St Matthew's Church, Ealing Common

St Matthew’s Church is a Grade II listed Anglican parish church in Ealing, West London. Located on North Common Road overlooking Ealing Common, the church was designed by the architect Alfred Jowers in the Gothic Revival style and consecrated in 1884. It is noted for its extensive collection of late 19th and early 20th-century stained glass, its Arts and Crafts interior features, and its historical association with seven-time Wimbledon champion Dorothea Lambert Chambers, whose father served as the church's first vicar. History Foundation and construction The parish was established in 1872 as the St Matthew’s Mission District Church. Initially, the congregation worshipped in a "tin tabernacle" (a temporary iron building) located on a triangular site at Grange Park, lent by Daniel Radford. As the residential development of Ealing accelerated in the late 19th century, a permanent site on North Common Road was donated by Edward Wood, owner of the Hanger Hill estate. Due to the specific dimensions of the gifted land, the church could not follow the traditional ecclesiastical east-west orientation; instead, it is aligned on a southwest-northeast axis. The building committee commissioned architect Alfred Jowers to design a church capable of seating 935 people. Construction began in 1881, and the foundation stone was laid on 3 April 1883 by Bishop Jackson of Antigua. The church was consecrated on 14 June 1884 by the Bishop of London at a total construction cost of £8,200. Late Victorian and early 20th century The first vicar, Reverend Henry Douglass, was appointed in 1885 and served the parish until his death in 1916. Douglass was known for his innovative "Picture Services," which utilised a magic lantern to project hymns and religious art onto a sheet in the chancel. His daughter, Dorothea Lambert Chambers (née Douglass), became one of the most successful tennis players in history, winning seven Wimbledon singles titles. She is commemorated by an English Heritage blue plaque on the vicarage adjacent to the church, where she lived during her early career. The church interior was enhanced throughout the early 20th century, most notably with a First World War memorial screen and stained glass windows designed by the Arts and Crafts artist Reginald Hallward. Modern era In 2014, the church was designated as a Grade II listed building. Historic England cited its architectural integrity, its "competent and dignified" Gothic Revival design, and the high quality of its interior fittings—including a Munich-carved wooden reredos and the Hallward glass—as primary reasons for the listing. Architecture and interior Exterior The church is constructed of red brick with sandstone dressings and a brown sandstone exterior. Due to the shape of the land gifted for construction, the building is "unoriented," with the altar facing northeast rather than the traditional liturgical east. The architectural style is Geometrical Gothic, featuring steeply pitched slate roofs and a small flèche (spirelet) atop the roofline. Interior and fittings The interior is noted for its wide nave and significant collection of Arts and Crafts ecclesiastical art. Key features include: Reredos: A finely carved wooden reredos depicting the Last Supper, crafted in Oberammergau, Germany. War Memorial: An oak screen designed by Reginald Hallward as a memorial to the parishioners who died in the First World War. It is considered a significant example of Hallward's woodwork. Stained glass: The church contains an extensive collection of stained glass. The east window is by Edward Frampton (1884), while the north and south aisles feature works by Reginald Hallward, created using his distinct "pâte de verre" technique. Music and pipe organ St Matthew's maintains a strong choral tradition. The organ was originally built in 1884 by James Walker & Sons and has undergone several restorations, including work by Walker in 1910 and later maintenance by Mander Organs. The instrument is highly regarded for its tonal quality and suitability for the church's acoustics. Notable people Dorothea Lambert Chambers: A seven-time Wimbledon singles champion and Olympic gold medallist. She was the daughter of the first vicar and lived in the adjacent vicarage, which now bears an English Heritage blue plaque in her honour. Rev. Henry Douglass: The first vicar (1885–1916), known for his "Picture Services" which used early projection technology to engage the congregation. Reginald Hallward: A prominent artist of the Arts and Crafts movement whose glasswork and memorials form a core part of the church's Grade II designation. References External links Official website Media related to St Matthew's Church, Ealing at Wikimedia Commons