Our History
The first meeting of Episcopalians in the Dayton area was held August 8, 1982 at St. Bridget's Catholic Church with 19 people in attendance. Under the guidance of Rev. John Sonner, Rector of St. Paul’s, Chattanooga, plans were made to hold regular Sunday services. These services were held at St. Bridget’s with Rev. Robert Williams leading.
A steering committee was elected September 5, 1982. Petitions and applications were submitted to Bishop Sanders. The petitions were accepted by the Diocesan Convention in January oF 1983. The first parish meeting of St. Matthew’s was held that same month and the first MIssion Council was elected.
In August of 1983 Rev. Carson Fraser became St. Matthew's full time vicar. An installation service was held November 10, 1983.
The women met and elected officers for the E.C.W. in October 1983. Plans were made for a bazaar, yard sale, dinners, and other fund raising events.
The location of services was changed to Sawyer’s Funeral Home Chapel in the Fall of 1984. Meanwhile, a real effort was being made to find a permanent home for St. Matthew's. Land was looked at, empty stores in town were considered, and an existing church building bid on.
In January 1985 a house was bought and remodeling efforts begun, with a good deal of help from the folks at St. Alban’s in Hixson. The first service was held in the new church April 21, 1985, and a dedication service August 25, 1985.
The Rev. Carson Fraser stayed with St. Matthew’s until April 1988 when he was called to rector in Harriman, Tennessee.
In June 1988 M. Filmore Strunk arrived as Deacon-In-Charge. Later that same month, he was ordained at St. John’s Knoxville on June 26th. During this time, the church purchased the adjacent property and yellow house to use as a youth and fellowship hall.
In the summer of 1994 The Rev. Filmore Strunk accepted an invitation to pastor a much larger flock of sheep at St. Margaret's in Charlotte, North Carolina. His last Sunday with us was on October 16, 1994.
The Rev. Robert Boatwright served as interim priest until The Rev. Leslie Martin became the next full time rector serving from January 28, 1996 until December 28, 1998. It was decided at this time to continue to expand the property as the site for a future church, so St. Matthew’s purchased the brick house and property adjacent to the annex property.
While the church searched for a new priest, The Rev. Robert Boatwright, The Rev. James Marquis, and The Rev. Walter Thomas served as supply priests.
On August 5, 2001, Carol Ann Bullard began her residency with St. Matthew’s as Deacon-in-Charge. Here she was ordained to priesthood by Bishop Charles von Rosenburg on November 7, 2001. In 2002, the yellow house was sold and moved off the property. After accepting a call to work for two parishes in Nebraska, she served her last Sunday on May 30, 2004.
At this point St. Matthew’s is temporarily under the guidance of Supply Priests Rev. James Marquis and Rev. Walt Thomas who bring the Holy Eucharist service to the parish twice a month alternating with Morning Prayer led by Lay Ministers Danny Attle and Ellie Pickett.