In 1887, Francis Johnstone Murdoch founded the mission that became St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. The congregation soon built a wooden church on five acres of land generously donated by Ann McNeely. Before the first building was constructed, local familes held services in their homes.

St. Matthew’s was one of three missions started in rural western Rowan County. The other two- one on Gheen Road (apparently unnamed) and St. Jude’s on Sherrill’s Ford Road- were short-lived. St. Matthew’s, however, endured and continues to thrive into the 21st century, with descendants of the founding families remaining vital members of the congregation. The church was centrally located among family farms and served families bearing the names Carscaddon, Kepley, Wood, Dillon, Rufty, Lyerly, Graham, Hall and Christie.

The first sermon preached in the church was delivered by The Reverend Sidney Bost, whose text came from Romans 1:16:

“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto Salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also the Greek.”

At the time, the original Statesville Road- today’s Highway 70 -was a dirt path running behind what is now the Parish Building. The gully that once marked to road’s course remains visible today. A nearby railroad line proved a convenient walkway for families traveling from surrounding farms. Members of the Kepley family recalled that “they walked about a mile on the railroad track to church.”

The early congregation was composed mainly of local farmers and landowners who, through their desccendants, continued to sustain and grow the mission.

A Kepley family geneology notes that Lawson Monroe Kepley (1857-1921) was one of the church’s original founders and its first Sunday School teacher. He also organized the first Christmas tree celebration with decorations and gifts for the children.

At the 75th Annual Conention of the Diocese of North Carolina in May of 1891, Dr. Murdoch reported that “a plain and inexpensive frame building has been erected, and services are regularly held by a lay reader licensed as lecturer, who is also a candidate for Holy Orders. Quite a number of families in the neighborhood are constant attendants upon the services and show much interest in the work.”

Diocesan journals from 1887 through 1895 list Rev. Murdoch as St. Matthew’s clergyman, later joined by Rev. R. Bruce Owens and Rev. S. S. Bost. The first recorded burial in the churchyard was Lillile Magnolia Rufty in 1895, with Rev. Bost officiating.

The burial records show that the first interment in the church was Lillie Magnolia Rufty in 1895 and Reverend Sidney Bost preached her funeral.

From 1901 until 1911, clergy changes occurred, though Dr. Murdoch remained priest until his death in 1909. Others serving during this time included Rev. John L. Saunders, Rev. R. L. Bame, and Rev. L. W. Blackwelder. Around 1910, the original white-framed church fell into disrepair.

In 1911, two years after Rev. Murdoch’s passing, his widow Eliza and sister Margaret donated funds to construct a new church in his memory. The resulting brick building, completed in 1912, stands as a lasting memorial to his ministry and devotion.

The petition for consecration, dated October 25, 1912, lists J.A. Harrison, Clinton Kepley, and W.A. Rufty as church representatives-descendnts of the original founding families. That same year, BIshop Cheshire consecrated the new St. Matthew’s describing it as “a beautiful and substantial brick chcurch, replacing a small frame structure; erected wholly at the cost of the widow and sister of Dr. Murdoch, as a tribute to his zeal and interest in building up the Church in Rowan County.”

In 1919, eight years after the new building was completed, members raised funds to purchase a bell. Nine members contributed, and on July 31, 1919, Mrs. J.F. Burg rang the bell for the first time.

From 1912 until 1948 the church families and congregation continued to grow under the leadership of several ministers, including Rev. William Hardin, Rev. Walter L. Loflin, Rev. Theodore Andrews, Rev. Jacob F. Burg, and Rev. Reuben Meredith. Rev. Burg and his family are buried in the St. Matthew’s graveyard.

In 1948 with continued expansion, members built a parish house, dedicated on September 5, 1948. It featured a basement kitchen and upstairs offices and classrooms.

Between 1948 and 1964, clergy included Rev. Jadi Levi Martin, Rev. Stark Spottswood Dillard Jr., and Rev. John N. McAllister, followed by Rev. Robert N. Davis, Rev. Carey E. Sloan, and Rev. Thomas Garner (1964-1968).

Rev. Willis M. Rosenthal began his ministry in 1969, serving until 1978. After a distinguished career in church education and leadership, he devoted his later years to St. Matthew’s and chose to be buried in its graveyard after his death in 1997, alongside his wife, Patricia Rosenthal.

Rev. Royal F. Dedrick served from 1983 to 1993, followed by Rev. Wendell Roncevalle Phillips (1995-2001) and Rev. Marvin Brady Aycock Jr. (until 2003).

On September 20, 1987, St. Matthew’s celebrated their 100 year anniversary and the morning sermon was preached by the Reverend Stark S. Dillard, Jr.

In 2002, Sara Palmer became a Lay Hispanic Missioner, forming the San Mateo Episcopal Church as a Latino congregation withing St. Matthew’s. She taught English and Spanish, led liturgy, and established a food and clothing ministry. Under her leadership, grants were obtained to pave the driveways and add a playground (2004-2005)

That same year, due to declining membership, St. Matthew’s joined the Yadkin Valley Cluster of nearby Episcopal churches under Rev. Joan Vella and Deacon Bonnie Duckworth, with Rev. Vella serving until 2008. Rev. Frederick C. Clarkson then led services from 2009 to 2012. After his departure, the Hispanic congregation merged into one English-language service, which some Hispanic families continue to attend.

In 2012, a Cannon Foundation grant funded a complete renovation of the 1948 kitchen and the addition of new furniture. A later 2017 grant replaced the Parish House carpet.

From 2013 to 2016, supply priest Candis Burgess led services, followed by Edwin and Frances Cox until 2024. The church remains served by a supply priest today.

The church continues to survive and support itself by the members of the congregation which are the descendants of the original members. It continues services and activities to the members and communities.

S. Matthew’s has spent the last 130 years building on history and family in the western part of Rowan County. Generation after generation have come, participated, given, worked, provided and kept the church alive.

This church has been a continued stable part of the community and provided to the families of the church a service and opportunity to have a church home. It's long life has given support to its members and been a strong part of the history of the area.