Islington: St Matthias
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 305 846
The only part of the church visible is the west front; this, with its twin porches, suggests the non-conformist origins of the building. It is in a thin lancet style with blind traceried panels in the tympana of the two doorways and a three-light window above. Over this is a circular light, and the flanking projections follow suit with single lancets in the lower part and then paired lancets surmounted by vesicas.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Seven-bay rectangular nave without aisles; short chancel with north and south chambers, presumably for the organ and vestries; south chapel.
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was built in c.1853 to designs by John Barnett and Birch; it was originally intended as a Presbyterian Chapel, but did not prove successful and after ten years became Anglican. The chancel and south chapel (formerly a hall) were added in 1883 by William Smith of Basinghall Street, and the church was consecrated on 14th January 1886. Two years later it was given a parish, but for many years now it has been a chapel of ease to St. Andrew, Thornhill Square.
Exterior Description
The only part of the church visible is the west front; this, with its twin porches, suggests the non-conformist origins of the building. It is in a thin lancet style with blind traceried panels in the tympana of the two doorways and a three-light window above. Over this is a circular light, and the flanking projections follow suit with single lancets in the lower part and then paired lancets surmounted by vesicas. These projections (which presumably once held staircases to a west gallery) and the nave wall are all surmounted by charply pointed gables. The angles of the staircase gables were formerly teruinated by pinnacles. The east end of the church is of no architectural interest, and was evidently not intended to be seen.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior of the building is one large room, seven bays long and with a single lancet window to each bay. The first three bays from the west but against houses, and the lancets here are simply blind recesses. The last two on the north side are also blind. The walls are plastered and have been painted various colours which accentuates the chanfered recesses round the windows. The roof structure has principal rafters between each bay, carried on moulded stone corbels, with arch braces under tie-beams get rather high.
The chancel arch is of 1883, and forms the central feature of a triplet of arches, all of which are moulded. The chancel arch therefore is supported on octagonal piers rather than responds, an unusual feature. These have foliated capitals and are evidently of the same date as the pair of arches opening into the south chapel.
The intermediate support here is in the form of a pair of highly polished Peterhead granite shafts. The east window of the chancel is tri-partite, each division containing a pair of slender lancets and a roundel. The triple sedilia still survive on the south side of the former sanctuary, as does the low screen below the chancel arch.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 305 846
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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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
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