Matching is an early medieval settlement whose name derives from the Saxon people of ‘Moecca’ (Match) that settled in an area of open pasture, denoted by the suffix ‘Ing’. This was probably about 700AD when the Saxons conquered and colonised most of England.
By the time of the Domesday survey (1086) there were many manors in the parish, including Matching Hall which is situated in Matching. Although Matching Hall was known to exist in 1086, the current manor house dates to the 15th century. However, part of the original medieval moat surrounding the property still survives to the north and west of the manor house. The earliest recorded owner of Matching Hall was Edmund, son of Algot in 1086. At this time, the Matching Hall Manor was relatively poor with declining numbers of stock. The property was later passed to Richard de Montfichet, Lord of Stansted Mountfichet and was subsequently passed down his family line until the 13th century. Since then it has changed family ownership a number of times and the manor house was completely rebuilt in the 15th century.
The current church of St Mary’s was built in the 13th century, but a church probably existed on this site as early as 1150 when a dean of Matching was first recorded. Vicars are recorded in Matching from 1274 onwards. Between 1433 and 1553 there were at least 15 vicars, of whom 12 left by resignation, perhaps due to Matching’s isolated location. The current vicarage dates to the early 17th century.
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is Grade II* listed architecturally – there is no mention of it in the Domesday Book but the Norman church was probably built on an old Saxon site. The tower was added in the 15th century. It is plain, square and embattled and surmounted by a low tiled spire and weather clock. It retains its original 13th century doorway.
Six bells are in the tower, restored in 1990. It is inscribed "God Save the Queen". The second and third bells were originally cast about 1500 by William Culverden of Houndsditch, and inscribed "Sancte Thoma ora pro nobis" and "Sancta Anna ora pro nobis"; the fourth is inscribed "God Save the King. 1615" and the fifth "God Save the King. 1640" They were both made by Robert Oldfield of Hertford. A sixth bell was added in 1887 to celebrate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
The clock on the church tower was removed from the old church at Epping when the church was pulled down, and set up in Matching in memory of Henry Selwin-Ibbetson, 1st Baron Rookwood of Down Hall.
On the south wall the first window commemorates the restoration of the church by Lord and Lady Rookwood. The other stained window on the south wall is dedicated by parishioners and friends to the memory of Lord Rookwood who died on 15 January 1902. The east window, which commemorates Edan, Lady Rookwood, are by Powell of Whitefriars.
St Mary's organ is a rare Bevington with pipe work over the console. A brass plaque commemorates the erection of the organ by Mrs Calverley of Down Hall in memory of her brother, Sir Frederick Henniker, of the 60th Rifles, who died on 19 August 1908.
St Mary’s Church is built of flint rubble stone with decorative cut-stone dressings.
Marriage Feast Room
The Marriage Feast Room was built in the late 15th century at the instigation of a benevolent local resident named William Chimney, for poor people of the parish to use for their wedding festivities. It is apparently the only building of its kind left in Essex. By the 18th century, it was being used as an almshouse for poor relief.
There is very little street furniture in the conservation area which suits the rural character of the hamlet. In particular, the traditional red castiron letterbox beside the Marriage Feast Room makes a positive contribution to the character of the conservation area. This letterbox features the ‘ER’ cipher which indicates that it was installed during the reign of King Edward VII (1841- 1910).