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Welcome to St. Matthew's, Oakland

    The church which is now St. Matthew's Parish was built in 1868 by John Garrett, then president of the B&O Railroad, as a memorial to his brother, Henry, who had planned its construction, but died before it could be started.  From 1868 to 1903 the church was intended as a community church and was used by people with no particular religious persuasion, including the Episcopal congregation.  The first St. Matthew's church was built in 1871 on land overlooking Oakland near the new County Court House and adjoining the Oakland cemeteries.  In the winter months, the congregation worshiped at the Garrett Memorial Church when it was impossible to get to St. Matthew's.  In 1903, the stone church came under the care and direction of the Presbyterian church, eventually coming under the jurisdiction of the Baltimore Presbytery with the condition that the church still be available to any Protestant group wishing to hold services there. That tradition continues to this day as Grace Reformed Church conducts services in the church while they purchase land and prepare to build a church of their own.

    By 1935 the Presbyterian congregation decided to close the church for lack of enough members to support its program.  St. Matthew's continued to use the building in the winter months and then full time when the frame church on Fourth Street was sold to a congregation and moved to Coraopolis, PA.

    In 1961 the condition of the stone church precluded further use.  Services were held in the Parish House on Center Street (now Our Town Theater) from 1961-1966.  In December 1962, the Baltimore Presbytery deeded the building to St. Matthew's for $1.00 and after a determined restoration project, the church was reconsecrated and dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Harry Lee Doll, Bishop of Maryland, on St. Matthew's Day, September 21, 1966.  A major exterior renovation was completed in the Fall of 2001.

    Presidents Grant, Garfield, Cleveland, and Harrison have worshiped in the church during its long history and the church is known as "The Church of Presidents."

    St. Matthew's houses and operates the Nearly New Shop which provides low cost items to its customers.  Stephen's Table serves a free dinner to anyone who comes to the Parish Hall on the next-to-last Thursday of each month.  The idea has caught on with other churches in town and with coordinated efforts, a free meal is offered once a week to the hungry of Oakland.

 

 

©2005 The Episcopal Church in Garrett County
This site was last updated June 5, 2006
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