Weight: 112 lbs Bell 1 of 9
Founded by Hulse of Manchester
Dove Bell ID: 60618 Tower ID: 23798 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Stockport: St Matthew
Diocese of Chester
Church, 609383
http://www.edgeleyandcheadleheath.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: SJ 888 895
St Matthew’s is located in Edgeley Heath, a residential area characterised by its rows of red brick Victorian terrace housing, south-west of Stockport town centre and west of the A6. It was built 1853-8 to designs of Joseph Stretch Crowther, except the large tower and spire, which were added in 1866. The church is a large stone building featuring pointed windows under hood-moulds in the aisles with quatrefoils above at clerestorey level. 2-light south aisle windows with buttresses separate each bay. A varied roofline marks the distinction between aisles, nave and chancel.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
4-bay clerestoried nave with aisles. 3-bay chancel with north organ chamber and vestry attached to north-east corner (former boiler chamber beneath). West tower containing internal glazed west porch and baptistery at ground level. South porch [now contains WCs and boiler]. Lady Chapel at east end of south aisle.
Dimensions:
Nave 16m (52ft) x 5m (16ft), aisles 3m wide, chancel 9m (30ft) long.
Footprint of Church buildings: 634 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Stockport is a medieval town based on high ground on the banks of the River Mersey, and is best known for its cotton industry. The town grew quickly during the 19th and 20th centuries, with the Stockport Infirmary built 1832-4, Stockport Edgeley Station to the east opened in 1840 and Stockport Union Workhouse was built 1841-2. Edgeley Park football ground was established south of the church in 1902. No archaeological remains are expected on this site, which is redeveloped marsh land.
St Matthew’s was built 1853-8 to the designs of Jospeh Stretch Crowther [1832-1893], a highly regarded Mancunian architect (also designed Ardwick, St. Benedict [PM 1889] and worked on Manchester Cathedral). The consecration date, 20 May 1858, is recorded on a wooden plaque at the west end of the nave. The construction was carried out by Heywood Alderley and the timberwork and decoration was completed by J & J Longton of Stockport [list description]. An ICBS grant was awarded to help fund the work.
The tower and spire were added in 1866. Work was carried out by Mr Forrester of Stockport. The high altar was installed in 1920. The east end of the south aisle was converted to a Lady Chapel in 1933 and furnished by the St Matthew’s Lads Brigade. The church was re-roofed in 1949. In 1991 benches were removed from the west end (and aisles?) and the south porch was blocked to form a toilet. A kitchenette is situated within the south-west corner.
There are no designations relating to the ecology of this urban plot.
Exterior Description
A large stone church with soaring 4-stage west tower with broach spire over the west bay of the nave. Pointed windows under hood-moulds in the aisles with quatrefoils above at clerestorey level. 2-light south aisle windows with buttresses separating each bay. Blocked south porch. West door with decorative ironwork set within trefoil cusping. North aisle with lancets and irregularly places buttresses. A varied roof line marks the distinction between aisles, nave and chancel. Finials top gable ends.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1896
East window by Heaton, Butler and Bayne
Stained Glass
1950s-1960s
Chancel and various aisle windows by Abbott and Co of Lancaster
Abacus
1869
South-east aisle window - Suffer the children and Sermon on the Mount – 1869, artist unidentified.
Stained Glass
Central south aisle window, possibly Hardman & Co
Stained Glass
1869
West window of south aisle – the remains of a window by Hardman & Co Birmingham
Stained Glass
1949
West window with St Werburgha, St Matthew and Nativity, commemorates the first vicar
Stained Glass
1964
West window of north aisle
Nave
19th century 4-bay clerestoried nave with aisles
Chancel
19th century 3-bay chancel
Organ (component)
19th century north chamber
Vestry
19th century north east corner
Tower (component)
19th century west
Spire
19th century
Porch
19th century within tower
Baptistery
19th century
Lady Chapel
20th century east end of south aisle
Building Materials
Stone
19th century coursed grit-stone & stone ashlar details
Timber
19th century roof struts
Slate
20th century stone slate roof tiles
Interior
Interior Description
Interior walls painted white leaving stone arches and window surrounds exposed, the interior well lit by the large east and other windows and by appropriately subdued lighting. The space is impressive in scale and offers a large volume under a simple arch-braced-scissor truss roof, similar to the chancel. The aisles have lean-to roofs. Pointed stone arcades are carried by alternate octagonal and round columns with moulded capitals.
Level timber pew platforms in nave with stone paving in aisles and chancel supplemented by carpet in the chancel and at the west end. Tall pointed chancel arch. Organ set within an arch on the north side. A gilded and painted triptych sits beneath a 5-light east window by Heaton, Butler and Bayne, together they provide a strong east focus. The font sits at the west end and kitchen facilities are located within the south-west corner of the nave.
Plain benches with painted numbers in nave, these have been cleared from the west end and aisles and replaced with chairs. Early 20th century choir stalls with linen-fold panelling match panelling on east wall.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century oak with linen-fold detail c 1920
Reredos
19th century Gilded triptych with 6 painted figures (SSs Mark, Matthew, Werburgh(?), Chad, Luke and John). Mid-20th century. A fine piece of liturgical furniture.
Pulpit
19th century polygonal stone pulpit with nook shafts and foliated quatrefoils
Lectern
19th century brass eagle
Font (component)
19th century octagonal stone font on pedestal with nook shafts and oak cover
Plaque (component)
19th century various small brass plaques
Rail
19th century oak plain
Bells
Bell 2 of 9
Founded by Harrington, Latham & Co 1897
Dove Bell ID: 60619 Tower ID: 23798 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Bell 3 of 9
Founded by Harrington, Latham & Co 1897
Dove Bell ID: 60620 Tower ID: 23798 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Bell 4 of 9
Founded by Harrington, Latham & Co 1897
Dove Bell ID: 60621 Tower ID: 23798 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Bell 5 of 9
Founded by Harrington, Latham & Co 1897
Dove Bell ID: 60622 Tower ID: 23798 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Bell 6 of 9
Founded by Harrington, Latham & Co 1897
Dove Bell ID: 60623 Tower ID: 23798 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Bell 7 of 9
Founded by Harrington, Latham & Co 1897
Dove Bell ID: 60624 Tower ID: 23798 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Bell 8 of 9
Founded by Harrington, Latham & Co 1897
Dove Bell ID: 60625 Tower ID: 23798 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Bell 9 of 9
Founded by Harrington, Latham & Co 1897
Dove Bell ID: 60626 Tower ID: 23798 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers: Baptisms from 1858 and Marriages from 1858.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SJ 888 895
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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