About Us

What is the United Church of Christ?

The United Church of Christ (UCC) became a new denomination in 1957 when two predecessor denominations merged: The Evangelical Reformed Church (which traces its roots back to Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin of the Protestant Reformation) and the Congregational Christian Church (which traces its roots back to the pilgrims in New England). Through the years, other groups have joined the United Church making us diverse in our ethnic and cultural background. The UCC is a uniting church that seeks to follow Jesus' prayer "that they may be all one" (John 17:21). Our current motto is "God is still speaking".

Our World is going through rapid changes in this new century, but God continues to speak to those who listen.

Our History

St. Matthew's is one of the oldest churches in Monroe County. The Moravian Church began a Christian mission to the Native Americans living in the area. The first white settlers arrived in the area in 1768. By 1770, worship services were being conducted in barns and private homes. In 1779, dedicated German Lutheran and Reformed Christians built a log cabin church building on land donated by Abraham Schmidt. The church was dedicated on October 27,1779

As the area grew in population, the church membership also grew. In 1846 a stone building was built to replace the log cabin. Then in 1900, the current church structure was erected. In 2015, we added a new addition to our building that contains an elevator, handicapped bathrooms, new offices and classrooms. St. Matthew's was a Union Church for most of its early history- we were both Lutheran and Reformed. In 1975 the two churches joined together and affiliated with the United Church of Christ.

How We're Helping

We are a community-based organization focused on helping make the world around us a better, happier place. We are a diverse group of believers – farmers, construction workers, teachers, health care providers, seamstresses, business owners, parents – united by our shared faith in a loving God. With the help of our tireless volunteers, we organize fundraisers, hold exciting community-building events and expand our children's growth thru Sunday school and annual Vacation Bible School.

We’ve seen the transformation hundreds of times – people who came to us full of doubt and uncertainty become secure in the knowledge of their rightful place in God’s great kingdom. The change may start slowly – in a Bible Study class or choir participation, perhaps – but once it begins, it picks up speed. The good works, shared experiences, time spent in prayer – all bring us closer to our highest calling.

Get Involved

Are you passionate about what we're doing? Let us know! We are always looking for volunteers to help us make our vision a reality. We'll help you find a way to volunteer that best suits you. We're excited to have you join the team!

Thank You

Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you. We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you.