St Matthias Church, Hackney

St Matthias Church is a Gothic Revival church building in Stoke Newington featuring a tall central nave, narrow side aisles, and a distinctive saddleback tower at the crossing. The structure was built from brick with stone trim and displays intricate window designs characteristic of the Gothic style.

The church was funded in 1851 by local surgeon Robert Brett and designed by architect William Butterfield to serve the growing neighborhood population. During World War II, bombing damaged the interior significantly, prompting a complete restoration by architect Nugent Cachemaille-Day completed in 1954.

The church serves as a gathering place that blends traditional Anglican worship with welcoming spaces for visitors seeking a quiet moment. On weekends and weekdays, people come together for services or simply to sit in the pews and reflect, making it part of the local rhythm.

The building is accessible to visitors during regular opening hours, with services held on various weekdays and weekends. The best time to explore is outside of service times when the church is quiet and you can examine the architectural details at your own pace.

The original stained glass was completely destroyed during bombing and had to be entirely recreated, giving the interior a distinctive story of renewal. This restoration shows how post-war architects like Cachemaille-Day brought back lost beauty to damaged buildings.