The Parish of St Matthew, Triangle and All Saints, Ipswich

CONTACT DETAILS

Rector

Revd Nick Atkins

Ordained local minister

Revd Ruth Best

Minister in charge of Triangle Church

Revd Jackie Sears

Parish Administrator

Heather Gooding

Parish Office

(01473) 251630

Triangle Church Office

(01473) 219407

webmaster

The people who worship at the parish church of St Matthew in Ipswich look upon themselves as a family. How long this has been so is a matter of conjecture, but it is a family which goes back at least over 700 years to the time when Robert de Walmesford was presented to the living as parish priest by King Henry 111. Ever since then the living has been in the gift of the Crown. There is evidence, however, that the church is much older for its name appears in a legal document dated 4th February, 1190, in the reign of Richard 1.

Every family has its roots in a particular place and for the family of St Matthew's it is the parish church. Once it was a village church situated in the pasture countryside outside the borough walls. Now it is flanked on its eastern side by the busy dual carriageway of Civic Drive and on its western side by Portman Road, the thoroughfare so well known to the loyal supporters of Ipswich Town Football Club.

Both in its outward shape and in its interior appearance the church has changed considerably down the centuries. No one knows exactly what it looked like in 1270 but that it consisted of chancel, nave, a north and a south aisle, the latter with a porch, there is little doubt. Thus it remained for about 500 years, but unhappily not as much as we would like remains from the medieval past.

In 1876, Sir Gilbert Scott, the Victorian architect, found that there had been so many alterations made necessary by an expanding population that it had 'less interest than many ancient churches'. Nevertheless, St Matthew's does, in its outward appearance, seem much older and more in keeping with its ancient foundations. This is because the materials used in the nineteenth century extensions have blended with the older parts of the fabric, and the Suffolk flintstone gives it a pleasant, venerable look.

The usual approach to the church is through the well-kept churchyard by way of the path which leads from Portman Road. As he goes forward the expert will see before him a somewhat unpretentious building, almost square in shape, built chiefly in the Perpendicular style with some traces, here and there, of the earlier Decorated period

The non-expert will, likewise, see an unpretentious building that is clean, dignified, well-kept and well-cared for. For him the Church stands with solid worth and quiet dignity in a peaceful setting. As one visitor has said, 'It is a homely church with the simplicity of a country church placed in a town setting'. For all members of St Matthew's family who worship here regularly it is all of these things and more.

It is a place of quietness and strength, a place of beauty and love and praise. It is the House of God and his spiritual home.

No records have been found which give positive information about the older parts of the church fabric. Only approximate dates can be given, even by experts. There is nothing which can be claimed as of great architectural beauty, but there are certain 'treasures' which are examples of good craftsmanship, and the church does embody the worship and workmanship of eight different centuries. Whatever one may think of the taste and the design no one can doubt the sincerity of purpose of those who have sought to maintain and beautify their parish church for seven hundred years. Their prime intention was to do their best and to give of their best for the glory of God.

You may want to read about interesting features of St Matthew's Church building on Simon's Churches

Features of the Interior

The Font

Painted screen of Saints and donors,

Jacobean Monuments

Simon’s Churches