It was built by John Cockerill of Wolverhampton and comprised a clerestoried nave with aisles, and a chancel.

There was a bell turret on the west gable, and north and south porches in the westernmost bay but one, and a sacristy projecting at right angles from the church.

[2] It was demolished in 1964 and the new church was designed by Peter Brownhill and built in East Park Way.

Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, who later became the bishop of Dover, served as Curate to St. Matthew's parish in the early to mid 1990's immediately after her ordination training.

The first church had a pipe organ by Nicholson and Lord.