Church

020 7222 3704
office@stmw.org

School

020 7504 0500  |  website
office@stmwschool.org.uk

Conference Centre

020 7222 6535  |  website
enver@stmwvenue.co.uk

Lent at St Matthew's Westminster

Rather than being seen as a forty day endurance test, or a bleak and restricted time, Lent is described in the Mass as a ‘joyful season’.  It is a time of rediscovery, a golden chance to open ourselves more deeply to the beauty and power of the dying and rising to new life in Jesus.  It is a time to ponder the reality of the death and resurrection and to allow it to soak into our deepest parts.

​Lent is the time for new life and hope.  In the Lenten season, self-examination is crucial.  An individual’s response to the​​call for purposeful reflection on one’s need for God is an important factor in
choosing how one will observe Lent. Through the centuries, Lent became characterised by practices which typify the meaning of this season. 

Our series of sermons exploring faith in the wilderness is 'Dancing in the desert'.

Please join us in Lent for our regular services, and if you cannot be with us, we will be sending weekly podcasts by email. If you are not already on the list, please sign up.

​Fr Philip Chester
More services and events

How to find us

St Matthew's House
20 Great Peter Street
Westminster 
London  SW1P 2BU
+44 20 7222 3704
office@stmw.org
Other
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  History

Lent 2: Missa Aeterna Christi Munera
The choir of St Matthew's Westminster sings Kyrie from Missa Aeterna Christi Munera by Palestrina (1525–1594). The Director of Music is Nigel Groome.

Lent 1: Litany to the Holy Spirit
The choir of St Matthew's Westminster sings Litany to the Holy Spirit by Peter Hurford.

Christ came as a light shining in the darkness
​Sans Day Carol
On Christmas Day, the choir of St Matthew's Westminster sings the Sans Day Carol, arranged by John Rutter.

Fourth Sunday of Advent
​Magnificat (Collegium Regale)
On the fourth Sunday of Advent, the choir of St Matthew's Westminster sings Herbert Howells' Magnificat (Collegium Regale).

Third Sunday of Advent
​This is the record of John 
On the third Sunday of Advent, the choir of St Matthew's Westminster sings "This is the record of John" by Orlando Gibbons. 

Second Sunday of Advent
​Creator of the Skies 
On the first Sunday of Advent, the choir of St Matthew's Westminster sings 'Creator of the Skies' by Malcolm Archer.

First Sunday of Advent
​Creator of the Skies 
On the first Sunday of Advent, the choir of St Matthew's Westminster sings 'Creator of the Skies' by Malcolm Archer.

Christ the King
​Let all the world 
On the Feast of Christ the King, the choir of St Matthew's Westminster sings 'Let all the world', arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Remembrance Sunday 2018
​For the Fallen by Nils Greenhow 
The composer is a member of the choir of St Matthew's Westminster. This is the first time the music has been recorded.

Patronal Festival 2018

Picture
On Friday 21st September we held our Patronal Festival. The preacher was Rev Richard Collins, Vicar of Christ the Saviour, Ealing.  <  Photos  >

Service of Confirmation

On Sunday 15th July we held a service of Confirmation, celebrated by Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion.  This was a very special day in the life of our community. 
​ <  Photos  >

Rev Jonathan Aitken, back at the Old Bailey

Picture© Toby York/St Matthew's Westminster
Jonathan Aitken was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Sarah on 30th June. Jonathan is based at St.Matthew’s, but will develop his distinct ministry in the Prison Service under Graham Tomlin, Bishop of Kensington, who is the lead bishop for Prisons in London.  < Photos >    < First Sermon as Deacon >

Podcast for Pentecost

Podcast for Annunication

Vigil & First Mass of Easter

We started our Easter celebration on Saturday evening. The Easter Vigil begins with the lighting of new fire and the lighting of the Easter Candle, which is then brought into the still dark church. Joy breaks out; we renew our baptismal promises, and share the new life of the first Easter communion.  

Advent podcasts

Our series of twice-weekly podcasts which was broadcast throughout Advent, can be seen here.

Thursday 21st September 2017
Patronal Festival

The preacher at the Solemn Mass to celebrate St Matthew's Day was the Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd David Walker, and there was a party afterwards at which we said farewell to our departing Pastoral Assistants, Isaiah Atwiine and Ryan Williams.  

Wednesday 21st June 2017
The First Mass of Fr Jamie Johnston

Following his ordination to the priesthood, Fr Jamie offered the Mass for the first time on 21st June 2017. This was a sung Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, and the preacher was the Dean of Canterbury, the Very Revd Robert Willis. 

Solemn Mass, Wednesday 10th May 2017
The Great Fire of Westminster

Photography: Barry Taylor
Forty years ago on 10th May 1977, the church was almost totally destroyed by fire, caused by arson. It was subsequently rebuilt on a smaller scale to a design by Donald Buttress and dedicated in 1984. To mark the anniversary we held a Solemn Mass with special music, followed by a reception.

Candlemas, 2nd February 2017
Capital says goodbye to Bishop of London

Members of St Matthew's Westminster joined thousands of other Londoners in St Paul's Cathedral to say farewell to the Bishop of London. Bishop Richard's valedictory sermon spoke of the need to tackle climate change, and embrace difference and diversity. 

#LondonIsOpen
London Boroughs Faiths Network (LBFN) is an active, informal network of people from local religious and intercultural groups promoting social inclusion, religious harmony and learning.

Forecourt development project

Picture
We have recently redeveloped the church forecourt to make it a more attractive space, to provide public seating and to enhance the prominence and significance of the church’s main entrance, giving it a more vibrant and visible frontage.
< Detailed Plans: 5.3MB PDF > 

The Anglican Rosary: praying with beads

Picture
Praying with beads is a very simple way of finding a rhythm and creating space for personal prayer wherever you are.  The Anglican rosary is inspired by the traditional rosary but is more flexible and adaptable to the seasons of the Church’s calendar. 
< Prayers >              < shop >

Conference Centre

Picture
Our conference centre is an attractive venue for meetings, exhibitions and receptions. Trevelyan Hall can comfortably accommodate around 60 people and the Atlay Room is suitable for up to 12 people. Call 020 7222 6535 or email Enver for details.
< Website >
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How we use personal data

When you share your personal data with us, we treat it with care and take our responsibility to protect it seriously. We've updated our privacy notice to communicate better how we handle your personal data. We’ve made changes so that it’s:
  • clear, easy to read and simple to understand
  • open about how we collect, store, use and secure personal data
  • in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
If you’d like to know more, please see the new privacy notice.

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Safeguarding at St Matthew's

St Matthew’s is committed to protect and care for everyone with whom it has contact as part of its ministry, and especially for children, young people and adults at risk.
* Safeguarding Policy Statement  
* Parish safeguarding procedures.
* Diocese of London Policy for Safeguarding

Services and events

Solemn Eucharist is at 11am on Sundays (free parking). The church is open every day for prayer and Mass. All services and events

Calendar

Sunday 24th March
Lent 3
8am Holy Eucharist (1662)
11am Solemn Mass (Common Worship)

Monday 25th March
Annunciation of Our Lord
for our family and friends
8.45am Morning Prayer
12.30pm Holy Eucharist
5.45pm Evening Prayer

Tuesday 26th March
Harriet Monsell, Rel (1883)
for families that are struggling to cope
8.45am Morning Prayer
12.30pm Holy Eucharist
5.45pm Evening Prayer

Wednesday 27th March
Feria of Lent
for the Department of Education
8.45am Morning Prayer
12.30pm Holy Eucharist
1.05pm Recital by James Gough (Assistant Organist of St Martin in-the-Fields)
5.45pm Evening Prayer

Thursday 28th March
Feria of Lent
for the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
8.45am Morning Prayer
12.30pm Sung Mass
5.45pm Evening Prayer

Friday 29th March
Feria of Lent
for the Government and those in authority
8.45am Morning Prayer
12.30pm Holy Eucharist
5.45pm Evening Prayer

Saturday 30th March
Feria of Lent
for the Home Office

​Monday 1st April
Feria of Lent
for the unemployed
8.45am Morning Prayer
12.30pm Holy Eucharist
5.45pm Evening Prayer

Tuesday 2nd April
Feria of Lent
for the homeless
8.45am Morning Prayer
12.30pm Holy Eucharist
5.45pm Evening Prayer

Wednesday 3rd April
Feria of Lent
for those who work in the caring professions
8.45am Morning Prayer
12.30pm Sung Mass
1.05pm Recital by Marilyn Harper (Organist of Christ’s Chapel, Dulwich)
5.45pm Evening Prayer

Thursday 4th April
Feria of Lent
for the sick  
8.45am Morning Prayer
12.30pm Sung Mass
5.45pm Evening Prayer

Friday 5th April
Feria of Lent
for the staff of St Matthew’s School
8.45am Morning Prayer
12.30pm Holy Eucharist
5.45pm Evening Prayer

Saturday 6th April
Feria of Lent
for St Matthew’s Conference Centre

Sunday 7th April
Lent 5 | Passion Sunday
8am Holy Eucharist (1662)
11am Solemn Mass (Common Worship)

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