St Matthew's Church, Haslington

St Matthew’s stands in the quiet village of Haslington, Cheshire, a Grade II listed building that serves an active Anglican parish. The church has two main parts: the west section built in 1810 and the east end added in 1909 to designs by Reginald T. Longden. Its brown brick walls and slate roof give it a solid, dignified look. A gabled porch shelters the west entrance, topped by a clock and a small timber bell turret. Inside, the nave has three bays and the chancel opens beyond, lit by tall semicircular windows. The interior shows careful craftsmanship. An oak reredos with a grapevine frieze runs behind the altar, and a Gothic-style communion rail stands in front. The nave walls are panelled to dado height, and the organ, built in 1900, was rebuilt in 1967. A lunette window above the door and a seven-light east window add light and pattern to the space. The flat ceiling keeps the proportions calm and clear. Outside, the churchyard holds seven war graves from the two world wars. Among them lies Train driver Wally Oakes, awarded the George Cross after his death for saving passengers. The graves sit among the graves of local people, linking the church to the village’s past. The quiet paths and mature trees frame the building, making it a place to stand and remember.