St Matthew's Church, Perth

Church in Perth and Kinross, Scotland
56°23′47″N 3°25′33″W / 56.396254°N 3.4258536°W / 56.396254; -3.4258536LocationPerth, Perth and KinrossCountryScotlandDenominationChurch of ScotlandWebsiteOfficial websiteHistoryFormer name(s)West ChurchStatusopenDedicationSt MatthewArchitectureFunctional statususedHeritage designationCategory B listed buildingDesignated20 May 1965Architect(s)John HoneymanArchitectural typeEcclesiasticalYears built1870–1871Groundbreaking19 May 1870CompletedNovember 1871; 153 years ago (1871)SpecificationsSpire height212 feet (65 m)ClergyVicar(s)
  • Reverend Anne Brennan (locum)
  • Reverend Barbara Quigley (locum)

St Matthew's Church (formerly Free Church and West Church)[1] is a church in the Scottish city of Perth, Perth and Kinross. Of Church of Scotland denomination, it is located on Tay Street, overlooking the River Tay, just east of the city centre. Completed in November 1871, the work of John Honeyman, it is a Category B listed building.[2]

In 1965, the four congregations of Wilson Church, Scott Street, West and Middle, and Bridgend Church were merged to become St Matthew's.[2]

The church celebrated its 150th anniversary in November 2021.[3]

Prominence

The church's prominent location, on the banks of the River Tay, has resulted in its being one of the primary image subjects in search engine returns for the city,[4][5] mostly from the viewpoint of Queen's Bridge. It has also been the subject of several paintings, including that of Alexander McLauchlan.[6]

  • The church stands on Tay Street
    The church stands on Tay Street
  • Illumination at night
    Illumination at night

See also

  • flagScotland portal

References

  1. ^ Official Guide to Perth and Its Neighbourhood by the Tramway Car Routes – Perth Town Council (1907), p. 16
  2. ^ a b ST MATTHEW'S (FORMERLY WEST) CHURCH, TAY STREET - Historic Environment Scotland
  3. ^ "NEW FREE CHURCH PERTH LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE" – St Matthew's Church official website
  4. ^ Google image search for "Perth Scotland"
  5. ^ Bing image search for "Perth, Scotland"
  6. ^ St Matthew's Church, Perth, Alexander McLauchlan (active 1800–1884) – Art UK

External links

  • Official website
  • Transcript from the ceremony of the laying of the church's foundation stone – The Dundee Courier and Argus, 19 May 1870