St Matthew's Carver Street Sheffield

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Perhaps the best kept secret in the city centre of Sheffield is St. Matthew's church situated in Carver Street. The church was built to serve a densely populated area of what we would now call 'Victorian slums', although if you talk to older members of the congregation who were brought up in the locality, it was almost heaven itself! The foundation stone of the church was laid on June 1st 1854, the consecration taking place on June 6th 1855. The church celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2005. Since its foundation St. Matthew's has seen many changes and has had an interesting, and even distinguished history. A flagship of the Anglo-catholic movement offering rich elaborate ceremonial, today serving a bustling city centre, with a multitude of shops, offices, bars, restaurants and night clubs in its immediate proximity, a far cry from its

surroundings 150 years ago when Mass was said to the accompaniment to the pounding of machinery in the nearby 'mesters' and small factories often making cutlery from Sheffield steel. St. Matthew's has survived many threats to its existence. During the Second World War it survived the bombing which ravaged the city, and, despite the war, the church was 'blacked out' so that worship might take place daily. Much of the surrounding area was lost or damaged. In August 1956 it survived a fire which damaged the organ, destroyed choir robes and damaged the Lady Chapel which had been restored merely two weeks previously. In the 1970's. Matthew's was again threatened, this time by redevelopment of the city centre, but plans for a proposed road were changed and the church and its buildings remain on the same site. In the next few years St Matthew’s will be in the centre of the new retail quarter and will be open daily for services, welcoming visitors and for those who want private prayer.

New members of the Parish Choir are always welcome, especially each autumn as students arrive in Sheffield. The Choir sings a varied and interesting repertoire which complements and enhances the church's rich liturgy. It sings at Solemn Mass every Sunday plus monthly Choral Evensongs (usually with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament) and at major festival services. There also regular trips (most recently to Guildford Cathedral and Selby Abbey), concerts, and special events. The choir has a lively social life and is deeply involved in the wider life of the church and city. Scholarship funds are available to facilitate singing lessons and other opportunities for musical development. Prospective new members are invited to speak to any member of the choir or to contact Fraser: music@stmatthewssheffield.co.uk / 07801 496735.