Picture this. You’re standing before St Matthew’s Church in Pacific Palisades. Its elegant lines speak of resilience. This isn’t just any church. It’s a story etched in stone and stained glass a testament to faith and community.
St Matthew’s Episcopal Church wasn’t always here on Bienveneda Avenue. Its journey began humbly in 1941. The first service was held in a library. Imagine the contrast. From a small library to this grand structure. Services later moved to a parishioner’s studio. A tent was even considered. Necessity truly breeds ingenuity.
In 1942 the first church building was completed. It stood on Swarthmore and La Cruz. The very first service there was a wedding. A beautiful start to a building destined for a dramatic history. The Reverend Kenneth Worthington Cary became the first Vicar in 1944. He later became the rector serving until 1978. Quite a tenure.
Growth followed. A preschool opened in 1949. A parish school began in 1950. St Matthew’s was thriving. But in 1953 a significant move happened. The original church was cut in half. It was moved up Sunset Boulevard to its new 42-acre location. The Garland Estate land was once 74 acres. Think of the changes this community has witnessed.
Tragedy struck in 1978. The Agoura-Malibu firestorm destroyed the church. Eighty-six homes were lost too. A devastating blow. But the spirit of St Matthew’s wasn’t broken. The congregation viewed this as an opportunity. They hired Moore Ruble Yudell architects. They worked collaboratively with the church community. The new church completed in 1983 is a symbol of hope and rebirth. It blends different desires. It’s both grand and intimate. A lovely functional space.
The current church stands as a testament to survival. It’s a place of worship for over 2500 members. It’s a testament to the community’s unwavering faith. It survived a fire. It even survived recent fires. Remember the January 2025 Palisades Fire. The school was destroyed. The church was damaged. But it stands. The legacy continues. This isn’t just a building. It’s a living breathing community. A place of solace. A place of remembrance. A place of resilience. It is St Matthew’s Church.