Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace be to this house!'  and if a person of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him.

Welcome to our website.   We bid you peace. Here,   you   will   find   some   details   of   our   parish   life.      However, there   is   no   substitute   to   being   with   us.      If   you   are   in   the   city,   we will offer you a warm welcome if you choose to join us.

We       are       committed       to ensuring   that   our   church   is   a safe     place     for     vulnerable people.        For    details    press here .

The Parish

Saint   Matthew’s   is   the   home   for   the   four   former   parishes   of   Saint   Philip   (Elswick),   Saint   Augustine   (Brighton   Grove),   Saint Matthew   (Big   Lamp)   and   Saint   Mary   the   Virgin   (Rye   Hill).      Technically,   the   parishes   of   Saints   Philip   &   Augustine   and   Saint Matthew   with   Saint   Mary   the   Virgin   remain   two   separate   parishes;   but   for   the   most   part   we   work   very   closely   together.      The parishes are held in plurality and comprise a single benefice. The   Parish   is   part   of   the   Anglican   Diocese   of   Newcastle,    within   the   Archdeaconry   of   Northumberland   and   at   the   Eastern edge   of   the   Newcastle   West   Deanery.      The   Big   Lamp   is   a   location   where   the   West   Road   intersects   with   Elswick   Road,   Diana Street   and   some   other   smaller   roads   (including   Summerhill   Street).      There   was   originally   a   large   street   lamp   (the   Big   Lamp )   at this   intersection.      The   benefice   extends   from   Westgate   Hill   up   to   the   fringes   of   the   former   General   Hospital   site;   and   from   the   river over to Barrack Road.  The boundaries of the parishes meander around as is often the case in cities. The   demography   of   the   benefice   is   very   diverse   in   almost   every   possible   way.      The   congregations   are   drawn   from   across   the   city and well beyond.  We also enjoy considerable support from people, who are not formally members of our congregations. The   theological   perspectives   of   the   church   are   firmly   Anglo-Catholic   (a   Catholic   interpretation   of   the   Anglican   heritage).      All   that we   do   is   rooted   in   the   prayer   offered   day   by   day   in   the   parish   church.      We   say   that   we   aspire   to   be   a   Eucharistic   Community,   which means   that   we   try   to   embody   the   character   of   community   inherent   in   and   expressed   by   the   celebration   of   the   Mass,   which   takes place daily in Saint Matthew’s.

Where we are and how to get here

Saint   Matthew’s   sits   at   the   top   of   the   Westgate   Hill   just   off   the   junction   of   the   West   Road   and   Elswick   Road   in   Summerhill Street.      It   is   five   minutes’   walk   from   Saint   James   Metro   Station    (through   the   University);   or   ten   minutes’   walk   from Monument  (Metro) Station and Central Station  (mainline and Metro). Buses 10, 11 and 38  come up to Big Lamp from the City Centre.

Saint   Matthew’s   sits   within   the   Summerhill   Conservation   Area,   where   parking   restrictions   usually   apply .      If   you   arrive for a service or other event and park in Summerhill, be sure to ask for a parking permit at the door. If   you   are   coming   to   Saint   Matthew’s   by   car    from   outside   the   city,   is   probably   easiest   to   travel   along   the   A1,   turn   onto   the A184,   turn   left   onto   the   Redheugh   Bridge;   turn   left   again   into   Westmoreland   Road,   right   at   the   second   roundabout   into   Rye Hill   and   right   into   Houston   Street   (just   before   Saint   Paul’s   School).      At   the   end   of   Houston   Street,   turn   left   and   then   second right into Summerhill Street.  Saint Matthew’s is near the top of the road. Unfortunately,   owing   to   the   lie   of   the   land   on   which   it   is   built,   Saint   Matthew’s   is   quite   difficult   to   enter   for   people   with walking   disabilities.      There   are   four   steps   at   the   West   Door   and   lots   more   at   the   South   Door   (though   just   one   shallow   one   into the   Hall).      However,   we   have   a   ramp ,   which   can   very   quickly   be   put   in   place   at   the   West   Door   before   and   after   services   and other   events.      If   you   would   need   it   for   a   private   visit,   please   contact   the   Vicar   or   one   of   the   wardens;   and   we   shall   arrange   a time when it can be available to you.

The Liturgy

Sunday, 8 th December  

Advent II

Mass at 9am High Mass at 10.30am* Solemn Evensong and Benediction at 6.30pm*

* denotes streamed service    # - not streamed this week

For   those   who   are   unable   to   attend   church   for   one   reason   or   another,   the   principal services   are   streamed   live   and   the   streaming   can   be   accessed   through   this   website   on   the streamed   services   page.          The   technology   is   a   wonderful   thing,   but   it   does   not   replace   the need   to   attend   Mass   when   we   can;   so   please   do   hear   the   invitation   to   join   us   at   Saint Matthew’s.  Descriptions of the services and their duration can be found here .

For   the   Mass   on   Advent   II   (1 st    December)   we   use   the   Advent   Mass    booklet;   for Evensong   we   use   the   Advent   I   booklet;    details   of   the   psalms   and   hymn   are   here ;   for the   Conception   of   the   BVM    we   use   the   Missa   de   Angelis    booklet,   the   hymns   are here ; Liturgy books can be found here .

Monday, 9 th December Tuesday, 10 th  December Wedensday, 11 th  December Thursday, 12 th December Friday, 13 th December Saturday, 14 th December

Conception of the BVM Feria Feria Feria Feria S John of the Cross/for Ukraine

Sung Mass at 7.30pm* Low Mass at 11.30am Low Mass at 6.30pm Low Mass at 9.45am Low Mass at 11.30am Low Mass at 10am*

Mass at 9am High Mass at 10.30am* Solemn Evensong and Benediction at 6.30pm*

Advent II .

Week Commencing 8 th  December

Sunday, 15 th December

    People/contacts

Most   members   of   the   congregations   are   key   people   in   one   way   or   another   as   they   contribute   their skills, time and resources.  However, there are a few principal legally prescribed people.

Vicar Father Richard Deadman 10 Winchester Terrace   Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6EH o191 232 9039/ Richardgsd@aol.com

Churchwardens

Saint Matthew’s Miss Anne Stewart 0191 274 8502

Saint Matthew’s Mrs Margaret Brain 0191 274 2157

Saint Philip’s Mrs Joyce Lowery 0191 273 5036

Safeguarding Officer Mrs Margaret Evans 0191 273 5103

Saint Philip’s Mrs Pauline Jones 0191 272 1766

             Parish Safeguarding and contacts • Parish Safeguarding Officer,         DBS Administrator and Children’s advocate          Margaret Evans  - 0191 2735103 mgt.evans@gmail.com • Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser  Vacant • Chaplaincy to survivors - Lead officer Maggie Creese  - m.creese@newcastle.anglican.org Agencies    available   to   assist   can   be   found   on   the   Promoting   a   Safer   Church   poster.                    Organisations offering help NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 800 5000 (Free, 24hrs) Child-line 0800 1111 (Free, 24hrs) National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247 (Free, 24hrs) Samaritans Help Line 0845 790 9090 (available 24hrs) Action on Elder Abuse Helpline  0808 808 8141   (Freephone  9.00am.-5.00pm. Mon. to Fri.) For contact details of churchwardens see people/contact page.

Safeguarding Information

Diocese of Newcastle Website         www.newcastle.anglican.org/safeguarding Church of England  National Safeguarding   www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding Link to leaflet “You will be listened to”  www.newcastle.anglican.org/documents/survivors-leaflet-you-will-be- listened/

Streamed service

The Building - Beginnings

The   district   of   Saint   Matthew’s   was   formed   from   Saint   John’s   parish and   endowed   with   £200   per   year   by   the   Ecclesiastical   Commissioners in    November    1869.        There    was    no    building    until    the    purchase    by Father   Robert   Daunt,   the   first   Vicar,   of   an   iron   church   opened   on   1 st   May 1870. From    this    date,    a    site    was    sought    for    a    more    substantial    building.      When    Saint    Paul’s    parish    decided    that    they    wished    to    move    the Vicarage   nearer   to   their   church,   the   land   at   the   top   of   Westgate   Hill was   acquired   and   the   foundation   stone   was   laid on   1 st    May   1878   by   Percy   G   B   Westmacott   (1830 -    1917),    a    prominent    engineer,    whose    family provided considerable funds for the building of the Church. The   architect   chosen   to   design   Saint   Matthew's   was   Robert   James   Johnson (1832   -   1892)   assisted   by   his   then   pupil   William   Searle   Hicks   (1849   -   1902).     Johnson   was   the   go-to   architect   of   his   generation   in   the   Northeast.      He   was involved   in   the   refurbishment   of   many   churches   in   the   region   as   well   as   the design   of   several,   including   All   Saints,   Gosforth   and   Saint   Hilda's,   Whitby.     A   pupil   of   George   Gilbert   Scott   and   a   friend   of   Bodley,   he   was   imbued   with the Tractarian revival and the Arts and Crafts movement.  Although   he   was   the   architect,   Saint   Matthew's   is   lighter   and   more   graceful than   his   other   works   and   it   has   been   speculated   that   Hicks   had   a   hand   even   in   the   first   phase   of design.      Johnson   died   before   the   next   phase   could   begin   and   Hicks   took   over   the   project   at   this point.  The   first   phase   of   the   present   building   -   the   Chancel   and   the   Nave   as   far   as   a   line   marked   roughly   by the   westerly-most   pews   was   consecrated   in   1880.      Money   was   the   principal   barrier   to   immediate completion   of   the   project;   but   by   1895,   the   West   end   and   the   tower   were   built.        The   original   plan   had   been   to   locate   the   tower   at   the   Southwest   corner   of   the building,   but   this   was   changed   prior   to   work   starting   on   the   second   phase   of construction;   however,   there   is   a   remnant   of   this   initial   intention   in   the   staircase to the tower adjacent to the South door.  The   third   phase   of   work   –   the   other   asisles-   was   finished   in   1905;   and   the   Hall complex,    which    includes    the    sacristies    (It    was    originally    envisaged    that    the sacristies   would   be   located   in   a   crypt   type   area   below   the   Northeast   corner   of   the church.      The   rooms   exist,   but   are   not   now   used   for   those   purposes)   and   a   staircase joining the Hall to the Church in 1907.

W S Hicks

The building under construction in 1891

The building under construction in 1903

The Building - An overview

In   saying   that   Saint   Matthew's   draws   its   inspiration   from   the   Gothic   Revival,   we   should   think Butterfield   rather   than   Pugin.      The   Church   is   open   and   light;   the   chancel   sits   behind   a   low   wall permitting   easy   sight   of   the   High   Altar.      The   arcade   of   arches   in   the   Nave   continues   into   the Chancel,   uniting   the   two   spaces,   the   only   distinction   being   modest decoration   of   the   capitols   of   the   pillars   in   the   Chancel   (see   picture to the right). The   church   was   unashamedly   designed   for   the   celebration   of   the Liturgy.      Views   of   the   High   Altar   dominate   the   building;   and   the wide   aisles   facilitate   processions   and   easy   movement   around   the building.  Early   designs   show   a   much   greater   number   of   pews;   but   in   the end   the   present   more   restrained provision    was    chosen    leaving    a much     less     cluttered     and     more spacious   feel   as   well   as   permitting the   establishment   of   a   number   of subsidiary       altars       with       their chapels. The   site,   however,   did   not   make the   design   easy.      It   is   an   almost square   plot   (92'   x   88'),   sitting   on a   slope.      It   is   for   this   reason   that there     are     steps     at     whichever entrance    you    use.        The    central part     of     the     church     sits     on     a concrete    raft,    which    provides    a flat     foundation     for     the     inner arcades   of   arches.      The   cascading aisle     roof     levels     disguise     the square   shape   of   the   building,   which   would   otherwise   compromise the   desired   West-East   thrust.      The   windows   in   the   North   aisle   are clear, because of their proximity to the adjacent building.

Streamed service

The Building - The Sacrament Chapel

Entering   the   church   through   the   West   door,   you   immediately   encounter   views   of   the   Sacrament   Chapel where   the   consecrated   elements   are   kept   in   the   Tabernacle   for   Communion   of   the   housebound   and private prayer.  Mass is said here during the week. This   Chapel   was   restored   in   2011.      At   that   time,   the Triptych   behind   the   Altar   was   installed   Painted   by   the Romanian   Icon   Artist,   Cristi   Paslaru,   the   central   panel depicts   the   Meal   at   Emmaus   at   which   according   to   the account   (Luke   24:   13   -   35),   Cleopas   and   his   companion recognised   Jesus   in   the   Breaking   of   Bread.      This   image sits    behind    the    Tabernacle and   draws   attention   to   the Presence    of    Christ    in    the consecrated elements.  The   two   doors   of   the   Triptych   depict   the   Archangel   Michael   on   the   left   and the Archangel Gabriel on the right. During Lent, a season of austere simplicity, the doors are closed. T he    picture   hanging   on   the   North   wall   is    a   detail   from   the   Sistine   Madonna   by   Raphael   (1483   -   1520)   finished   a   few   years   before   his   death   (probably around   1513/14).      The   original   hangs   in   the   Gemäldegalerie   Alte   Meister, Germany.

Streamed service

      The Building - The Northeast Corner

Behind   the   Sacrament   Chapel   is   a   staircase   leading   to   the   Crypt.      This is    not    actually    a    crypt,    but    merely    a    downstairs    room    leading    to    a passageway under the North Aisle.  The   rather   more   grand   than   functional   design   of   the   staircase   hints   at the   former   use   of   this   downstairs   room   as   the   sacristy   for   the   church.     It   would   have   been   a   very   spacious   facility,   but   shared   by   servers,   choir and   clergy.      A   passageway   along   the   North   side   of   the   church   leads,   via a set of steps to a door into this lower level. When    the    Hall    was    completed,    the    sacristies    were established    on    the    same    level    as    the    Nave    at    the Southeast   corner   of   the   church.      The   Crypt   presently houses   the   heating   system,   the   organ   blower   and   the inevitable clutter of a parish church. The   western   face   of   the   Organ   is   also   a   War   Memorial   to those   who   fell   in   the   Great   War   (1914   -   1918).      This   lists only    the    names    of    those    who    had    lived    in    Saint Matthew's    Parish.        In    2019    another    memorial    was installed    next    to    the    South    door.        On    Remembrance Sunday,   we   also   include   in   our   prayers   at   the   High   Mass of    Requiem     those    from    the    parishes    of    Saint    Philip, Saint Augustine, Saint Mary the Virgin and Saint Paul. On   Remembrance   Sunday,   we   sing   a   Mass   of   Requiem for those who fell in the World Wars. The Organ An   Organ   has   always   stood   in   the   Northeast   corner   of   the   church.      The   console   used   to   stand separately   between   the   choir-stalls   and   the   pulpit.      The   present   instrument   was   purchased   in   the 1980s   from   a   church   in   Cheshire   that   was   slowly   sinking   into   a   salt   mine.      It   was   built   by   Nigel Church, Organ Builders, and the console was moved to its present position.

The Building - The Chancel

Around   from   the   organ   we   find   the   Chancel   raised   and surrounded    by    a    low    wall.        The    word    "Chancel" derives   from   the   Latin   word   "to   sing".      It   is   the   area where   the   choir   sits.      The   choir   includes   both   singers and   also   clergy   who   do   not   have   ministerial   roles   in   a Liturgy - "the choir clergy". Fifth   century   churches   often   had   similar   low   walls.      As the   years   passed,   the   walls   became   higher   until   they evolved   into   the   Medieval   Chancel   Screen.      The   wall   at Saint Matthew's is decorated with symbols of the Passion (Suffering) and Crucifixion of Christ. In   front   of   the   Chancel   Gates,   is   the   Lectern   from   which   the   Bible   is   read   at Mass    and    some    other    services.        Whilst    the    Lectern    is    of    a    common ecclesiastical    design,    its    dimensions    are    larger    than    in    many    churches, reflecting the spaciousness of S Matthew's The   wall   bounding   the   Western   boundary,   the   gates   and   the   pulpit were   introduced   in   memory   of   Father   Oliver   Churchyard,   the   second Vicar.      The   floor   of   Frosterley   surrounding   the   brass   is   the   memorial of   Father   Robert   Daunt,   the   first   Vicar,   who   put   the   project   of   Saint Matthew's in hand. The   choir   stalls   are   arranged   in   collegiate   fashion   with   the   Vicar's stall    in    a    return    stall    under    the    Easterly    Chancel    wall.        Stated charitably,   the   choir   stalls   are   unremarkable   and   may   bear   testament to the shortage of funds.

The Building - The Sanctuary

The   Sanctuary   is   set   on   a   level   above   the   Chancel   and   divided   by a   fine   pair   of   oak   rails.      The   floor   and   the   three   steps   that   rise   to the Altar are set with more Frosterley Marble. Behind   the   High   Altar   sits   a   stone   carved   reredos   which   was   the gift   of   Johnson's   family   and   colleagues.      It   follows   his   design found    after    his    death    and    is    reminiscent    of    the    one    in    the Cathedral. It   slightly   obscures   part of        the        great        East Window                     which fenestrates    most    of    the upper    half    of    the    East Wall.      The   window   is   by the     studio     of     Charles Eamer    Kempe    (1837    - 1907)   and   depicts   in   the left   half   a   Jesse   Tree    and in the right half an Arbor Vitae . The   walls   of   the   Sanctuary   are   clad   in   carved   stone   pierced by   a   stone   credence   table   the   sedilia   on   the   South   side.         The   priest   and   his   assistants   sit   at   the sedilia for various liturgies. On   the   North   side,   the   large   wooden   doors   open   onto a   chest   for   Altar.         Above   this   are   three   cupboards   for storing   items   associated   with   the   Liturgy   (in   the   past this     would     have     included     the     church     plate,     but nothing of material value is kept in them now). There   is   an   austere   beauty   to   the   Sanctuary,   broken   a little   by   the   colour   of   the   Altar   frontal.      However,   the area   comes   alive   as   the   Liturgy   is   celebrated   at   the Altar   .      The   principal   Altar   is   usually   called   “The   High Altar”    and    is    used    on    Sundays    and    major    feasts    at solemn celebrations of the Mass and other rites.

The Building - The Lady Chapel

Moving    round    from    the    Chancel,    we    encounter    the    Lady Chapel;   the   lady   in   question   being   Mary,   the   mother   of   Jesus -   often   known   as   "Our   Lady.".      Mass    is   said   here   on   some weekdays.        The    Altar    sits    in front      of      a      riddel      curtain brought     to     Saint     Matthew's from    Saint    Mary's    Rye    Hill.      Hidden,      mercifully,      by      the curtain    are    some    cupboards, but     above     them     and     visible from     the     chapel     is     another Kempe    window    depicting:    (in the   main   panels)   Saint   Agnes, Our   Lady,   Saint   Michael;   and   (in   the   small   panels   at   the   base)   The Annunciation, The Nativity, The Visit of the Magi. The    Altar    furniture    was    designed    by    Canon    David    Hinge    and executed by Arthur Barnaby. At   the   entrance   to   the   chapel,   on   the   pillar   is the Shrine of our Lady. Hanging   on   the   wall   is   a   picture,   which   is   a copy   of   The   Adoration   of   the   Shepherds    by   the Dutch     artist     Gerrit     van     Honthorst     (1590- 1656).      The   original   hangs   in   the   Galleria   degli Uffizi, Florence.

The Building - The South Aisle

The   sacristy   door   is   just   round   from   the   Lady   Chapel   and   it   becomes   clear   why   the   arrangement   of pews   was   cut   back   in   this   area.      Next   to   the   Sacristy   door   is   another   Kempe   window   depicting:   our Lady and Saint Joseph. There are two more Kempe windows in the South wall.  The small windows in the clerestory are by Messrs Bagguley & Son. Half   way   down   the   South   Aisle   we   find   Saint   Augustine's   Chapel, which   was   established   in   2011.      The   Altar   and   the   statue   of   our Lady  came from S Philip's.  Mass is said here during the week.

The Mass/Eucharist

For   I   received   from   the   Lord   what   I   also   delivered   to   you,   that   the   Lord   Jesus   on   the   night   when   he was   betrayed   took   bread,   and   when   he   had   given   thanks,   he   broke   it,   and   said,   "This   is   my   body which   is   for   you.   Do   this   in   remembrance   of   me."      In   the   same   way   also   the   cup,   after   supper, saying,    "This    cup    is    the    new    covenant    in    my    blood.    Do    this,    as    often    as    you    drink    it,    in remembrance   of   me."      For   as   often   as   you   eat   this   bread   and   drink   the   cup,   you   proclaim   the   Lord's death until he comes. I Corinthians 11: 23ff

The    Mass    is    the    central    act    of    worship    of    the    Christian    Church.        Before    He    died,    Jesus commanded   His   followers   to   continue   the   practice   of   a   shared   meal   with   the   blessing   of   bread and   a   cup   of   wine   in   thanksgiving   for   all   God's   blessings.      After   the   Resurrection,   Christians   were aware   that   in   the   celebration   of   the   Eucharist   (as   they   called   the   Mass),   Christ's   presence   was particularly   intense,   especially   in   the   elements   of   bread   and   wine   (which   Jesus   had   identified with   His   Body   and   Blood),   in   the   reading   of   Holy   Scripture   and   in   the   gathering   itself.      The   Mass is the greatest of the seven Sacraments of the Church. At   Saint   Matthew’s,   the   Mass   takes   one   of   a number of forms: The    High    Mass ,     which     is     celebrated     on Sundays    and    principal    festivals.        This    is    the fullest     form     of     the     Mass     with     developed ceremonial and predominantly sung. The    Sung    Mass,     which    is    celebrated    on festivals   of   a   rank   just   below   principal   days.      It is    a    slightly    simplified    version    of    the    High Mass.        Usually,    the    congregation    sits    in    the Chancel. The   Low   Mass ,   which   is   celebrated   on   the days,   which   are   not   important   festivals.      It   is   a   short   and   simple   form   of   the   Mass   with   no   singing.     It is usually celebrated at one of the side Altars. The   Requiem   Mass.       This   can   be   sung   or   said   and   is   used   when   we   are   praying   for   people   who have died.  Anyone can ask for a Requiem Mass to be celebrated. We   are   always   happy   to   welcome   people   to   our   celebrations   of   the   Mass.      Some   people   might   be present   in   spite   of   being   unsure   about   the   Faith.      If   you   wish   to   join   us   to   think   your   own thoughts,   we   welcome   you   in   the   same   way.      Anyone   who   is   a   communicant   and   in   good   standing with their own church is welcome to receive Communion at Mass.

Baptism/Christening

Baptism   (often   called   “ Christ ening”,   because   in   Baptism we   are   made   people   of   Jesus   Christ )   is   the   rite   (=a   mixture of   words   and   ceremonies)   by   which   a   person   is   made   a member    of    the    Church.        Put    simply,    in    response    to    a commitment   of   faith   the   candidate   is   washed   with   water   as a   sign   that   the   old   life   of   unbelief   is   washed   away.      Baptism is   one   of   the   seven   Sacraments   of   the   Church,   which   means that Christians believe it to be a serious undertaking. Anyone    who    lives    in    the    parishes    connected    with    Saint Matthew’s     or     has     an     established     connexion     with     the parishes   can   be   baptized   here.      Baptism   is   administered   in response    to    a    declaration    of    faith    and    an    intention    to reform   your   life.      For   babies   and   infants,   this   declaration   is made   by   the   parents   and   godparents.      For   adults,   Baptism is   often   administered   by   the   Bishop   in   conjunction   with Confirmation,   which   completes   the   rite;   babies   and   infants are   baptized   on   the   understanding   that   they   will   be   brought for Confirmation when they are old enough.  Babies   and   infants   who   are   baptized   need   three   godparents,   who   should   themselves   have   been baptized. Baptism   is   usually   administered   at   12.15pm   on   a   Sunday:   though   it   can   sometimes   take   place   at the   High   Mass.      If   you   would   like   to   be   baptized   or   arrange   a   Baptism   for   your   child,   please   contact the Vicar before making any other arrangements.

Jesus   came   and   said   to   the   disciples,   "All   authority   in   heaven   and   on   earth   has   been   given   to   me.     Go   therefore   and   make   disciples   of   all   nations,   baptizing   them   in   the   name   of   the   Father   and   of the   Son   and   of   the   Holy   Spirit,   teaching   them   to   observe   all   that   I   have   commanded   you;   and   lo,   I am with you always, to the close of the age." Matthew 28: 18 - 20