John Cumberlege was a clergyman who retired to Tilsworth Lodge, in the new area of Silverhill. When he saw the need of a church to be built, he gave both the land adjoining his house and the funds needed to build the original St Matthews Church on it. He also became its first minister. Later his widow was to give nearly a third of the cost of the present St Matthews Church (and its pulpit).

The original church was built in 1860 on the site of the present Church Centre. As Silverhill quickly grew, a new larger church was needed. This was built in 1885, at a cost of £11,134 1s 10d! It took just 2 ½ years from the decision to open a fund for a new church, to the completion of the building. The architect was John Loughborough Pearson, who designed Truro and Brisbane Cathedrals, as well as other churches in Sussex.

The building is a fine example of late Victorian church architecture, built of red brick and Bath stone. The roof, made of Oregon pine, is a grand testimony to the Victorian carpenter’s art. The entrance porch was added in 1896 and was designed to support a tower 200 feet high! To this end it is supported by six buttresses and the brickwork was carried down eight feet below round. The tower plan was finally abandoned in 1931 as the cost was prohibitive!

At the south-east corner of the church is the Askwith Chapel, named after Canon Charles Askwith, who was Rector from 1910-1941. Over the entrance to the chapel is a window depicting the Apostle Matthew. Apparently the face of this Matthew was originally far more rugged and uncouth, but was changed after people complained!

The church organ is a “Father Willis” of 1890 and a good example of his work. It has a very attractive range of stops.