tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD

History

Saint Matthew’s groundbreaking at 901 West Erie Street in Chandler, April 4, 1958. Pictured from left to right are an unknown acolyte and an unknown lay reader, Karen Bogel, Marty Humphrey, David Saba, Arthur Kinsolving (Bishop), an unknown acolyte, Albert Tibshraeny, Lem Courtwright, John Atwell (Vicar), Michael Tibshraeny )Acolyte), Jack Combs, Virginia Finley (Building Chair) and an unknown contractor.

The first structure at Saint Matthew’s present location was the tiny church building shown above. Constructed by parishioners and made of adobe block, it was known by the nickname “Rosie’s Cantina.” The cross to the left of the church is now located… — The first structure at Saint Matthew’s present location was the tiny church building shown above. Constructed by parishioners and made of adobe block, it was known by the nickname “Rosie’s Cantina.” The cross to the left of the church is now located at the north wall of the Memorial Garden. The cross above the church is not a cross at all, but rather a telephone pole behind the church.

By 1973 the mission had become self-supporting. That same year plans were drawn for the construction of a larger chapel located on the present chapel site. The building was consecrated by Bishop Joseph Harte in 1975.

The sanctuary following the first expansion. The stained glass shown above was later moved to the side of the chancel during the second sanctuary renovation.

The final expansion of the nave, 1986, both the east and west ends of the building were removed and the building was “stretched” to give the present seating capacity of 220.

The second education building, 1988, known as the Preschool Building, takes shape in the photo above. Looking east along what would become a covered walkway, the education building’s doors and windows are to the right.

2017 new sanctuary groundbreaking ceremony

View Our 2017 Groundbreaking

Bishop Smith consecrates the new sanctuary, 2018.

1920
- Jun 15, 2021 The congregation began its life as Ascension Mission at the local Chamber of Commerce.
1945
- Jun 15, 2021 After decades of struggle due to the Great Depression and WW2, Ascension Mission eventually closed. A complete history entitled “An Ascension in the Desert” may be found in the church office.
1955
- Jun 15, 2021 Rev. Francis M. Hamilton revives the sleeping mission in Chandler and on Saint Matthew’s Day held the first service of Holy Communion with the remnant group from Ascension.
1958
- Jun 15, 2021 April 4, 1958 - The congregation breaks ground at the present church site, nicknamed “Rosie’s Cantina.”
- Jun 15, 2021 From 1958 - 1975, seven vicars serve at Saint Matthew’s, a mission church, for no more than four years each.
1966
- Aug 8, 2021 A new parish hall, kitchen and nursery were constructed. Almost all of the construction was done by parishioners.
1973
- Aug 8, 2021 The mission became self-supporting. That same year plans were drawn for the construction of a larger Sanctuary located on the present chapel site.
1975
- Jun 15, 2021 Rev. Charles Howard Smith is named Vicar. He is the last vicar and first rector of Saint Matthew’s for a span of 22 years.
- Aug 8, 2021 Construction of the sanctuary with a seating for 120 was completed and consecrated by Bishiop Joseph Harte
1976
- Jun 15, 2021 The courtyard fountain is dedicated in memory of John Hoover. Jenny Morehouse is the first of many children to play in it following Sunday services.
1979
- Jun 15, 2021 The Dioscesan Convention esatblishes Saint Matthew’s as a parish
- Jun 15, 2021 June 16, 1979 - Bishop Heistand installs Charles Smith as the first “Rector”
1980
- Jun 15, 2021 The Parish Hall is constructed
1981
- Jun 15, 2021 The Chapel Organ is purchased
- Jun 15, 2021 The Rose Garden Bell is installed. The bell was a gift from Pauline Combs in memory of Jack Combs and had been on the Combs’ farm in Queen Creek.
1986
- Jun 15, 2021 Sanctuary expansion beings requiring both ends of the Nave to be knocked out. Expanding the seating capacity to 220.
1988
- Jun 15, 2021 The Education building is added - known today as building C.
1996
- Jul 19, 2021 The Memorial Garden is consecrated by Bishop Shahan
1997
- Jun 15, 2021 April 17, 1997 - Rev. Charlie Smith retires.
- Jun 15, 2021 Rev. John C. N. Hall is elected by the Vestry as the new rector.
1998
- Jun 15, 2021 February 15, 1998 - Rev. John C. N. Hall arrives as second Rector of Saint Matthew’s.
- Jun 15, 2021 Easter Sunday - First female lay readers and acolytes serve.
- Jun 15, 2021 The 1928 Book of Common Prayer was removed and the 1979 Book of Common Prayer became the norm of worship.
2000
- Jun 15, 2021 Mario Milian is ordained as a Deacon
- Jun 15, 2021 July 1, 2000 - March 27, 2001 - Rev. Kimberly Adonna Knight serves as the first female Assistant Rector.
- Jun 15, 2021 July 2000 – July 2006 - Rev. Mario Emilio Milian Gomez serves as Associate Rector. He currently serves as a Priest in the Diocese of Southeast Florida.
2001
- Jun 15, 2021 Saint Matthew’s Food Bank opens.
- Jun 15, 2021 Improvements to the Rose Garden are made in memory of Albert Tibshraeny.
2004
- Jun 15, 2021 Rev. Bill Forrest joins as an Assisting Priest.
2005
- Jun 15, 2021 As a result of great congregational growth and a generous land donation, Rev. John C. N. Hall begins plans to move Saint Matthew’s to a larger location in Chandler and incorporate an Episcopal School.
2008
- Jun 15, 2021 Parishioner Susan Youngblood becomes a Deacon and begins serving at Saint Matthew’s.
- Jun 15, 2021 After much debate and economic downturn, the diocese ultimately decides to sell a potential new church site, encouraging Saint Matthew’s to plan a new building expansion for the growing congregation.
2009
- Jun 15, 2021 Parishioner Mike Halle becomes a Deacon.
2012
- Jun 15, 2021 December 25, 2012 - Rev. John C. N. Hall’s last service at Saint Matthew’s. Among many things, he helped establish Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank. He currently lives in Prescott, AZ raising bees.
- Jun 15, 2021 Rev. Bill Forrest celebrates his last service at Saint Matthew’s
- Jun 15, 2021 Rev. David Pettengill begins serving at Saint Matthew’s as an Assistant Priest. He attends St Mark’s when he isn’t hiking the Grand Canyon.
2013
- Jun 15, 2021 January 2013 – March 2014 - Rev. Richard Morrison serves as Interim Rector. He lives locally and frequents Saint Matthew’s.
2014
- Jun 15, 2021 Rev. Dominic Moore is appointed Rector.
- Jun 15, 2021 Susan Youngblood serves her last service at Saint Matthew’s as a Deacon. She currently serves as a Deacon at St. Christopher’s in Oak Park, IL, outside of Chicago.
2015
- Jun 15, 2021 February 2015 – July 2017 - Rev. Deby Adinolfi serves as Assistant to the Rector. She was called to St. Theresa’s Episcopal Church in Acworth, Georgia and currently lives in Tucson
2017
- Jun 29, 2021 June 4, 2017 - Groundbreaking of the new sanctuary
- Jun 30, 2021 December 2017 - January 2021 - Rev. Henry O Tuell IV serves as Associate Priest for Community Life. He was called to Saint John's Episcopal Church, Staten Island, New York
2018
- Jun 30, 2021 April 22, 2018 - The new sanctuary is consecrated by Bishop Smith
- Jun 30, 2021 Sanctuary stained glass is installed
2021
- Jun 15, 2021 Rev. Colville Smythe begins serving as a Priest Associate.
2022
- Jan 10, 2022 January 9, 2022 - Rev. Dominic Moore’s last service. He led us in building a state of the art church, while honoring our heritage and provided steadfast leadership as we navigated the pandemic.
- Jun 4, 2022 Parishioner Sally Niles is ordained a deacon.
- Jun 23, 2022 Parishioner Shawn Rutledge is ordained a priest.
2024
- Feb 1, 2024 Rev. Monica Whitaker is Installed as the fourth Rector of Saint Matthew’s.
- Jun 18, 2024 The Saint Francis statue is dedicated in memory of all our loved ones