Name

Matthew Ellison Hadfield

Designation
architect
Born
1812
Place of Birth
Glossop
Location
Sheffield
Died
1885

  • Born      8 September 1812
  • Died       9 March 1885

 Matthew Ellison Hadfield was a Sheffield-based architect who, in partnership with John Gray Weightman, obtained commissions for Roman Catholic churches throughout the North of England, Wales and Ireland in the early years of the Gothic Revival.

A devout Roman Catholic, Matthew Ellison Hadfield was born on 8 September 1812 at Lees Hall in Glossop, Derbyshire, the eldest son of Joseph Hadfield and Mary Hadfield (née Ellison). He attended Woolton Grove Academy near Liverpool, and between 1827 and 1831, he worked for his maternal uncle, Michael Ellison, northern agent of the Dukes of Norfolk in the estate office in Sheffield. Discovering that his nephew had a decided talent for architecture, Michael Elllison persuaded his father to article him to Messrs. Woodhead and Hurst, of Doncaster. The indentures were signed in 1831, and continued in force for three years, after which Matthew Hadfield entered the office of Mr P. F. Robinson, an architect of note in London. About 1837 he returned to Sheffield and there commenced practice on his own account. In 1838 he entered into partnership with his friend, John Gray Weightman and in 1850 the firm took into partnership a former pupil, George Goldie, its style then becoming “Weightman, Hadfield, and Goldie.” John Gray Weightman formally retired from the partnership in June 1859.  After a partnership of eight years, George Goldie also left to commence practice alone in London in 1861. After several years working alone, in 1864 M E Hadfield was joined by his only son, Charles Hadfield, the firm the being known as “M. E. Hadfield and Son,” and the business assuming very great proportions.  From the first he was actively engaged in general professional practice, chiefly in the North and Midlands, and among a variety of public and private buildings designer by him and his partner may be named the town hall, Glossop, the Norfolk and Fitzalan market halls, also the Queen’s Tower, Sheffield, Knecklington Manor, Boreatton Park; and later, in conjunction with George Goldie, the Farm, a local seat of the Dukes of Norfolk; Glossop Hall, for Lord Edward Howard; several schools, besides many important churches in England and Ireland.

The revival of the Gothic style, found an active supporter, in Matthew Hadfield and the churches and schools erected at the time from the designs of himself and his partner show the result of much careful study. Matthew Hadfield’s connections with the Dukes of Norfolk proved invaluable in obtaining commissions for new Roman Catholic churches throughout the North of England. The earliest churches were at Carlton, Worksop, Masborough, New Mills, and Matlock Bath, and were almost immediately followed by others at Liverpool, Birkenhead, Manchester, Middlesbrough, etc.  The practice rapidly acquired a high reputation for such work. Augustus Welby Pugin writing in 1842, in what he termed “a review of the state of ecclesiastical architecture,’ described and illustrated their little church then just built at Masborough, near Rotherham.  St. John’s Cathedral, Salford, begun in 1844 was one of the very first “revivals” of a large cruciform church with a central tower and spire, and It was given by Eastlake as an instance, with an illustration. That this and several other of the architect’s churches in Lancashire and elsewhere showed a great advance was generally admitted by those who hailed the Gothic Revival.

 In the busy West Riding, the early growth of the railway system in the West Riding provided much employment to Mr Hadfield’s firm, and in association with John Fowler, the engineer, they designed the Gorton depot, Manchester, and various stations and works on large sections of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway.

Matthew Hadfield was employed by four Dukes of Norfolk, and Sheffield, at the time of his death, was full of his designs, including the Royal Victoria Hotel, the Gas Company's Offices in Commercial Street, the Norfolk Drill Hall, many Catholic Schools, S. Vincent's Church, S. Joseph's Home, Queen's Tower, the Cyclops Works, Thornbury for F. T. Mappin, Bleak House in Manchester Road  for John Fowler, the Corn Exchange, S. Marie's Church, and Pawson and Brailsford's printing works at Church Gates. Among the buildings designed for his home town of Glossop were the Town Hall, Market Hall, Railway Station, All Saints’ RC Church and School, Duke of Norfolk School, St Charles Church.

Matthew Hadfield was one of the earliest associates of the RIBA, became a Fellow in May, 1847, and served on the council during 1866-8. He also took an active interest in Sheffield affairs, and from 1854 to 1857 was a member of the town council. About the same time he served upon the board of guardians, of which he held the position of vice-chairman. He was president of the School of Art from1877 to 1879 inclusive, and retained his seat in the council until his death. He was also one of the founders of the " Gentlemen's Club."

In the Spring of 1839 he married Sarah Frith of Sheffield at Kensington, London.

After suffering failing health for the previous three years, Mathew Ellison Hadfield died on 9 March 1885 at his residence, Knowl House, near Sheffield, aged seventy-two years. He was buried in St Michael's Roman Catholic cemetery, Rivelin Glen, Sheffield and was survived by his wife, his son, Charles, and three daughters. In 1887 A memorial designed by Charles Hadfield was placed in the north transept of St. Marie’s (R.C.) Church, Sheffield, in his memory.

Partnerships

Name Designation Formed Dissolved Location
Weightman and Hadfield Architectural practice 1838 1858 Sheffield
Weightman Hadfield and Goldie Architectural practice 1852 1860 Sheffield
Hadfied and Son Architectural practice 1860 1875 Sheffield
Wightman and Hadfield 3346 Architectural practice 1837 1852 Sheffield