Facilities and features
Accessibility
We currently have toilets in our hall, just behind the church. These include disabled facilities. We are currently planning the inclusion of an accessible toilet at the back of the church.
Baby changing facilities are currently available in the accessible toilet in the church hall. Please use the bin provided for disposing of used nappies.
We do not have a bike rack but there are railings to which bicycles can be chained and locked.
There is a car parking area available behind the church. However, please note that we have neighbours living behind the church who must have access to their houses at all times so please park neatly and don't block the entrances. For normal services you can also park in front of the church but for weddings and funerals this area is needed for cars/hearses. Thank you for your co-operation. Parking is also available on Eastbury Road.
There is an accissible toilet in the church hall which is accessible via a slope.
The south door at the rear of the church is accessed via a built up slope which takes you into the Lady Chapel. From there there is a slope leading down into the main body of the church. Other entrances are via steps.
A hearing loop is available to people with a T-switch on their hearing aids.
Please ask a sidesperson (the people giving out the books when you come in) if you would like a large print version of the service or hymns.
Assistance dogs are very welcome.
We welcome dementia sufferers and do our best to make them feel at home.
When refreshments are available we have gluten free biscuits/cakes and dairy free milk.
Our Building
Our church is a Grade II listed building erected in 1880 by public subscription. Donors included Mr Blackwell (of Crosse & Blackwell fame) and Mr W H Smith (stationer).
Music and Worship
Unfortunately we are no longer able to ring our fine bells. However, they are connected to a set of chimes and are rung most Sunday mornings.
We occasionally host concerts in our church which has excellent acoustics. This is something we hope to increase after the completion of our refurbishment work.
Built in 1913 by Norman and Beard, well constructed with first class materials, the organ contains a certain amount of pipework taken from the earlier organ and is a good example of parish church organ building of the period. It contains over 800 pipes and the voicing is typical of the builder's workmanship which makes it more versatile than would otherwise appear at first glance.
In normal times, once a month we have a Holy Communion service at 8.00am using the Book of Common Prayer. However, at the moment this is on hold due partly to the pandemic and partly to the fact that we have no vicar at the moment. We hope they will resume later in 2021.
We have a very small choir at the moment and new members are always welcome. For more information contact Roger Tabor on 01923 242151
Groups, Courses and Activities
SMAYT (St Matthew's Amazing Youth Team) meets on Sunday mornings during the first part of the service. It is open to secondary school age children. The group discusses matters of faith and religion before joining the service. Most currently take communion (bread and wine) but a simple blessing is also available.
A Brownie Group meets in our Church hall but is not affiliated to the church.
In normal times we meet in the hall every Sunday morning after the service for coffee and a chat. We also have an afternoon service on the 1st Thursday of the month which is followed by afternoon tea.
On the third Thursday we host a Bookwap and Craft Club event where people can bring along their old books to swap for new ones.
You can also bring along your knitting or crochet to do or just join us for a social chat with tea/coffee and homemade cake.
Pilates and Yoga groups regularly meet in our church hall but are not affiliated to it. For details or course organisers please contact the Hall Manager (details below)
Our Messy Church is held in conjunction with Bushey and Oxhey Methodist Church but is currently on hold. See events for more details.
We have close ties with our local Scout/Cub group who meet in the Church and hall and attend Church Parade two or three times a year in normal times.
Help for Visitors
Guided tours are available by appointment. Please email [email protected] or call 01923 942084 to arrange a date.
These are available free of charge in church
Other Features
We are a Fair Trade church
We support Bushey Red Trust and have a collection box at the back of the church for donations of non-perishable food such as long life milk, rice, pasta, tinned tomatoes, tinned fruit ,tea, coffee, sugar, biscuits, long life milk, long life juice and cereal
We have a hearing loop and large-print books.
Our hall is available for hire for one-off events such as parties, funeral wakes, quizzes etc. You can also hire it for regular classes. For more information contact Chris and Janet on 01923 245755 or 07801 701840 or email [email protected].