Saint Matthew United Methodist Church has a rich and complex history spanning over a century, marked by various locations, name changes, splits, and mergers. However, after a fire in 1895, Missouri Avenue rebuilt at a different location, leaving behind vacant lots on Bessie Street, which led to the formation of Glenwood Methodist Episcopal Church, South in 1896. Glenwood thrived, moving to a new f
acility in 1925, but the Great Depression took its toll, resulting in the loss of their building. Forced to vacate, the congregation relocated to Ash Crescent Street in 1940, constructing a new chapel paid for by the members' efforts. In 1962, disagreements over a new location caused a split, leading to the formation of Eastern Hills Methodist Church. The remaining members renamed the church Saint Matthew in 1964. The 1966 Easter Sunday marked the first service in the present building, with Eastwood Methodist merging with Saint Matthew shortly after. Despite facing challenges, including membership decline in the 1970s, the church experienced a turnaround in 1982 and continued to grow steadily. In 1992, the building underwent significant renovations under architect Gregory Wyatt, transforming it into a visually striking structure reminiscent of English countryside churches. Today, Saint Matthew UMC is renowned for its vibrant worship, community outreach initiatives, and unwavering commitment to serving and growing as a church, attributing its success to the grace of Christ. While the physical building holds significance, the true spirit of worship and fellowship is attributed to the Holy Spirit, making Saint Matthew UMC a cherished place of worship and community.
