27A The Drive, Kingsley, Northampton NN1 4RY

The building was designed by a local architect, Matthew Henry Holding (1846-1910) in 13th century Gothic style. It was the gift of the Phipps family in memory of Pickering Phipps, a local brewer who had twice been Mayor of Northampton and twice an MP. The foundation stone was laid on St Matthew's Day in 1891 and the church was dedicated in 1893 on St Matthew's Day, 21 September.

Fr Hussey was driven by the desire to build a bridge between the church and modern artists through adventurous commissions. When he came to St Matthew's, albeit reluctantly, he was determined to turn his convictions into action. Though the liturgy and life of the parish remained largely unchanged from his father's day, he proceeded throughout the thirteen years of his incumbency to commission for St Matthew's, often at extraordinarily low cost, an outstanding succession of fine works of art. Moore's sculpture and Sutherland's painting are the tangible evidences of this in the church, but musical works by Britten (Rejoice in the Lamb), Rubbra, Finzi and Howells were also obtained, and literary commissions by Auden and Norman Nicholson were undertaken. Canon Walter Hussey's pre-eminence in this field of the church and the arts was recognised by his appointment in 1950 to the Deanery of Chichester where he was to continue his pioneering work.

Fr John, who became a Canon of Peterborough in 1982, continued the tradition of commissioning new works of art, notably the 14 Stations of the Cross by David Thomas, and the hanging figure of the Risen Christ, the work of the local sculptor, Malcolm Pollard.

Henry Moore's Madonna and Child is a work of international significance. The sculpture is in Hornton stone and was carved for the church by Moore in 1943-44. It is the gift of the first Vicar, The Rev'd Canon J Rowden Hussey, and stands in the north transept near the Lady Chapel.

Graham Sutherland's The Crucifixion 1946 - In south transept.

Ian Rank-Broadley's St Matthew 2009

Malcolm Pollard's The Risen Christ 1992 - The figure hangs in a commanding position at the head of the nave and is suspended on yacht wire from the void between the inner and outer roofs immediately in front of the chancel arch. Behind the figure may be seen a fine filigree ironwork cross which is the work of G R de Wilde. De Wilde was a friend of the architect, and this along with much of the ironwork in the church was installed by him in 1895.

The church is usually closed. You have to contact St Matthews to arrange a visit. They were very efficient!

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© Jo Edkins 2026