Consider the story of St Matthew’s Chapel on the Isle of Man. Its origins reach back to 1708. Bishop Wilson dedicated it as a chapel of ease in Braddan Parish. This marked the beginning of a long history. In 2008, the church celebrated its tercentenary. That year also marked a centenary of the present building.
The original St Matthew’s Chapel served as a chapel of ease. Bishop Wilson founded it. He was an educational and ecclesiastical reformer. Kirk Braddan was the mother church of Douglas. A reorganization in 1879 made St Matthew’s a parish church. It ceased being a chaplaincy.
Old St Matthew’s stood further along North Quay. It was opposite the Old Market Inn on Chapel Row. The chapel was a simple whitewashed building. It featured a Pepper Pot tower. High pews and a three-decker pulpit filled the space. A stone drinking fountain from the chapel remains. You can see it in a corner of the old Market Hall. Franz Höpfner painted “Goose Fair, Old St. Matthew’s Church”. It hangs in the Manx Museum.
Demolition of the old church was discussed in 1854. It was in bad repair. Also, it was in the way of a marketplace extension. It was agreed a new church would replace it nearby.
Rev T. A. Taggart became vicar. During his time, St Matthew’s adopted the Anglo-Catholic tradition. Taggart loved the poor. He kept the building open daily. He encouraged parishioners to use it. Taggart abolished pew rents. This reduced his stipend by £30. The demolition of the old church and construction of the new one took place under him.
Large black wooden tablets used to be in the porch. They recorded benefactions to the town’s poor. St Matthew’s was the only church in town back then. There was no other form of poor relief. The church provided and administered it. The tablets originally adorned the East end of the Old Church. They were placed in the new church when the old one was taken down.
The Lion and Unicorn also came from the Old Church. It formed the central panel of the gallery. It rested below the Duke of Athol’s pew. The pew was a grand square one. It was covered with a canopy and surrounded with curtains.
A painted list shows former chaplains of St Matthew’s. Samuel Robinson was the first in 1708. Thomas Arthur Taggart was the first vicar in 1879.
The belfry holds the old bell. It served in the Old Church for nearly 200 years. It is still in use but feeble. It will get a rest when a new one is presented. The font was the work of Mr. Thos. Quayle. It was a gift from the school children.
Miss Talbot erected the East Window. It was in memory of her mother and sister. The window is an example of Mr. Morris’s work. The stained glass represents Bishop Wilson. Rev. Charles Swynnerton gave it.
The Oddfellows Society presented a small window. It honored James Rae Fielding. He had been Church Warden for 35 years. The window was designed by Mr. Pearson. It was made by Clayton and Bell. It symbolizes Fielding’s work.
Mr. H. S. Clarke gave one of the windows in the North aisle. It is in memory of his father. The window represents “Christ Stilling the Tempest.” Mr. Alex. Sutherland gave the other window. It represents Jesus pointing to lilies.
The Lady Chapel was dedicated in 1914. Mr. G. A. Ring gave the ironwork screens. The Reredos represents Our Lady kneeling. The Altar Cross, Candlesticks, and Vases were gifts. Mrs. Canning presented the wooden panel. It represents Jesus washing feet. The brass Lectern was a gift.
The Reredos is a memorial to Canon Taggart. It is in the form of a triptych. It illustrates the Doctrine of the Incarnation. Mr. N. Hitch executed the work. Mr Pearson designed it.
The organ was built by Ernest Wadsworth Limited. The congregation raised the money. The organ was dedicated in 1922.
Mr. Tom Shaw of London gave the pulpit. Mr. J. L. Pearson designed it. The inscription is in memory of Nina Shaw.
A painting of Jesus is from the Old Nunnery of St. Bridget. Rev. Philip Moore bequeathed it.
The War Memorial commemorates the men of the Parish. It was unveiled in 1921. Archibald Knox designed it. Thomas Quayle built it.
The Communion Plate includes chalices and patens. Major Charles Nicholson gave the oldest chalice in 1710. David and Mary Murrey gave a paten. John and Susanne Murrey gave a large silver Flagon. Mr. G. A. Ring presented a Chalice.
St Matthew’s Chapel has a rich history. It continues to serve the community. Its art and artifacts tell its story. They speak of faith and dedication.