Country United Kingdom Founded March 1844 (1844-03) Deanery Malvern Heritage designation Listed building | Denomination Anglican Functional status Active Archdeaconry Worcester Architect George Gilbert Scott | |
Location Malvern Link, Worcestershire Consecrated 13 January 1886 (1886-01-13) Diocese Anglican Diocese of Worcester | ||
The Church of St Matthias is an Anglican place of worship in Malvern Link, England. Prior to the establishment of this church, the residents of Malvern Link had to walk 3 miles to their parish church, St. Edburga's Church in Leigh. The Rector of Leigh, Henry Somers-Cocks, requested the 2nd Earl Somers to provide some land for a new church, which he did on the 27th December 1843, the form of Link Meadow.
The initial church was designed by Sir G G Scott. It seated 300 people, and cost £1,900 to build. It was completed in 1846 and consecrated by Bishop Pepys of Worcester on the 13th of January.
In 1858, the church was extended to the south, and a new tower was added in 1862.
In 1880, the church was found to be too small, and the decision was made to extend it eastwards. Tenders were invited, and Thomas Collins of Tewkesbury, who estimated the costs to be £2,400. The costs of this extension were principally met by Earl Beauchamp. The architect for the new church was Frederick William Hunt of London.
The present tower was added in 1889. The tower holds a ring of ten bells cast by John Taylor & Co, the world's largest working bell foundry. Bell #10 was cast in 1899, #1 and 2 in 1993, and #3 to 9 in 1900. The Tenor, the heaviest, weighs 16 cwt and is tuned to F#. The firstfull peal of Grandsire Triples was rung on 1 June 1901, in St Matthias.
The chapel screens are the work of Robert Thompson, the 'mouseman' of Kilburn in Yorkshire.