St. Matthew's Church Magazines

This illustrated talk covered several aspects of parish life – namely people, places, schools, descriptions of Lightcliffe, the church year, activities, societies, outings and gifts to the church. Outside events referred to included Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, the smallpox epidemic, the influenza epidemic and the Thornton Colliery Disaster.  Crow Nest Mansion, Cliffe Hill, Till Carr House and the White Horse were all mentioned, along with the church school, Hipperholme School and Hipperholme Grammar School.  Three Vicars, many curates and assorted head teachers came and went.

Several contributions included descriptions of Lightcliffe, remarking upon its leafy aspect and the beauty of the church building.  The church year from Christmas, through Easter, Whitsun and the Dedication Festival to Harvest Festival, was marked by choir and organ music, Sunday School celebrations and bell ringing.  Treats for poor children and outings for choristers and Sunday School teachers were provided, with transport including horse-drawn charabancs, the train from Lightcliffe station and “Mr Marsh’s drag – 4 in hand”.

Gifts to the Church ranged from £50 from Mrs Foster for ‘all the beautiful brass-work’ to be sent away and cleaned, to £3,000 from Mrs Foster and her daughters for the new choir vestry, by way of a fine oak hymn board from Dr. Marsden, a new flag, repairs to the roof, a new lamp for the gateway and robes for the choir.

Societies associated with the Church included the Amateur Dramatic the Orchestral, Lightcliffe Scientific, a library, the Choral and the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement.