St Matthew's Church, Buckley - 01244550645

St Matthew's Church, Buckley, is in the town of Buckley, Flintshire, Wales. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Hawarden, the archdeaconry of Wrexham and the diocese of St Asaph. The church is a Grade II* listed building.HistoryThe first church on the site was built in 1821–22 to a design by John Oates. It was a Commissioner's Church and the only church in Wales to be funded from the First Parliamentary Grant. Between 1897 and 1905 a series of restorations and additions were carried out by the Chester firm of architects, Douglas and Minshull. Vestries were added to the northeast of the church in 1897–99 and in 1900–01 a chancel with a polygonal apse was built. In 1902 the tower was re-modelled, reducing its height, and creating a baptistry within it. In the same year a porch was added at the southwest of the church. In 1904–05 the nave was reconstructed, adding a clerestory.Much of the work on the church from 1897 onwards was paid for by members of the family of W. E. Gladstone. The vicar of the church during this time was Canon Drew, who was married to Gladstone's daughter. Mrs Drew paid for the building of the southwest porch with money she received for publishing letters written to her by John Ruskin.

Tags: Anglican Church