The first service for St. Matthew's
was held on June 23, 1957 in a classroom at the St. Martin's Episcopal
School in Metairie. Thirty-two People joined the church that day.
The church was formally organized on August 11, 1957 with 126 members.
The congregation moved to the Airline Park Elementary School in September.
On March 13, 1858, the Methodist Church purchased property and a parsonage
on Airline Park.
On September 15, 1958, the congregation
moved into its new church at the corner of Sandra and Camphor Streets.
The membership had increased to 249. The next year, two wings of
classrooms and the patio were extended. The Day School began that
year (1959), with 42 students.
In 1962, a new Baldwin organ
was obtained, a new educational building was constructed, and the sanctuary
was enlarged. Membership had soared to 1066. A pre-school wing
was added in 1963 and a youth building in 1964.
By 1969, membership had risen
to over 1600. St. Matthew's was then the largest church in the New
Orleans District.
On January 24, 1982, a Service
of Consecration was held for the new sanctuary, built next to the old one.
In 1993-94, the board adopted
a long range plan for the mission of the church. At the end of 1994,
an endowment fund was established to ensure the long-term financial stability
of the church.
Source: "A Brief History of St. Matthew's United Methodist
Church" |
