St Matthew Yiewsley
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 60 804
This compact and attractive church is located on the busy High Street of the outer London suburb of Yiewsley, which is lined by shops and businesses. The building is comprised of two parts, the “old church” built in 1858-9 and the new church built on to it in 1898 as the congregation expanded, by Nicholson and Corlette. Externally the church has several striking architetural features including the cross gables in the north wall, with two-light plate tracery windows in the gables, and diaper brickwork.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
4-bay nave, now divided into church hall and split level offices at the west end, and chancel with shallow north transept. North porch with toilet facilities where the vestry used to be before the 1994 conversion, opening off the chancel transept.
Dimensions:
Nave 20m (63 feet) x 3.50m (11 feet), chancel 6.70m (21 feet) east-west.
Description of Archaeology and History
The building is comprised of two parts, the “old church” built in 1858-9 (Sir Gilbert Scott) and the new church built on to it in 1898 as the congregation expanded, by Nicholson and Corlette.
A late 19th century plan shows the original church with aisleless nave and apsidal chancel, south porch and north vestry off the chancel. The porch and south wall were removed when the “new” church was added onto the south side, effectively turning the old nave into the north aisle of the enlarged church, and the chancel into a Lady chapel.
The remaining part of the old church was converted in 1994 under faculty to provide a community hall, with office space in a split level development connected by a spiral staircase at the west end of the church. The conversion is considered as a model project. The chancel is still used as a Lady chapel, but was separated from the nave, which now functions as a parish hall, by the filling in of the chancel arch. Similarly the arcade between the two churches have been filled, with two doors provided to allow access.
Exterior Description
Externally the church has several striking architetural features including the cross gables in the north wall, with two-light plate tracery windows in the gables, and diaper brickwork. The latter tends to accentuate the asymetry of the west end since the addition of the new church, as the diagonal patterns are interrupted at the joins. Thus the large west window is almost impinged upon by the eaves of the roof of the new church. The window is inset within a tall pointed arch with plate tracery again, a triple-lancet with quatrefoils above. There are stumpy buttresses to each bay with one steep weathering. There is a small brick bellcote above the chancel arch. The chancel apse has lancets in groups of three between strip pilasters, the outer pair of each are blind.
The new church of Nicolette and Scott consists of nave and chancel with south porch and organ chamber. There are arcades of piers without capitals on both sides supporting chamfered pointed arches, indicating that the original intention was to add a south aisle, which was never realised. It is late Perpendicular/Tudor in style, with more muted external diaper work in deference to the old church.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
Unknown
Artificially lit window relocated on the blind chancel arch partition wall has Christ in Glory. In the style of Kempe to some extent, though it is unsigned.
Building Materials
Brick
Unknown
Yellow, red used for decoration
Slate
Unknown
Roof
Interior
Interior Description
Inside, the chancel of the old church is dominated by an ornately carved triptych serving as a reredos. There is also an aumbry and a credence shelf in the north wall within the apse, and a niche in the south wall containing a Madonna and Child. The sanctuary has stone flags with an inset cross design, with two steps up. The rest of the chancel has a deep blue carpet, with one further step down to the seated area, with modern light wood chairs with matching blue upholstery. The scissor-beam roof (one of several features reminiscent of Butterfield) also has a blue plaster ceiling, with stars and fleur-de-lys in gold. The original chancel arch can be seen from this side, springing from painted and gilded columns with Romanesque capitals. This colourful and ornate interior has a strong High Church feel.
The eastern part of the nave is now provided with a sink area recessed below the eastern window of the north wall, and cupboards along the south wall. It is otherwise an open space. The partly glazed spiral stairwell giving access between the rooms of the split level conversion at the west end protrudes into the hall.
The 'new' section features a barrel-vaulted roof with floral decoration, and is bright and airy.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
Unknown
Plain oak table with chamfered legs.
Reredos
Unknown
Ornately carved tall Gothic triptych, with inset paired panels flanking a central open panel through which the east window can be seen, with angels hailing the Virgin Mary. The Annunciation is shown in the central panel below, flanked by Alpha and Omega.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 60 804
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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