Your Ultimate Guide To Barbados

St. Matthew's Anglican Church

When you enter the St. Matthew's Anglican churchyard, you will feel as if you were transported back to Mediaeval Times somewhere in Europe rather than in the churchyard on the tropical island of Barbados. This beautiful Gothic building certainly sets the scene; sitting in the middle of one and a quarter acres of land at Hothersal Turning in the parish of St. Michael.

Construction on this church was completed on November 21st, 1829 and it was consecrated by Bishop William Hart Coleridge on March 18th, 1830 with the corner stone being laid by the Governor of Barbados at the time, Sir James Lyon. This church building however, stood for just one and a half years as it was completely destroyed by the devastating hurricane which struck the island of Barbados in August of 1831. Despite the destruction to the church stock on the island of Barbados, this church was rebuilt in 1832 at a cost of five hundred and sixty six pounds (£566.00).

Barbara Hill in her book 'Historic Churches of Barbados' notes that the façade of St. Matthew's Church is the "most attractive of the Gothic designs of all the Barbadian Chapels and Churches" and I have to agree.  This beautiful church sits on the main road with its entrance located to the East of the church and as you enter this quiet churchyard, the large Mile trees and Mahogany trees create a very tranquil, almost story-like atmosphere.

It is interesting to note that this church has a close connection to the Friendship Plantation located just a short distance away. You see, the land on which the church is sited was given by James Rogers of Friendship Plantation. Incidentally, Friendship Plantation was once owned by London Bourne, Barbados' first successful black merchant who also owned one of the lovely town houses located on Bay Street in the city of Bridgetown. Today along that same stretch of road, the government of Barbados has constructed a set of subsidized high rise apartment buildings which bear the name of that noted Barbadian.

St. Matthew's church in suburban Barbados has undergone quite a few renovations; in 1973 & 1974 an office was built which replaced the vestry and provided space for a sexton's room, two robbing rooms and a store room. This alteration sits to the north of the altar and was obviously built for function as it is definitely not in keeping with the church's Gothic design, nonetheless it does not detract from the church's overall beauty. Additionally, between 1997 & 1998 the church's entire roof, ceiling and all of the windows were replaced. The east window however, was only refurbished with the addition of a stained glass window featuring the church’s namesake, St. Matthew.

St. Matthew's Church definitely merits a visit the next time you are in the area or find yourself on the beautiful island of Barbados.

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