On 21st September 1708 Bishop Wilson dedicated the new chapel of ease in Braddan Parish. The following is Bishop Wilson’s prayer on that occasion:
"And now, O God, we humbly beseech Thee, since Thy name is recorded in this place: let Thine eyes be open, and Thine ears attentive to the prayers that shall be made in it. May the inhabitants of this town never provoke Thee, by any wickedness, to withdraw Thy presence from this House, which we have dedicated to Thy honour; but may they, in all their necessities, have this place to flee unto, this House of Defence nigh at hand. May Thy Sabbaths be here remembered and devoutly kept; may Thy Sacraments be here administered and received with great devotion; may the youth be instructed and the aged put in mind of their duty, and all made living temples of the Holy Ghost! That Thou mayest bless us, and that we may in return honour Thee. "For Thou art worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power:for Thou hast created all things, and forThy pleasure they are and were created". Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men, for ever and ever, Amen."
In 2008 we celebrated, not only the tercentenary of "Old St. Matthew's", but also the centenary of the completion and consecration of the chancel of the new building, where the sacraments continue to be administered and received with great devotion.
Click here to view some photographs of our celebrations.
Click here for more excerpts from the archives.
Click here to read Fr.Hugh Selwyn Taggart's "The Story of St. Matthew's Church" from 1923.