Located at the NE margin of the former mining village of Rosewell, St Matthew's Roman Catholic Church is a most unusual building. Built of brick, like many of the other buildings in this village which was laid out by the Lothian Coal Company, it has a curiously arranged roof and is surrounded by extensive brick-built cloisters giving the impression of a monastery. The church was designed by Archibald MacPherson, built by local volunteers and completed in 1926. The cloisters were added by Reginald Fairlie in 1935.
Separated from the road by a wide border of roses, the compound is entered through a stylish archway, again in brick, and the church approached through a short tree-lined avenue.
Inside, the altars, rail and pulpit are all built of brick.
