St. Matthew's Church was designed by George Frederick Bodley (1827-1907), the renowned Victorian architect. He worked in the Gothic style, and largely confined himself to churches. The large separate tower and the stark interior with long internal lines are characteristic of his work.

He was the first pupil of George Gilbert Scott later establishing a partnership with another pupil of Scott's, Thomas Garner, which lasted for nearly three decades. He was a friend of the Pre-Raphaelites and William Morris and his own most important pupil was the Arts and Crafts designer C. R. Ashbee. Bodley's churches include among many others, St. Michael's in Brighton (1859-61) an early work, Holy Trinity Knightsbridge, and in Cambridge the chapel for Queen's College.

Abroad, his major work was Washington Cathedral. He was also responsible for a variety of church interior architecture - e.g. the nave and presbytery altar for York Minster.