St Matthias, Stoke Newington

Published 14 August 2025

This August, I’ve had the privilege of serving as the locum organist at the historic St Matthias Church in Stoke Newington, stepping in while their regular organist is away. Standing tall as one of London’s finest examples of Victorian Gothic architecture, St Matthias is equally renowned for its musical heritage and its remarkable four-manual pipe organ.

The original organ, built by Henry Willis in 1853, was installed under the direction of Dr. William Henry Monk, the church’s influential Director of Music. Over the years, the instrument has seen significant changes. It was expanded by A. Noterman in 1914, then completely rebuilt in 1952 after suffering severe damage during World War II. In 2009, the BIOS (British Institute of Organ Studies) recognised the organ with a Certificate of Recognition, highlighting its historical material and its association with W.H. Monk.

Appointed organist and choirmaster in 1852, William Henry Monk shaped the musical life of St Matthias for over 35 years until his death in 1889. Monk was a visionary, celebrated for introducing plainsong chants into Anglican worship, a rare practice in parish churches of that era. His impact on English hymnody is profound: Monk was the musical editor of Hymns Ancient and Modern (first published in 1861), a landmark hymnbook that defined Anglican worship tradition. It is amazing to think Abide with Me might have been written at that very console!

Regrettably, due to its current condition, the historic pipe organ is now unplayable. Services are currently accompanied by a digital organ kindly loaned by Allen. Nevertheless, St Matthias retains a vibrant musical tradition, making my time here musically rich. To play at St Matthias is to engage with a living tradition, sharing in the remarkable heritage and ongoing story of this extraordinary church.  

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