26 Nov 2025, 14:47Leicester St Matthew’s Communication Team
Leicester St Matthew's Celebrate 25 Years!
On 6th September 2025, Leicester St Matthew’s Church celebrated its 25th anniversary. What began in 2000 as a Sabbath School group was originally intended to be a three-month Bible study project in the community. Their aim was to share the gospel of Jesus with the people living on the second poorest estate in the country. Three months soon became six, then six became a year. St Matthew’s kept growing - bringing the Bible to life, and loving their neighbours as themselves.
Local residents became familiar faces, and as the church expanded, they moved from the Neighbourhood Centre, to the Tenants Association, and eventually to Taylor Road School, building lifelong connections along the way. The church continued to grow, welcoming visitors from Birmingham to Barbados.
As the years passed, St Matthew’s Community Fellowship remained steadfast. In recent years they formed a partnership with The Bridge, a charity dedicated to feeding homeless individuals who come to their doors. Out of this partnership, initiatives such as “Bags of Hope” were created, where young people delivered care packages to those in the city centre. Each week a dedicated team volunteered early on Sabbath morning to help serve breakfast before returning a few hours later for church.
While based on the estate, St Matthew’s also built a strong relationship with the charity The Big Local. Each year they participated in the neighbourhood fair, hosting a health expo tent. Doctors, nurses, and volunteers from St Matthew’s and Leicester Central spent the day taking blood pressures, BMIs, and providing essential health information that many in the community might not otherwise access. Each year, familiar faces returned with encouraging testimonies - and a determination to have another go on the famous smoothie bike.
During the pandemic, St Matthew’s became one of the first churches to move online, welcoming hundreds of people to virtual services. They showcased their children’s digital talents and even hosted an international choir. Today, St Matthew’s finds itself worshipping at Christ Church in Thurnby Lodge, where they continue to take part in local initiatives and minister to the surrounding community.
At their 25th anniversary celebration, St Matthew’s welcomed back many old faces, greeted a few new ones, and remembered those they have lost along the way. Tears were shed, laughter was shared, and even a few solos were sung by the pastors. In true St Matthew’s style, the day wouldn’t have been complete without some friendly competition and classic Bible games.
The members of St Matthew’s Church want to thank all who have supported them on their journey thus far. They add: We are indebted to the many organisations we have been connected to, in addition to The Bridge: the Neighbourhood Centre, Taylor Road School, the Tenants Association, The Big Local, and St Matthew’s House. We are also grateful to our current hosts from the Leicester Anglican Diocese. God bless your work and ministry.
It has been a bumpy but joyous journey for the smallest church in Leicester, and by the grace of God they continue to persevere through whatever challenges life brings.
Here’s to another 25 years!
On 6th September 2025, Leicester St Matthew’s Church celebrated its 25th anniversary. What began in 2000 as a Sabbath School group was originally intended to be a three-month Bible study project in the community. Their aim was to share the gospel of Jesus with the people living on the second poorest estate in the country. Three months soon became six, then six became a year. St Matthew’s kept growing - bringing the Bible to life, and loving their neighbours as themselves.
Local residents became familiar faces, and as the church expanded, they moved from the Neighbourhood Centre, to the Tenants Association, and eventually to Taylor Road School, building lifelong connections along the way. The church continued to grow, welcoming visitors from Birmingham to Barbados.
As the years passed, St Matthew’s Community Fellowship remained steadfast. In recent years they formed a partnership with The Bridge, a charity dedicated to feeding homeless individuals who come to their doors. Out of this partnership, initiatives such as “Bags of Hope” were created, where young people delivered care packages to those in the city centre. Each week a dedicated team volunteered early on Sabbath morning to help serve breakfast before returning a few hours later for church.
While based on the estate, St Matthew’s also built a strong relationship with the charity The Big Local. Each year they participated in the neighbourhood fair, hosting a health expo tent. Doctors, nurses, and volunteers from St Matthew’s and Leicester Central spent the day taking blood pressures, BMIs, and providing essential health information that many in the community might not otherwise access. Each year, familiar faces returned with encouraging testimonies - and a determination to have another go on the famous smoothie bike.
During the pandemic, St Matthew’s became one of the first churches to move online, welcoming hundreds of people to virtual services. They showcased their children’s digital talents and even hosted an international choir. Today, St Matthew’s finds itself worshipping at Christ Church in Thurnby Lodge, where they continue to take part in local initiatives and minister to the surrounding community.
At their 25th anniversary celebration, St Matthew’s welcomed back many old faces, greeted a few new ones, and remembered those they have lost along the way. Tears were shed, laughter was shared, and even a few solos were sung by the pastors. In true St Matthew’s style, the day wouldn’t have been complete without some friendly competition and classic Bible games.
The members of St Matthew’s Church want to thank all who have supported them on their journey thus far. They add: We are indebted to the many organisations we have been connected to, in addition to The Bridge: the Neighbourhood Centre, Taylor Road School, the Tenants Association, The Big Local, and St Matthew’s House. We are also grateful to our current hosts from the Leicester Anglican Diocese. God bless your work and ministry.
It has been a bumpy but joyous journey for the smallest church in Leicester, and by the grace of God they continue to persevere through whatever challenges life brings.
Here’s to another 25 years!
