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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

St. Matthew's Church

St. Matthew's Church, St. Albans. St. Matthew's Parochial District originally formed part of the large parish of St. Luke, from which it was separated in 1882, the rector of St. Luke's, the Rev. E. A. Lingard, and his people generously co-operating. The Rev. E. A. Mortimer was the first vicar of St. Matthew's. The church and large schoolroom were built about the year 1876. In 1883 the parsonage was erected. The Rev. W. E. Gillam was appointed vicar in 1885, and during his ministry the church was further enlarged to its present capacity, and a pipe organ was erected. The Rev. T. Purchas, M.A., was incumbent from 1887 to 1890. The present vicar, the Rev. Henry Williams, was inducted in January, 1891. A parish room was built in the following year. The church is built of wood and is Gothic in design. It consists of nave, chancel and vestry, and has a small bell turret. Accommodation is provided for 250 persons, and the seats are free and unappropriated. There is a surpliced choir and the service is monotoned. Saints' days are observed, and daily prayers are said in Advent and Lent. There is no debt whatever on the parish. In addition to a flourishing Sunday school there has always been a Church day school attached to the parish which is conducted, under the care of the vicar, by a head mistress and an assistant teacher. One feature of interest is the Young Men's Guild, which has existed for eight years, and has now a membership of seventy or eighty young men. There is also a large Church of England Temperance Society in connection with the parish.