Building History and Features

 

Original Identity

The building was originally constructed as St. Matthias Episcopal Church. It served both as a parish church and as a chapel for the neighboring Brownell Hall.

Architecture

Designed with Gothic and Romanesque Revival elements, the structure features distinctive stonework, rounded arches, and a four-story bell tower.

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Stained Glass Windows

Notable stained glass manufactured by Cox & Sons of Buckley, England and imported to the United States for the church.

Historic Organ

The church features a pipe organ built in 1888 by Philipp Wirsching. It is believed to be the earliest unaltered Opus 15 model and underwent a major community-funded restoration starting in 2025.

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A Few Building Facts

• Consecrated in 1889, J.H.W. Hawkins, architect

• Rock-faced Oketo limestone walls laid in random ashlar

• Cruciform shape with appurtenances

• 2-story square tower with corbel table and rectangular and round-arched openings

• 1-story gabled entrance porch with Romanesque opening on southwest corner

• Triple round-arched window arrangement on north, west, and south

• Sections of dentil molding under eaves

• Botonee cross at apex of four salient gables

• Interior stained-oak hammerbeam ceiling and wain-scoting

• Notable stained glass manufactured by Cox & Sons of Buckley, England

• Original organ with stenciled pipes retained

• Romanesque and Gothic Revival elements

• Gabled entrance appended on south during 20th century