Their first service was held on August 1st in the Civic Building on 34th Street (then Rosslyn Road). In January 1944, the Charter Membership books were closed with 135 members registered. In 1946, Boy Scout Troop 283 was organized. In 1947, Garden Oaks Methodist moved from the Civic Building to the first unit of its own plant at 4300 North Shepherd Drive. The name Garden Oaks Methodist was changed
to St. Matthew's United Methodist in order to show our broader mission to the world. In 1949, The United Methodist Men's Club was chartered. In September 1953, they opened a new education unit and newly air-conditioned sanctuary. In 1956, a building committee was formed and they hired C. Johnson & Associates to build a new sanctuary. In November 1958, the new $260,000 sanctuary was opened for worship. In 1959, the St. Matthew's Garden Club was organized. In 1961, the Olivier Educational Building was added to the Church plant. In 1975, the Mother's Day Out program was organized. In 1979, the Young-at-Heart group (for ages 60+) was organized. In June, The first night of Vacation Church School was held along with Continuing Education courses for adults and youth. In 1980, the pipe organ was installed under the leadership of Organist Paul Jernigan. The church was declared free of debt. In September 1981, the church agreed to sponsor a Filipino congregation and share facilities. In 1982, the Food Pantry was established (Now moved to a different location). In 1986, the John Earle Barden Scholarship Fund was established. In 1987, an Antiphonal Organ was added in the balcony. In 1989, St. Matthew’s became sponsor of MANNA, an ecumenical ministry of Northwest Houston churches. In 1990, the Mother's Day Out program was expanded to include preschool and a full time director, Mary Bordelon, was hired. The Parent’s Night Out program was launched. In December 1991, the annual Birthday Party for Jesus was started. Pastors:
1943-1946 Eldon R. Koerner
1946-1950 Byron L. Lovelady
1950-1951 John Rentfro
1951-1954 James A. Chapman
1954-1961 Myers B. Curtis, Associate: H.W. Bahler
1961-1965 Emmitt Barrow
1965-1968 Eugene D. Bennett, Jr.
1968-1974 Charles Godbey
1974-1976 Louis Sada, Jr.
1976-1978 Lewis W. Nichols
1978-1981 Leslie P. LeGrand
1981-1983 Clifton M. Lamb
1983-1985 Earl S. Yokley
1985-1995 Donald L. Goodwin
1995-1999 Tom W. Crowe
1999-2005 Herb Stallknecht
2005-2007 Gail Harrelson
2007-2009 Charles Green
2009-2015 Frank Coats
2015-Present Virginia Wall
