The Church of St Matthew (Iron Church), Padiham in the County of -- Lancashire --

	The Iron Church, Padiham

A fund for the new church at Rycliffe was inaugurated by a gift of £50 by the Rev S J C Adamson followed by an offering of £50 towards a temporary and a £100 towards a permanent one by the Rev William Thursby of Ormerod House Burnley.

In Aug 1870 it was decided to erect a temporary Iron Church for mission services, all seats to be free. The church was to be dedicated to St Matthew.

It was intended to purchase a building which had already been in use elsewhere, but sympathy and help shown decided this Committee to take steps for the erection of a New Iron Church of nearly twice the dimensions of the one first contemplated. The last act of the Committee was to order a church to be built by Kent of London to accommodate 200 persons besides this Choir. On Oct 11 the first choir was formed under the leadership of Mr Thos. Heap, Mr Alfred Heap and Mr Joseph Pollard as organist. The church was opened on Nov 23 1870 the preacher being Bishop Fraser of Manchester. The bell, specially cast and erected for the purpose was the gift of Mr F. Midgley.

St Matthews’s church fulfilled its purpose and attracted a good congregation. It was demolished during Rev F Wilkins vicariate (c1919) owing to the difficulties of maintaining the services through the diminishing staff. Its congregation was dispersed and many of them ceased their attendance at church.

There are no registers for this Church.

	St Matthew Day School