St Mathews Church, Mount Street, Little Bolton

ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH, BOLTON - The church consists of chancel, 38 feet by 25 feet; south chancel aisle, 21 feet 6 inches by 20 feet; nave, 98 feet by 24 feet 7 inches; north and south transepts, 24 feet by 17 feet; north and south aisles, 95 feet by 13  feet 4inches; tower, 20  feet square at west of north aisle; organ chamber, 21  feet 6 inches by 20  feet ; detached octagonal vestry, 13  feet 7 inches diameter; and south porch. It is intended to seat 1,000 adults on the ground floor. Internally the nave arcade consists of five arches on each side, supported by polished granite columns, with carved caps. The transept arches are of wide span, and the apex of each reaches up to the level of wall plate of roof. There are also stone arches to carry the west walls of transepts across the aisles. The chancel has an apsidal end, with three-light tracery windows. The chancel aisle opens into the chancel by two arches, with dividing column, and into the aisle by a single arch. The west arch of organ chamber is similar to that just described, and there is also an arch opening into the chancel from the organ chamber. The pulpit, which will be of Caen stone and alabaster, is placed on the north side of the chancel arch ; the reading desk will be of oak, and will stand within the chancel on the south side, under the chancel arch ; the font will be of Caen stone. The chancel will be raised three steps above the nave, and the sacrarium three steps more, or, in all, three feet above the nave. The tracery windows of transepts are of four lights, that in west of nave is of six lights, those in west of aisles and at east of chancel aisle and organ chamber of three lights, and the other windows are of two lights. A good clerestory, pierced with two-light tracery windows, is given. The window tracery generally is of rich and appropriate design, and will add much to the ornamental character of the building. The principal entrance will be through the tower from Mount-street, and there will be a porch for entrance from an intended street on the north side. The tower, which is 70 feet high, surmounted by a spire, 87 feet high, will form a conspicuous feature of the church. It will be of good proportion, with a well-developed belfry storey, having two windows on each side. The octagonal ends of chancel are surmounted by gables. The whole of the roofs will be of pitch pine, varnished, and plastered in panels between the timbers. The principals will have circular ribs. The whole of the benches will be of pitch pine, varnished. The passages will be floored with tiles in ornamental patterns, those in the chancel being of rich character. The roofs will be covered with slate, in bands of red and blue alternately. The style of the church is decorated, with flowing tracery. The estimated cost is £7,000, and the work is to be commenced immediately, under the direction of the Architects, Messrs. T. D. Barry and Sons, of Liverpool. [British Architect 29 May 1874 page 344]

The spire of St Matthew's, was a notable local landmark, rising 87 feet above its tower but in 1947 the spire was leaning at an alarming angle so the top 30 feet was removed. The stones were numbered and arranged in the Churchyard, with plans to rebuild. Unfortunately, the foundations were found to be inadequate and in 1955 the rest of the Spire was removed, leaving just the Tower.

The Parish of St Matthew united with the Parish of St Barnabas by Order in Council 27 October 1971.The Church of St Matthew closed in 1982 and was subsequently demolished due to dry rot.

Reference           British Architect                29 May 1874 page 344 and illustration