History of St Matthew's
St Matthew's Church, Borstal is a simple, homely building of Kentish ragstone with a small tower containing a single bell. The present chancel and vestries were added some twenty years after the original building was opened.
The foundation stone was laid in 1878 and the first service was held in the new church in 1879. The foundation stone for the extension was laid in 1905.
Inside the design is simple - a nave boasting only a central aisle, with colour washed walls below a solidly constructed timber roof of the "upturned boat" variety. There is a stone font of conventional design.
One of the most striking features of the church is the intricately-carved wooden choir screen. The dominating motif is that of thorns and surmounting it is a fine crucifix. It also incorporates carvings of grapes and wheat symbolising the eucharist.
The solid and well-carved Communion Rail dates from Easter 1908. The Sanctuary paving is of marble mosaic. St Matthew's has become well-known for the story behind the seven Sanctuary Lamps. In 1912 one of the churchwardens, Donald Maxwell, visited Syria and made for Damascus. Here he found the "Street called Straight", where once stood the house to which Saul was taken after being blinded in his conversion experience on the Damascus Road. In this street, Donald Maxwell came upon the workshop of an old Arab brass-worker. He admired some lamps being fashioned by the old man so much that he ordered a set to take home to his own Parish Church, promising to call back for them at a later date. The intervention of World War I prevented this, and the Arab was pressed into service by the conquering Turks to make munitions for them.
Maxwell was back in the area in 1920 and, out of curiosity, again made his way to the "Street called Straight". To his astonishment the old Arab was still there and explained that despite everything the lamps had been made and buried throughout the war under the floor of his house. He was a Christian and, knowing the destination of the lamps, refused to take anything for them. They were brought home to Borstal and on the day of the Feast of St Paul were dedicated by the Bishop.
The lamps were originally lit by oil, but were later electrified due to the fire risk. Apart from the central lamp they appear to be in pairs, but in fact the hand-working of each one is different, and - perhaps unique in a Christian church - each incorporates in its design the Moslem Star and Crescent, but surmounted by the Christian cross.
In the mid 1990's plans were passed for another extension to the church and a fund was set up to raise the necessary money. In April 1999 we began raising money in earnest and the extension became popularly known as the 'Room with a Loo'. Some 15 months after beginning we had raised the £46000 necessary from fund-raising, donations and bequests. The Parish Room was finished in October 2000 and was dedicated by the Rt Revd. Dr. Michael Nazir-Ali, Bishop of Rochester on 1st April 2001.