Diameter: 31" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by George Chandler 1682
Dove Bell ID: 61438 Tower ID: 24310 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
St Matthew Upper Clapton
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 346 867
A large Gothic building, set on a plinth and faced with Kentish rag, this church is closely hemmed in by boundary walls and post-war flats.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Aisled nave; chancel with apsidal sanctuary; Lady Chapel .to the north of the chancel, and a vestry and tower to the south. The tower had a spire, but it was taken down in 1962.
Description of Archaeology and History
Begun in 1867 .and consecrated in 1869. Designed by F.T. Dollman. The church was damaged by bombing and restored in 1953.
Exterior Description
A large Gothic building, set on a plinth and faced with Kentish rag, this church is closely hemmed in by boundary walls and post-war flats. Yet its height and many gables look impressive from Mount Pleasant Lane. The east apsidal end is a curious structure: each of the five sides of the apse has a small, gabled roof. A single gabled pilaster strip, rising from a string course, at each corner creates a chamfered effect. Each window contains two lights divided by a columnar mullion. The tracery in the head of the windows is based on circles, some cusped; and some filled with smaller circles.
The three-stage tower rises grandly from the east end of the south aisle. Supporting angle buttresses with gables extend up to belfry level, where they end in gabled niches containing figures of saints. At the south-east corner is a stair turret which terminates in a clasping pinnacle construction instead of a niche. The lowest stage contains a small pair of lancet windows in two sides; while the middle stage has a number of slit openings. At the third stage, the design is quite complex. Each face has three lancet openings, and each lancet is within a shafted arch. The dividing mullions consist of a cluster of three shafts, set on a plinth, turned, and with carved capitals. Between the shafts there is carved ornamentation. Within the openings themselves there is intricate metal grillework. The decoration of this stage is completed by a row of ornamental 'V' shapes carved below the top string course that divides the belfry from the plain parapet.
The west end is rather different in design - much plainer and far less ambitious than the east end. Each aisle has a two-light window with a trefoil in the head. The nave has a pair of windows, each having two lights and a cusped quatrefoil in the head. Above them is a sexfoil and the whole arrangement is contained within a pointed arched hood moulding. Three pilaster strip buttresses articulate this nave end.
The aisles have separate gabled roofs. Each side has an identical porch towards the west end of the church. These porches have gabled roofs with gable crosses. The bright red doors are contained within pointed arches and there is a trefoil opening beneath each gable. Squat angle buttresses are set at the corners. The windows of the aisles are varied. Some have two lights, and others three. Some have ornate cusped tracery in the head; others have a simpler rose and circle design. Each aisle has gabled buttresses. Above the gables of the aisles can be seen the clerestory which has five pairs of windows each side, separated by buttress structures.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
In the apse, all five pairs of windows contain stained glass by Erridge. The subjects are, from north to south: 1) The Nativity (see the design in the library at CPW) with the Carpenter's shop below. (2) Christ calling Matthew to be a disciple, and below an angel with the book open at St. Matthew's gospel. 3) The Transfiguratiori: Moses and Elijah appearing in clouds in the left hand light, while Christ stands in the other above three disciples. Below is Christ washing the feet of Peter. 4) The risen Christ and Mary Magdalen in the garden. Below is a winged heart and a phoenix. 5) The Supper. at Emmaus; and below, the Celebration of the Eucharist.
Stained Glass
In the south aisle are two windows of modern glass. The one at the east end has three lights containing: (i) St. Martin dividing his cloak (ii) a beggar, who is kneeling in the centre - light in front of a church, and (iii) St. George and the Dragon. While the subjects seem unrelated, the composition is so designed as to make,an harmonious whole.
Stained Glass
In the head of the window in the Lady Chapel are some fragments of Victorian glass - these fragments and others in the heads of the aisle windows are all that remains of the original Victorian glass. Below the fragments of the east window in the Lady Chapel, in two lancets, is the Annunciation: Gabriel with a lily in one light and a rather half-caste looking Mary in the other. The glass is probably by Erridge again.
Stained Glass
At the east end of the north aisle is a modern stained glass window of the same style as the two in the south aisle. Beautiful bright colours are given to the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, their figures being set on a brilliant mandorla.
Interior
Interior Description
The many windows admit a strong, bright light to the church. The white painted wails and columns contribute to the general impression of brightness. The nave has five bays, its arches resting on shafted columns of Mansfield stone with stiff leaf capitals. The lofty arch-braced, king-post trussed roof soars high above the nave. Its wall-posts rest on thin columns rising from corbels at the springing of the arches to clerestory level. The columns terminate at the lower end in carved corbels of curling foliage, with either a face or a creature, beautifully sculpted among the leaves. The four symbols of the Evangelists appear on four of these corbels. The east end is colourful and ornate. Beneath the tall stained glass windows is a grand gabled Gothic reredos, containing a relief of the Last Supper. From it extends arcading round the sanctuary, filled with mosaics against light gold backgrounds. The walls of the aisles too are colourful with mosaics and tile paintings.
Fixtures and fittings
Reredos
The reredos behind the altar has three arches contained beneath a grand, gabled canopy with much crocketting. Angels are carved in front of the spandrels between the arches. Within the arches is a painted relief of the Last Supper.
Lectern
Late 19th Century
The lectern is a heavy solid brass eagle, typical of the late 19th century.
Screen
The low screen and gates are metal-work by Skidmore.
Pulpit
The pulpit and font are both constructedto similar designs - heavy and solid looking; white stone with pink marble colonettes.
Font (object)
The pulpit and font are both constructedto similar designs - heavy and solid looking; white stone with pink marble colonettes. The font is richly carved.
Pew (object)
Stall
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 346 867
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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