Land was purchased on Carver Street for £600 and the foundation stone for the church was laid on 1 June 1854 with the construction being carried out by Flockton & Son.

He converted St Matthew's into a focal point for teaching and practice of the Catholic Revival in the Church of England, he wrote his memoirs in the book Ommanney of Sheffield in the final years of his life.

St Matthews remained undamaged throughout World War II although there were casualties throughout the parish as many buildings were damaged in the immediate vicinity during the Sheffield Blitz of December 1940.

The parish of St Matthew's has a growing resident population (pop: 5,690),[4] and is a busy church serving a lively city centre.

It is now surrounded by the Devonshire Quarter of Sheffield, an area of independent retail outlets, pubs and bars with a large student population.

As it takes a traditionalist view on the ordination of women, the parish receives Alternative Episcopal Oversight from the Bishop of Beverley (currently The Rt Revd Stephen Race).

[6][failed verification] There is an octagonal tower with a tall spire on top at the front (west) end of the church which contains one bell, with the main entrance below on Carver Street.