“Dissoluteness of morals and a disregard for religion.” These words, penned in an Act of Parliament in 1745, speak volumes about the need for St Matthew’s Parish Church. Bethnal Green in the 18th century was a far cry from the tranquil village green it once was. The arrival of Huguenot weavers brought a wave of new residents, and with them, a pressing need for a spiritual home.
St Matthew’s Parish Church, designed by George Dance, was not the first attempt to build a church here. Nicholas Hawksmoor, a pupil of the renowned Christopher Wren, had grand plans for a basilica-style church. However, financial constraints and local opposition led to the abandonment of this project. Dance’s design, completed in 1746, proved to be a more modest yet equally significant addition to Bethnal Green.
The church’s history is a tapestry woven with tales of resilience and renewal. Fire ravaged the interior in 1859, leading to a reconstruction that saw the addition of a cupola on the tower and beautiful stained glass. Yet, tragedy struck again during World War II when bombing left the church a roofless shell. Undeterred, the community erected a temporary church within the walls, a testament to their enduring faith. The present-day St Matthew’s Parish Church, rebuilt in 1961, stands as a symbol of hope, its walls bearing witness to centuries of faith, struggle, and rebirth.