Gazing upon Saint Matthews Episcopal Church, one might wonder about the stories held within its walls. This Brutalist-style concrete structure, opened in 1969, stands as a testament to the congregation’s resilience. Saint Matthews Episcopal Church wasn’t always housed in this building. Its story begins in 1894, with a magnificent Gothic-style church crafted from mottled firebrick and white sandstone. This earlier structure, designed by William Halsey Wood, boasted a bright and cheerful interior that could accommodate hundreds of worshippers. A devastating five-alarm fire in 1965 tragically destroyed this beloved building. From the ashes of this loss arose the current Saint Matthews Episcopal Church, designed by Victor Christ-Janer & Associates. Inside, a magnificent organ, crafted by Austin Organs, Inc. in 1969, fills the sanctuary with rich sounds. Its pipes, perched on a concrete shelf and cantilevered on a second-level wall, are a testament to the ingenuity of its designers, Bassett Hough and Charles Neill. This organ stands as a symbol of rebirth, echoing the church’s own story of resilience. The merger between St. Matthew’s Protestant Episcopal Church and Zion and St. Timothy P.E. Church in 1922 further enriched the history of Saint Matthews Episcopal Church. This union brought together two congregations with distinct backgrounds, creating a stronger, more vibrant community. Saint Matthews Episcopal Church has seen its share of transformations. From Victorian Gothic to a modern concrete design, each building has served as a spiritual home for its dedicated congregation. The church’s history is not just about bricks and mortar, but about the unwavering faith and community that have endured through trials and triumphs. Saint Matthews Episcopal Church stands as a symbol of resilience. It’s a place where history echoes in the present, inviting all who enter to become a part of its continuing story.
Gould Family Mausoleum
Ever heard of a “Robber Baron?” Here at Woodlawn Cemetery stands the Gould Family Mausoleum. It is a testament to