St Matthew with St Chad

A brief history of St Matthew with St Chad

St Matthew's was built in 1855 by Joseph James. A parsonage was built within 6 years and a church school in 1861 (which was then replaced in the 1960s). The mission church of St Chad's closed in 1969 and the parish joined with St Matthew.

Smethwick grew around the canal which is lined by industrial buildings north-east of the church. The area was home to the Soho Foundry of Boulton and Watt, which was established at the end of the 18th Century as the first purpose-built steam engine manufactory in the world. The success of the foundry increased the size of the local population. The ‘old church’ could no longer meet the capacity so Revd Edward Addenbrooke, vicar at that time, proposed a new church to contain 500 sittings. Land for the building was donated by Mr J W Unett. An ICBS grant was awarded.

In 1895 the Mitchell family, of the Mitchells and Butlers brewery, gave gifts to the church including the east window, font, reredos, pulpit, pews and chancel rails.

The last burial was in 1935. In the 1980s the west end was partitioned to create a meeting room, kitchen and bathrooms.

The Reverend Canon Lucille Arlidge is currently the Priest in Charge and more information can be found using the link below

St Matthew with St Chad - A Church Near You