It was April 16, 1950 and a group of people were gathered in the Community House in Moorestown where they had been worshiping for several weeks. Sixty-three people had signed a charter and a service was held to formally mark the beginning of Saint Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church. That, of course, means this church will be 70 years old on April 16, 2020, 4 days after Easter.
In 1950, Harry Truman was the President of the United States; the median family income was $3,300; a new car cost $1500; milk was delivered to doorsteps; the Disney movie “Cinderella” was produced and kids watched “Howdy Doody” on 12-inch black and white TV sets. What a difference from today!
In 1947 the Rev. Ralph Shockey, along with his wife Dorothy and his children, came to Moorestown to become administrator of the new Lutheran Home on Main Street. In the fall of 1948 Sunday school classes began at the Home for area children. Worship services were added; interest and attendance grew; and more space was needed. The group moved to the Community House in 1950.
Much has happened in those 70 years since our forefathers and mothers thought Moorestown was a good location for a Lutheran church and was given the name Saint Matthew by Pastor Shockey (because there was no other church in this area with that name).
Seven months after the organizing service they purchased the current property on Chester Avenue from the Presbyterian church, including the church building and the old parish hall. Worship services were held in the parish hall while men in the congregation remodeled the sanctuary for Lutheran style worship.
As the Sunday school attendance increased , an education building was constructed and dedicated in 1962. Eleven years later the church building was deemed unstable for use and it was demolished in June 1971. Our lovely new sanctuary, incorporating the parish hall and the education building was designed by congregation member Herman Hassinger, architect, and dedicated in September 1972.
Through the years we have been served by 8 pastors, 2 associate pastors and several interns. The staff has included secretaries/office managers/administrative assistant, directors of music/cantor, organists, parish educators, directors of volunteers, a property manager, custodians and nursery supervisors.
We have purchased additional properties on both sides and behind our building. We have an improved rear entrance, a beautiful garden of remembrance and a lovely butterfly garden.
We have celebrated church anniversaries, beginning for the 5th and continuing almost every 5 years since, with special celebrations for the 40th, 50th, and 60th. Another is planned for our 75th in 2025. We have had many social ministry activities, music events, social gatherings, education opportunities, property projects, financial campaigns, etc. We have had countless volunteers and committees doing incredible ministries through the years. We have resolved conflicts and been given new opportunities and new faith in God’s work among us and within us.
All of our charter members are deceased but we feel they must be smiling upon us as we try to fulfill their dreams. There are four children of those “pioneers” who continue as members and enjoyed Sunday school and other activities in their young lives because of their committed parents: Joyce Buss (Mr & Mrs Albert Moritz); Sandy Meany (Mr & Mrs Edward Brown) and Dave and Jonathan Stewart (Mr & Mrs Dwight Stewart).
And what of the future? Who knows? We look forward to wonderful worship experiences as we seek a new pastor and new members with willing hands to help us in our mission. Surely we want to grow in our faith and caring for each other; in our commitment as people of Christ, and in our continued reliance on God’s guidance. Certainly we are grateful for God’s grace through the decades and we are hopeful for his continued blessings in the years to come. “Surely the Lord is in this place and we are glad.”