St Matthew's Church, Bromborough Pool Explained

St Matthew's Church,
Bromborough Pool
Pushpin Map:Merseyside
Pushpin Mapsize:200
Map Caption:Location in Merseyside
Location:York Street, Bromborough Pool, Wirral, Merseyside
Country:England
Coordinates:53.3507°N -2.9788°W
Osgraw:SJ 349 842
Website:St Michael, Bromborough Pool
Dedication:Saint Matthew
Status:Chapel
Functional Status:Closed
Heritage Designation:Grade II
Designated Date:2 December 1986
Architect:Leach of London
Architectural Type:Church
Style:Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking:1889
Completed Date:1890
Closed Date:2007
Materials:Stone, tiled roofs, slate spirelet
Parish:Bromborough
Deanery:Wirral, South
Archdeaconry:Chester
Diocese:Chester

St Matthew's Church is in York Street, Bromborough Pool, Wirral, Merseyside, England. It was originally a non-denominational chapel for the workers at the nearby candle factory, and later became an Anglican church, but it closed for worship in 2007. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building.

History

The church was built in 1889–90 and designed by Leach of London for the use of the workers of Price's Patent Candle Company. Bromborough Pool was an early model village created in 1853 by George and James Wilson, founders of the company. The church was originally a non-denominational chapel, and later became Anglican. It was a chapel in the benefice of St Barnabas, Bromborough, but closed for worship in 2007.

Architecture

St Matthew's is constructed in rock-faced stone with ashlar dressings and a tiled roof. Its plan consists of a four-bay nave, a south porch, a three-bay chancel, a north transept, and a turret in the angle in the north corner of the nave and transept. The west window, the east window, the nave and transept windows are all triple lancets, and along the sides of the chancel are paired lancets. The turret is octagonal and has a pointed entrance, louvred bell openings, and a slate spirelet surmounted by an iron cross.

Appraisal

The church was designated as a Grade II listed building on 2 December 1986. Grade II is the lowest of the three grades of listing and is applied to buildings that are "nationally important and of special interest".

Present day and governance

Until its closure in 2007 the church was in the parish and benefice of Bromborough, the deanery of Wirral, South, the archdeaconry of Chester, and the diocese of Chester. Since it was closed, work has been carried out to make plans for its reopening for worship.

See also