This is a special month in the history of Saint Matthew Lutheran Church. Sixty-four years ago on April 16, 1950, the church was chartered in a service in the Moorestown Community House. Many of us know the story of how our congregation came to be, but it is always good to look back to that time and to reflect on how far we have come.
We have much for which to be thankful as we enter into our 65th year:
- T
he dream of The Rev. Ralph Shockey and his wife Dorothy to have a Lutheran church in Moorestown when he became superintendent of the new Lutheran Home in 1947. - The inspiring worship services which brought enough people to move from the Lutheran Home to the Moorestown Community House, which led to the charter in 1950.
- The vision of those “pioneers” to purchase the original Presbyterian church property at 318 Chester Avenue in November 1950.
- The diligence of men and women to remodel the sanctuary, maintain the property and encourage others to join the new congregation.
- The exciting growth of the congregation to the point that more space was needed for Sunday school classes and thus, a new education building in 1962.
The commitment to long range planning which led to building a new facility for a sanctuary, library, lounge and offices and joining it to the education building and the old parish hall.- The joy and celebration at the dedication in September 1972 when architect Herman Hassinger said he hoped it would be a “legacy to the future, an inspiration to the present and an echo of the past.”
- The commitment of gifted pastors and associates through the years we’ve been together: Kenneth Frickert, J. Brooks Moore, Edwin L. Ehlers, Herluf M. Jensen, Edward Dufresne, Carl T. Uehling, Bruce Bassett, Gordon L. Huff, Nancy Hoops Truscott, Mark Hoffman and Ingrid F. Wengert. We had several seminary interns and we also called our first lay rostered person, Associate in Ministry William Lawrence.
- The dedication of various staff members to support pastors and each other and many congregation council members who were committed to serving the church.
- The willingness of so many during those 64 years who have shared time and talents to do such things as altar guild, choirs, musical productions, lay readers, ushers, greeters, acolytes, crucifers, Vacation Bible school, activities with Camden churches, Stephen Ministry, committees for many different projects, and groups for women, seniors, youth, drama, fellowship, Bible studies, maintenance, reading and countless other things.
- The caring hearts and generous gifts of so many to support the NJ Synod and the ELCA; for the hungry, for Thanksgiving baskets, for disaster relief, for helping to settle refugee families, for “servant trips”, for purchasing the property next door, and to establish a beautiful Garden of Remembrance for the interment of ashes of congregation members.
- Sharing with the community to help charter MEND, develop a partnership with Bridge of Peace Community Church in Camden, hosting the Moorestown Ministerium Food Pantry, hosting the homeless, welcoming non-profit organizations to use our facilities and so much more.
As we give thanks for the past, we look forward to the future, knowing that we “can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.” To God be the glory! —Rozella Bower