Church Heritage Record 609383

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Stockport: St Matthew

Name:

This is the church’s legal name as given by the Church Commissioners.

Stockport: St Matthew
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

Church
Church code:

This is a unique identification number supplied to each church building by the Church Commissioners.

609383
Diocese:

Name of diocese in which the church building is located at the time of entry.

Chester
Archdeaconry:

Name of archdeaconry in which the church building is located at the time of entry

Macclesfield
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

Edgeley and Cheadle Heath

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

The decision to put a church building on the National Heritage List for England and assign it a listing grade is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is normally based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on the historic environment.

This is a Grade II Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?

The decision to schedule a feature (building, monument, archaeological remains, etc.) located within the church building’s precinct or churchyard is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on cultural heritage.

There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

National Parks are areas of countryside that include villages and towns, which are protected because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. In England, National Parks are designated by Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment.

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of such areas. Conservation Areas are designated by the Local Council.

The church is not in a Conservation Area

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Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?

The Heritage at Risk programme is run and managed by Historic England, the government’s advisor on cultural heritage. It aims to protect and manage the historic environment, so that the number of ‘at risk’ historic places and sites across England are reduced.

This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

Selecting a single date for the construction of a church building can sometimes be very difficult as most CoE buildings have seen many phases of development over time. The CHR allows you to record a time period rather than a specific date.

The CHR records the time period for the building’s predominant fabric as opposed to the date of the earliest fabric or the church’s foundation date.

Victorian/Pre-WWI

Exterior Image

Exterior image of Stockport St Matthew
Caption:

603242 

Exterior image of Stockport St Matthew
Description:

It seems to be the wrong photograph. Provided coordinates come up with another church on geograph.org.uk

Photograph of the outside of the church as seen from the north-east across St Matthew's Road.
Year / Date:

2011, April 06

September 2011
Copyright:

Keltek Trust

Archbishops' Council
Originator:

Keltek Trust

Catherine Townsend

Summary Description

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
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

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church is open for worship.
Work in progress - can you help?
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

http://www.edgeleyandcheadleheath.org.uk

Sources and Further Information

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Catherine Townsend (September 2011) Exterior image of Stockport St Matthew [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of Stockport St Matthew
Catherine Townsend (September 2011) Interior image of 609383 Stockport St Matthew [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior image of 609383 Stockport St Matthew
Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/19774/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~96670~114880 [Archive/Graphic material]

Ground plan

ICBS File Number - 04715

Coverage - 1853-1858

Created by ?CHRISTIAN, Ewan: b. 1814 - d. 1895 of London;CROWTHER, Joseph Stretch: b. 1832 - d. 1893 of Manchester

Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 9 Bells [Archive/Index]
9 Bells

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: SJ 888 895

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Administrative Area

Metropolitan District:

The administrative area within which the church is located.

Stockport District (B)

Location and Setting

This field describes the setting of the church building, i.e. the surroundings in which the church building is experienced, and whether or not it makes a positive or negative contribution to the significance of the building.

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. The site lies between Alexandra Park and Hollywood Park. Views of the spire dominate the area and these are recognised as a feature within the Alexandra Park conservation area character appraisal.

The blackened stone church is located in an open square which is laid to grass and contains no burials or grave markers. Stone walls form the boundaries to 3 sides of the churchyard, the 4th (north) is a brick wall beyond which is the former vicarage (north-west) and modern vicarage (north) which are accessed from Chatham Street to the north. The remainder of the site is bounded by St Matthew’s Road to the east, Old Chapel Street (pedestrian only) to the south and Grenville Street to the west. Surrounding buildings consist of well maintained 2-storey, red brick Victorian terraces.

Pedestrian access to the churchyard is via a gate to the north-east corner of the site (gates locked at time of visit). A strip of concrete paving leads from gates off Grenville Street to the west leading to the west door and a limited number of cars can park on an area of paving to the north-west corner of the church. The north door is used to access the church.

Church Plan

Work in progress - can you help?

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

Provide as written description of the ground plan of the church building and well as its dimensions.

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

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Nave 16m (52ft) x 5m (16ft), aisles 3m wide, chancel 9m (30ft) long.

Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

634 m2

Description of Archaeology and History

This field aims to record the archaeological potential of the wider area around the building and churchyard, as well as the history of site.

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

This field aims to record a written description of the exterior of the church building and the churchyard.

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.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Who:
Graham Holland Associates
Role:
Architect / Surveyor ICM55
From:
To:
Contribution:

Building Fabric and Features

This field is an index of the building and its major components

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Collapse Building Fabric and FeaturesBuilding Fabric and Features
ABACUS (1869)
BAPTISTERY (19th century)
CHANCEL (19th century)
LADY CHAPEL (20th century)
NAVE (19th century)
ORGAN (COMPONENT) (19th century)
PORCH (19th century)
SPIRE (19th century)
STAINED GLASS
STAINED GLASS (1869)
STAINED GLASS (1949)
STAINED GLASS (1964)
STAINED GLASS (1896)
STAINED GLASS (1950s-1960s)
TOWER (COMPONENT) (19th century)
VESTRY (19th century)

Building Materials

This field is an index of the building’s material composition

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Collapse Building MaterialsBuilding Materials
SLATE (20th century)
STONE (19th century)
TIMBER (19th century)

Interior Image

Interior image of 609383 Stockport St Matthew
Caption:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Interior image of 609383 Stockport St Matthew
Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Photograph of the inside of the church, looking east.
Year / Date:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
September 2011
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Archbishops' Council
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Catherine Townsend

Interior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the interior of the church building.

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.

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

This field is an index of the building’s internal, architectural components. This includes its internal spaces and those areas’ fixtures and fittings (building components which are securely fixed to the church or cathedral).

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Collapse Internal Fixtures and FittingsInternal Fixtures and Fittings
ALTAR (20th century)
BELL (1 of 8)
BELL (2 of 8)
BELL (3 of 8)
BELL (4 of 8)
BELL (5 of 8)
BELL (6 of 8)
BELL (7 of 8)
BELL (8 of 8)
BELL (1 of 1)
FONT (COMPONENT) (19th century)
LECTERN (19th century)
PLAQUE (COMPONENT) (19th century)
PULPIT (19th century)
RAIL (19th century)
REREDOS (19th century)

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

This field is an index of the building’s movable, non-fixed furnishings and artworks.

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Collapse Portable Furnishings and ArtworksPortable Furnishings and Artworks
BOOK (19th century +)

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: SJ 888 895

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Ecology

This field aims to record a description of the ecology of the churchyard and surrounding setting.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecological Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

This field aims to record any evidence of the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

The church has no evidence of bats

Burial and War Grave Information

This field records basic information about the presence of a churchyard and its use as a burial ground.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard is closed for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard does not have war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this Church.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Church.

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Church

Churchyard Structures

This field is an index of the churchyard’s components.

Work in progress - can you help?

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Significance is the whole set of reasons why people value a church, whether as a place for worship and mission, as an historic building that is part of the national heritage, as a focus for the local community, as a familiar landmark or for any other reasons.

High
Setting Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Of considerable architectural significance and high townscape value.
Fabric Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Moderate
Fabric Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
A good Victorian design with tall tower and spire.
Interior Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Moderate
Interior Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The furnishings and fittings are of local significance as an ensemble, the reredos of greater interest.
Community Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?

Church Renewables

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Open the map of church renewable installations
Solar PV Panels:

This information forms part of the Shrinking the Footprint project.

No
Solar Thermal Panels:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Bio Mass:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Air Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Ground Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Wind Turbine:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
EV Car Charging:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown

Species Summary

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

CategoryTotal species recorded to date
TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES RECORDED 1
Total number of animal species 1
Total number of plant species 0
Total number of mammal species 0
Total number of birds 0
Total number of amphibian and reptile species 0
Total number of invertebrate species 2
Total number of fungi species 0
Total number of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes) 0
Total number of ferns 0
Total number of flowering plants 0
Total number of Gymnosperm and Ginkgo 0

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 of 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

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

The church was the centre of many people’s lives and remains a guide to their cares and concerns. Glimpses into those lives have often come down to us in the stories we heard as children or old photographs discovered in tattered shoe boxes. Perhaps your ancestors even made it into local legend following some fantastic event? You can choose to share those memories with others and record them for future generations on this Forum.

Tell us the story of this building through the lives of those who experienced it. Tell us why this church is important to you and your community.

Upload your photographs, share your videos, or compose your story below using a Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus account.

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WhoActionWhen
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionMon 05 Sep 2022 11:21:29
Oliver LackAdded fabric typeMon 05 Sep 2022 11:16:19
Oliver LackAdded fabric typeMon 05 Sep 2022 11:15:57
Oliver LackAdded fabric typeMon 05 Sep 2022 11:15:31
Oliver LackAdded fabric typeMon 05 Sep 2022 11:15:01
Oliver LackAdded fabric typeMon 05 Sep 2022 11:14:47
Oliver LackAdded fabric typeMon 05 Sep 2022 11:14:27
Oliver LackAdded fabric typeMon 05 Sep 2022 11:13:40
Oliver LackDeleted interior feature typeMon 05 Sep 2022 11:13:11
Anna CampenModified asset data - Modified the Significance descriptionTue 23 May 2017 14:35:25
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