St Matthew’s re-opens on Ash Wednesday

Seven months on from its closure for extensive restoration and improvement, the beautiful, ancient church of St Matthew re-opened on Ash Wednesday. During this special penitential service ashes from the previous year’s palm crosses were drawn onto each person’s forehead, accompanied by the words ‘Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return’.

But the mood was also joyful as everyone gathered for worship and – for the first time – made use of the re-roofed church with its new disabled access, modern toilet facilities and comfortable hospitality area.