St Luke's Church, Matfield, Kent

St Luke's Church, Matfield Church

Image Source: Rob Baker

Built between 1874-76 as a chapel-of-ease to All Saints, Brenchley, Matfield's beautiful little sandstone church was designed by architect Basil Champneys and cost £2,000 to build. It consists of a nave and chancel with a narrow three bay south aisle. The moulding of the arches replicates the Early English style of the 13th century. He was commissioned by his uncle, Francis Storr. He was the Vicar of Brenchley who installed his son, Charles, to be the first Vicar of the new church. Rev. Charles Storr (died 1922) and his wife Katherine (died 1900) are commemorated with a pair of unusual memorial tablets on the north wall. The church is dedicated to St. Luke, and a small statue of the patron saint has been built into a niche in the north wall of the chancel. By using local sandstone Champneys created this church in a similar style to the medieval churches of the Weald of Kent. The design also foreshadows the Arts and Crafts movement that began ten years later. Entered through a stylish half-timbered entrance porch it very much resembles a church of the 1890s/early 1900s. Inside, there is a line of central piers supporting a tiny south aisle. The tracery around the windows is reminiscent perhaps of the Decorated period of medieval architecture. In front of the west window and enclosing the font are the wooden columns that support the belfry. Hanging down from the ceiling is a beautiful piece of glass sculpture designed in 1991 by local artist Jenny Clark of Horsmonden. The east window, depicting the Nativity was manufactured Kempe and installed in 1893. Two other stained-glass windows were made by Kempe, including the north chancel window depicting the Annunciation, added in 1904. This window has a flamboyant tracery pattern which is really quite unusual. Kempe & Co. also made the window featuring St. Luke and St. John, installed in 1923, while the window depicting St. George and St. Louis, was made by Powell & Sons in 1916. The dado panelling in the nave and the open backed benches are late Victorian, while the altar and panelled wooden reredos dates from 1926-27 and was given to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the church. The organ, manufactured by F.H. Brown of Deal, was installed in 1892. St. Luke's is a tidy and well-cared for Victorian church, quite unlike many of its contemporaries. In 1965 a sympathetic extension was joined onto the south-east to house the choir vestry. The church is regularly found open. Text by Rob Baker

1851 Census Details

Seating Capacity: Not built

Morning Attendance: Not built

Afternoon Attendance: Not built

Evening Attendance: Not built

Architecture Details

Original Build Date/Architect: Champneys 1874

Restoration:

Second Restoration:

Notes

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