1941 |
The Parish of Saint Matthew was conceived and nurtured by the efforts of a group in Pacific Palisades, and came into existence officially on October 5, when the first service was held in the library building of the Presbyterian Conference Grounds, then located north of Sunset Boulevard at Temescal Canyon Road. When the library was no longer available, services were held in a parishioner's studio, and at one time a tent was considered. |
1942 |
The original Church building was completed at the corner of Swarthmore and La Cruz in Pacific Palisades. The first service in the new Church was a wedding on June 26. The first Sunday service was on June 28. |
1944 |
The Reverend Kenneth Worthington Cary, who arrived in February, became the first Vicar. |
1945 |
The Mission became a Parish on January 24 and Cary was elected rector, serving until 1978. |
1949 |
St. Matthew’s Preschool was created and opened on May 2. |
1950 |
The St. Matthew's Parish School began on September 12 at the Swarthmore location. |
1951 |
Plans to build on the current site (42 acres of what was once the 74-acre Garland Estate) began. |
1953 |
After the original Church was cut in half, moved up Sunset Boulevard to its new location, remodeled and enlarged, the first service on Bienveneda was held on March 15. |
1978 |
The Church, along with 86 neighboring homes, was destroyed by fire on October 23. |
1981 |
Plans to rebuild led to a groundbreaking ceremony, which took place on June 14. |
1983 |
The first informal service in the new Church was a "Service of the New Light" at 10:00 pm on March 18. The first family service was at 9:30 am on March 20, preceding the dedication and consecration service at 6:00 pm. |
Today |
Our parish of more than 2500 members is led by the Reverend Bruce A. Freeman. Several distinguished priests have served as rector in the footsteps of Father Cary: |