anne, 1893
Organ (component)
20th century Reconditioned single manual instrument by Henry Willis and Sons 1959
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers dating from 1940, not kept at the church
Churchyard
Grid reference: SK 557 447
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
Quinquennial Inspections
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