St Matthew’s, Midgham.
The Church on the Hill.
Known as “The Church on the Hill”, St Matthew’s, Midgham proudly looks down towards the A4, the main railway line and the Kennet & Avon Canal. It is something of a trek up a narrow road (School Hill), but well worth a visit.
Unusually in the day and age, the church was open, so it was possible to take a look inside. Built in 1869 by Benjamen Buck Greene, it replaced an earlier chapel in Midgham Park, where services had taken place since 1622.
Part of the Aldermaston group of churches, (see previous photo of St Mary the Virgin, Aldermaston). Although Midgham itself is quite small, the church is fairly active. Services are held every Sunday, with other events going on in the week.
The organ is understood to date back to around 1820. Acquired second-hand, it was enlarged by the addition of pedals when it was installed. It has also been further extended subsequently. It was relocated within the church in the 1960s, and restoration work started in 2009.
This shot of St Matthew’s, Midgham, was taken towards the end of the day. A heavy shower had just passed across, and the sky was clearing from the west. The sun was just beginning to set, casting a warm light through the long shadows.
As usual, the churchyard was crowded with trees and gravestones. I therefore opted for the wide angle, so I could get closer to the church. This enabled me to position myself so that my own shadow was not included, and I could get the tall memorial stone away from the church. The angle also increases the prominence of the church in the shot, whilst allowing the lead in from the pathway, as well as including a significant amount of the sky.
A nice image of St Matthew’s, Midgham, which catches something of the dramatic weather.
Photograph Details
- Taken: 4 Mar 2017
- Camera: Canon 5D MkIII
- Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm 1:4 L IS II USM
- Focal Length 16mml
- F/5.6
- 1/80 Sec
- ISO 100