History

The Grade II listed church was built in 1855 to serve the newly established parish that was made from the communities of the inner city of Sheffield. The Parish of St Matthew’s was founded in 1848 when the original Sheffield parish (now the Anglican Cathedral) was subdivided into smaller parts. The first Vicar, J. F. Witty, conducted the early services in a school on Carver Street. Within a few years, sufficient funds were raised to build a permanent place of worship. Land was purchased on Carver Street for £600 and the foundation stone for the church was laid on 1 June 1854 with the construction being carried out by Flockton & Son. The building was consecrated on 6 June 1855 by the Archbishop of York, Thomas Musgrave.

Rev J. F. Witty

The church, described as “a neat building with a graceful spire,” cost £3,297 to build. The main benefactor was the snuff-maker Mr. Henry Wilson of Westbrook Mill who contributed £1,020. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners granted £200 and the Incorporated Church Building Society gave £250. The rest of the money was raised by Witty, who was still asking for subscriptions for the last £200 in November 1856. In its early years, the church had seating for 731, as the building was situated in a highly populated district of slum housing.

In 1882, Father George Campbell Ommaney became the vicar of St Matthew’s, remaining at the church for 54 years until his death in 1936. He was a leading light of the Anglo-Catholic movement, and converted St Matthew’s into a focal point for teaching and practice of the Catholic Revival in the Church of England. Known as the ‘People’s Priest’ during his time at St Matthew’s, he chose to live in the back-to-back housing nearby, and believed that people deserved beautiful churches to worship God. Fr Ommaney is recorded in many national publications and has been written about locally as a renowned local character for his tireless efforts to serve the people. The memoirs of Fr Ommaney were compiled and edited by F. G. Belton and are published in the book Ommanney of Sheffield. The Hanging Rood in the St Matthew’s was dedicated in his memory.

Fr G. C. Ommanney – Vicar

The Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, St Peter’s Day 1898

Two members of the congregation, brothers Edwin, 21, and Noel Inman, 18, died in the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and lived in the Parish of St Matthew’s Carver Street. Three wooden sanctuary lamps were given in honour to the church in addition to two wooden candlesticks used in the Sunday services. We were fortunate to have these objects regilded in 2018.

Fr E. C. Morgan – Vicar

St Matthew’s remained unharmed throughout World War II, although there were casualties throughout the parish. Many buildings in the immediate vicinity were affected during the Sheffield Blitz of December 1940.

Fr G. C. R. Cooke – Vicar

Fr W. T. Simpson – Vicar

In August 1956, parts of the church were damaged by fire including the organ and the Lady Chapel, which had only just been restored. In the 1960s, many houses in the parish were demolished and replaced by shops and businesses, leaving the church without a residential congregation. Sheffield City Centre underwent a programme of urban renewal in the 1970s and St Matthew’s was faced with closure by the proposal to build a major road in the area, but the plans were changed. The parish has continued to grow since the 1980s with many new houses and flats being built within the parish boundaries. In 1982, the church’s two function rooms were upgraded, and in 2000, the church received a major restoration externally and internally with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Fr J. D. Preece – Vicar

Fr Longworth – Vicar

Fr E. Fisher – Vicar

The interior of St Matthew’s is embellished with some fine architectural detail such as copper panelling from the Arts & Crafts Movement on the High Altar, font, pulpit, chancel gates and choir stalls. The Reredos depicting the Adoration and High Altar have a significant write-up in the Pevsner series. Craftsmen and artists include Sedding, Longden, Wilson, Westlake and the Tory Brothers. The organ was built in 1992 by local firm Martin Goetze & Dominic Gywnn Ltd. It is based on the work of the famous German-born British organ builder, Bernard Smith (c.1630-1708).

Fr M. Wakely – Vicar

Fr S. M. Griffiths – Vicar

Fr G. L. Naylor – Vicar