Parish History of St. Matthew's in Alliance

Early Days

     The Episcopal Church Society was organized in Alliance in 1890. After St. Matthew's Episcopal Church was established as a mission in 1895. A small church building was built. In 1912, a larger church building was constructed next to the old one, which was converted into the parish hall. This church was a gray stone building and was located at the intersection of 7th and Cheyenne. St. Matthew's was incorporated as a parish in May of 1942.

     In 1965, construction began on a beautiful new church at 16th and Cheyenne. The architect, known as Loch Crane, was a student of Frank Lloydd Wright. Frank Lloyd Wright was an architect and writer whose distinct style helped him become one of the biggest forces in American architecture. Crane used much of Wright's style in designing St. Matthew's. The church was part of a broad plan to develop the northern edge of Alliance with a park area which is now Laing Lake.

     The first service was held on Christmas Eve 1968. Today it continues to serve in harmony with its environment and the people who worship in it.

Clergy

     The Rev. John Bates served as the first rector of St. Matthew's in 1890. Many priests followed until Father Orval Spencer came in 1961. Father Spencer was rector of St. Matthew's from that time until 1992, our longest serving priest. Father Robert Bohyer was rector from 1992 to 1996. Father Paul Mottl succeeded Father Bohyer. Father Mottl served from 1996 to 2005. Father Don Huber then made the commitment to serve from 2006 to April 2012. Father Coke McClure served from 2013 to 2020. Our current Rector, the Rev. Kimberly Culp has been serving St. Matthew's since January 2024.

The State of St. Matthew's – The Church

     As stated before, St. Matthew's has served our community and outlying area while working in harmony with the environment God has provided as well as the members and surrounding community. For over a century St. Matthew's has provided a spiritual home for generations of families in the Panhandle as well as newcomers from all parts of the world.

     We have been blessed througout the years with gifted clergy and parishioners who have nurtured and enriched St. Matthew's heritage.

St. Matthew's the Man . . . From Whom We Got Our Name . . .

     Born in Palestine sometime in the 1st century, Saint Matthew was one of Jesus' 12 apostles and also one of the four Evangelists, according to the Bible. Matthew authored the first Gospel of the Bible's New Testament, now known as the Gospel of Matthew. Prior to preaching the word of God, he worked as a tax collector in Capernaum.

www.biography.com/religious-figure/saint-matthew

I will establish my
covenant as an
everlasting covenant
between me and you
and your descendants
after you for the
generations to come…
Genesis 17:7