|
Year |
Highlights |
|
1956 |
Saint
Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church was established with 69 charter
members. The Reverend Richard Hollinger was the mission developer. A
parsonage was purchased on Glenwood Drive. |
|
1957 |
A
house and two and one half acres of land was purchased on Macon Road
as a site for the church. The house was converted as a House Chapel.
The price of the land and the house was $18,500. The first service
was held in the House Chapel on June 9th. |
|
1958 |
Service
Books and Hymnals were purchased. Choir, Sunday School, LCW, and
church programs were in service. |
|
1959 |
A
parish worker, Avis Gordee, was called to help out with evangelism
and church programs. A drive to build the sanctuary and first church
unit was begun. |
|
1960 |
Construction
of the sanctuary was completed and the first service was held in June. |
|
1961 |
The
first parsonage was sold and a new one purchased at 3423 Melrose Drive. |
|
1962 |
Pastor
Hollinger resigned in August and Pastor William Kaiser accepted a
call in September to become the pastor. |
|
1963 |
The
congregation continues to grow under the leadership of Pastor
Kaiser. The Parish Worker, Avis Gordee, resigns to accept a position
in Killeen, Texas. |
|
1964 |
Pastor
Kaiser resigned in June to accept a call to Ascension Lutheran
Church in Jackson, Mississippi. The Rev. John Satterwhite accepted a
call to St. Matthew in November. |
|
1965 |
Pastor
Satterwhite, his wife Willette, and their three children, David,
Mark and Laura arrived in February to begin their ministry. |
|
Top
of Page |
|
1966 |
A
building find for the education building was begun and plans were
made to beautify the church grounds and remove the House Chapel. A
complete set of "Chrismons" were made for the first
Chrismon Tree in Columbus. |
|
1967 |
The
Education Building was completed and dedicated and the House Chapel
was literally sawed in two and moved out Macon Road to Upatoi. |
|
1968 |
A
horticultural committee was established to oversee the landscaping
and beautification of the church grounds. |
|
1969 |
The
Thomas Pollard Memorial Walk was dedicated. Pastor Satterwhite
resigned and Chaplain Neal Davidson served as interim pastor until a
new pastor could be found. |
|
1970 |
Pastor
Charles B. Macmurphy accepted the call to St. Matthew and arrived in
Columbus with his wife, Phyllis, and three sons, Shawn, Kevin, and
Chuck in June. The Rev. Gerald Troutman, assistant to Bishop Harvey
Huntley, installed Pastor Macmurphy and preached a sermon entitled
"The Next Chapter" as the congregation began a new era in
its life and ministiy. |
|
1971 |
Outdoor
chapel was developed and early services were held in the chapel
during the summer months. The first annual confirmation banquet was
held and Holy Communion was offered to ten year old children slier a
period of instructions given to parents and children. |
|
1972 |
Key
73, a nation wide evangelism program was adopted by the congregation
to develop ways of reaching out to the unchurched. The scouting
programs was renewed and our benevolence to the synod was paid in
full. A Wedding Committee was organized to help provide services to
couples getting married at our church. |
|
1973 |
The
following mission statement was adopted by the congregation: "To
minister to the needs of our members through the Word and Sacraments
and participate fully in the mission of the LCA. Furthermore, to seek
direct means of serving the needs of our community as they become
evident to us." The Tuesday morning Bible class was started
which is still a vital part of our church's ministry today. The
"Each One Reach One" synod evangelism program was adopted
by our congregation. No program support was received from the synod.
St Matthew became a self-supporting congregation. |
|
1974 |
Parsonage
was sold and the pastor began receiving a housing allowance. A
Parish Life Development program was adopted. Extra benevolence was
given to the Love Compels Action Appeal of the LCA. Repairs were made
on the education building and sanctuaiy. Boy Scouts, Barbershop
Singers, and Heimatland Club meet regularly at our church. The
"Lively Ones" fellowship group began meeting monthly. |
|
1975 |
St.
Matthew becomes a tithing congregation giving 10% of its total
receipts to benevolence. "Burn Baby Burn," a
financial drive to pay off a second mortgage was started. |
|
Top
of Page |
|
1976 |
The
20th Anniversary Celebration: Pastors Hollinger, Kaiser, and
Satterwbite and wives returned as guest. The first pictorial
directory was made. The second mortgage was burned.and pews were
installed in the sanctuary. A Square Dance club began meeting at
church. "Road To Membership" evangelism program was started. |
|
1977 |
Two
Sunday morning worship services held throughout the year. Church bus
was purchased. Summer Day Camp program was started. Spares and Pairs
fellowship organized. Pastor begins jail ministry. |
|
1978 |
$10,000
dollars pledged to LCA Appeal "Strength for Missions" -
Contact Telephone Ministry training held at St. Matthew. Starmount AA
Group meeting at St. Matthew's Handbell choir organized. LBW
introduced at St. Matthew. |
|
1979 |
Special
task force made study for the development and growth of our church
during the 80's. Holy Communion celebrated every Sunday. Attendance
reaches 200 per Sunday at worship. |
|
1980 |
Purchase
of Church House and property for $40,700 dollars. Began holding
three worship services on Sunday mornings with Sunday School being
held at the same time of the second service. The first confirmation
camp was held at Roosevelt State Park. |
|
1981 |
Moved
into Church House for office and meeting rooms. Celebrated 25th
Anniversary. Eva Marie Hagemann, divinity student from Germany,
arrived for 6 month stay to become acquainted with the Lutheran
Church in America. |
|
1982 |
Katherine
Kelly was hired to assist in the church office. Calvin Jordan served
eight months as an intern in requirement to be reinstated as a pastor
in the LCA. Volunteer workers at the Community Clearinghouse
and Interfaith Food Bank Ministries become a part of outreach. A new
organ is purchased. |
|
1983 |
A
staff study was undertaken. The decision was made to get a full time
secretary and new office equipment. Katherine agrees to serve
part-time as a church administrator. Loyalty dinner held to honor
Alberta Loney, Norma Horan, and Elizabeth Simmons for their faithful
service to the church. |
|
1984 |
Personnel
Committee formed and job descriptions written for every member of
the staff Turn over in secretarial help and organists. Church parking
areas paved and aluminum siding put on the church house. |
|
1985 |
Katherine
Kelly hired as full-time lay associate with job description written
to cover secretarial and administrative work. A new organ was
purchased. Volunteer workers at the Community Clearing House and
interfaith food bank ministries became part of our outreach. |
|
Top
of Page |
|
1986 |
The
30th anniversary was celebrated. Pastors Hollinger and Satterwhite
and their wives were present for the occasion. Pastor Kaiser died at
his home in Florida shortly before the anniversary. Reverted to
holding two worship services on Sunday morning in order to put more
emphasis on Sunday School. A time of Family Openings was held before
going to class. Jule Stahl led the singing and the children's choir. |
|
1987 |
LCA
becomes part of the newly formed ELCA. St. Matthew voted to build a
new sanctuary. Katherine Kelly commissioned as a Certified Lay
Professional. Vicki Townsend becomes part-time youth director. |
|
1988 |
Time
To Build chosen as theme for
building program. A special song was written, banners made, and
financial campaign conducted. |
|
1989 |
All
goals for the 80's were met: (1) purchase of the Church House (2)
development of a team ministry with additional staff and (3) building
of the new sanctuary. The new sanctuary was dedicated on June 11,
1989, on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of the church. |
|
1990 |
Katherine
Kelly was elected at the vice-president of the Southeastern Synod.
Pastor Macmurphy celebrated his 30th year of ordination. Parent
support group organized to help with youth ministry. Mission 90
emphasis in ELCA. Renovation of Fellowship Hail began. |
|
1991 |
Celebration
of 35th church anniversary. Renovation of Fellowship Hall completed.
"Walk Down Memory Lane "reception held. Confirmation
pictures and other church pictures put in Fellowship Hall. Judy
Grigsby becomes part-time youth director. Super Sunday program
organized by Michelle Pratt. The Rev. Tom Otis arrives to begin
development of new mission congregation. |
|
1992 |
Men's
prayer breakfast started. Slide presentation of congregation
prepared for EMR program. AIDS network began meeting at church. Camp
WEGALU becomes annual camping program sponsored by 10 area
congregations ELCA and Missouri. |
|
1993 |
Five
areas of ministry identified as priority areas for St. Matthew (1)
Evangelism (2) Stewardship (3) Member involvement (4) special
ministries and (5) inclusiveness. |
|
1994 |
Pastor
involved in interfaith action committee. Pulpit exchange with New
Providence Baptist Church. Study on Human Sexuality conducted.
Habitat for Humanity House built by Lutherans in Columbus, Georgia.
Year of decision for Pastor and Phyllis culminating in their decision
to resign in June 1995. |
|
1995 |
Homecoming
Services: All Saints' Sunday for those who have been buried in faith
at St. Matthew and for those who have been baptized; Valentine's
Sunday for all who have been married at St. Matthew; Palm Sunday for
all who have been confirmed at St. Matthew. Pentecost Sunday
celebration of the 39th anniversary of the congregation. Pastor
Macmurphy resigns in June. Reception for Pastor Macmurphy and Phyllis
on June 17th with service of closure on June 18th. |
|
Top
of Page |
|
1996 |
The
40th Anniversary of St. Matthew is celebrated. The Reverend Ernst T.
Bentsen accepts our call. |
|
1997 |
Katherine
Kelly resigns as our Associate in Ministry and Office Administrator. |
|
1998 |
Martha
Carlsen accepts the position of Associate in Ministry and Office Administrator. |
|
1999 |
|
|
2000 |
Martha
Carlsen resigns. Pastor Bentsen resigns. Dr. Gerald Troutman
begins serving as our Interim pastor. Rachel Lloyd becomes our office
secretary. Pastor Harry Carlsen becomes our Visitation Pastor. |
|
2001 |
A
Call Committee is elected. The 45th Anniversary of the church is
celebrated. Josh Lawton creates the first church Internet web
site. Pastor Peter Samuelson becomes our Interim Pastor. |
|
2002 |
Call
Committee prepares Mission Profile and CD-ROM slide presentation
about St. Matthew for prospective pastors. Rachel Lloyd Thorne
resigns as Office Secretary to assume a position at Christian Life
School of Theology. Parish Nurse Program starts in September. |
|
2003 |
On
January 12th, the congregation votes to issue a call to Pastor J.
Lawrence Barksdale IV as our new Pastor. Pastor Barksdale accepts our
call. The congregation bids Pastor Samuelson adieu at a February
farewell celebration. Pastor Barksdale is installed as pastor on
March 16, 2003. |
|
2004 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
Saint
Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated 50-years of Ministry
to Our Lord. The 50th anniversary functions kicked off with a Fish
Fry on Friday afternoon. On Saturday, after an early morning
breakfast, the Memorial Garden was dedicated and members of the
congregation got a chance to view historical photo albums and
pictures from our archives. Later in the evening, our congregation
and guests attended a formal diner at The Estate on Macon Road with
terrific musical entertainment by the Front
Porch Pickers
and a variety of musical talent gathered by Pat Bonaker, our Musical
Director. Craig DuPriest was the Master of Ceremonies. The 50th
Anniversary Celebration concluded with a reception following the
Sunday morning worship service. Saint
Matthew charter members attending the 50th anniversary celebration
were: Rev. Dr. Richard Hollinger, DeLouris Hollinger, CSM Frank
Plass, Julianne Plass, Alberta Loney, Betty Davidson, and Mary French. |
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2011 |
|
|
2012 |
|
|
2013 |
|
|
Did
you find an error? Please e-mail your comments to the Webmaster. |
