It was in the early months after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, Notably, in 1867, a group of black people met in East Raleigh in the home of one Major Lane, on East Davie Street in mid-week to thank God for deliverance and to seek His guidance as they ventured into this new freedom.
The meeting took place in the kitchen of the home. It was only a prayer band. Somehow the African Methodist Episcopal Church had made itself felt in this community after the founding of St. Paul AME Church, so this group wanted to be a part of the same organization. Later the lot on East Davie Street was purchased from Mrs. Martha Mills. Its first minister was a preacher who had served as a local preacher at St. Paul, and for that reason the church was called “Little Methodist” Church.
Some of its earliest ministers included Reverend H.C. Nunn, Reverend Vander Worth, Grey, Fairly, Williams, and Reverend K. C. Holt. It was under the leadership of Reverend Holt in 1875 that the first choir was organized, and the first organ was purchased.
The original building was an old building, which had stood on New Bern Avenue near Seawell Avenue. It was a hospital and had to be moved to the location. The church understood the task of purchasing and reconditioning this building. Perry Hinton and his son Charles Perry were the carpenters assigned the job. This church stood until 1910. The original Church was a small frame building with an “A” roof and a steeple. In the years 1910 and 1911, the Reverend A.D. Avery came and built a new Church which became Saint Matthew AME Church, and held its First Annual Conference and Corner Stone laying in 1912. Bishop L. J. Coppin was the Presiding Bishop.
In 1929, the building was torn down under the administration of Reverend R.E. Ligon and in 1930 the congregants entered the basement unit of Saint Matthew AME Church, at 805 E. Davie Street. Reverend Josiah Davis served as pastor between 1944 and 1946. Reverend L. M. Thompson was appointed pastor in 1946. In 1948, during Reverend L. M. Thompson’s administration the top portion of the Church was completed, and occupied for service to the Glory of God. The basic structure still stands today and is occupied by Revelation Missionary Baptist Church. It was during Rev. R. T. Troublefield’s administration that we were able to purchase a Church Parsonage at 613 East Cabarrus Street. Following Rev. Thompson’s tenure, Reverend Upshaw severed for two years.
Reverend John F. Epps served as pastor of the Church between 1962 and 1968. Reverend Epps being an Historian himself, saw the need for a Documented Church History. Mrs. Julia Margaret was appointed as the Church Historian, and served until her passing in 1997. Mr. Wilbert A. Wilder whom we called, “A Walking History Book,” was a valuable source of practically all information concerning the Church History prior to 1963. After 1963 and beyond, he continued to provide information for updates until his passing in 2009.
The Reverend David L. Morrison took the helm as our minister in 1968. Between 1968 and 1975 he led the Church through two mortgage burnings, and major remodeling projects which included lowering the Sanctuary ceiling, water proofing the basement, installation of carpeting, and air conditioning, and the purchase of new pews and pulpit furniture. He was indeed a man of God on a mission to serve.
Following Rev. Morrison, Reverend Ralph L. Stephens served as minister from 1975-1992. During this time the Church realized a new vision for its ministry in Raleigh, NC. In 1980, four acres of land was purchased on Bennett Street, from Mrs. Rebecca Weatherford. The building project was stepped up under the leadership of Steward Board President Pro Tem James C. Stewart, who organized many fund-raising activities, including chain letter solicitations and banquets under the umbrella of “Project Build.”
When the word went out into the community that St. Matthew was building a new Church, the Lord sent Rev. Frank Summerfield, who was beginning his Word of God Fellowship in Raleigh, to buy the building on Davie Street. The last service on Davie St. for St. Matthew was held in October 1986. The Church arranged through Mrs. Norma Haywood, who was principal of Emma Conn Elementary School, to hold services in the school until the new facility could be built.
In April 1987, the Groundbreaking Service was held on Bennett Street. Bishop John Hurst Adams, the Presiding Bishop, described it as a “clear and worthy vision,” that St. Matthew should build a new edifice to the Glory of God. Mr. George Parker and Mr. James Stewart were the first to break the new ground. It was a faithful few members, who kept the faith while worshipping in the school, who continued to tithe consistently and who gave generously to the building fund to demonstrate to the Mechanics and Farmers bank that a mortgage could be serviced.
St. Matthew opened the doors of its new home in November 1990. The Fellowship Hall was dedicated to the memory of James C. Stewart, who had passed on before seeing the completion of the new facility. The Kitchen was dedicated to Essie Dunmore, who passed away long before the building of this new Edifice. She worked long years in the Old Edifice at Saint Matthew AME Church, on Davie Street, and had given tireless support for the building fund, even as she grew in years. On Sunday, November 18, 1990 the formal dedication and unveiling of the cornerstone was held. The symbolic keys to the building were given to the Right Reverend H. Hartford Brookins, Presiding Bishop. Reverend Marion B. Robinson, who two years later in 1992, was appointed to serve as Pastor, presided at the dedication.
Renovations done in 1993 included installing a Sliding Divider between the Church Vestibule & the James C. Stewart Fellowship Hall. The Finance Room was dedicated in honor of Mr. George Parker, Mr. Willie Bridgeford, and Mr. Rudolph Wilson in 1993. Also, the Church parking lot was paved in that same year.
The Women’s Missionary Society of Saint Matthew AME Church was renamed, in November of 1995. The Society is now called the “Julia M. Holt Women’s Missionary Society” in honor of Sister Julia M. Holt, as a tribute to her unselfish crusade for missions. Also in 1995, the Usher Board of Saint Matthew AME Church became the “A. O. Carmichael, Sr. Usher Board” in honor Mr. A. O. Carmichael, Sr. who was a devoted usher, and pioneer in Boy Scouting.
Our vision for a Church Steeple became a reality. The new Church Steeple was dedicated on January 23, 2003 by Bishop Vinton R. Anderson, Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District. We also purchased a new Clavinova (Digital Piano) to enhance our Music Ministry.
The Church continued to realize the vision under the leadership of its present Pastor, Reverend Marion B. Robinson. In 1997 Mrs. Lenora Woods donated an outside Storage Shed to the Church. Group transportation became a priority, so in 1999 we purchased a Burgundy Van which was a blessing to our transportation ministry. New organizations have become an active part of the ministry of St. Matthew, including the George Parker Men’s Club, Women Empowered to Pray Together (WEPT), an Outreach Ministry, Couples and Singles Ministries, Teen Ministry, Saturday Enrichment Academy, After School Program, Summer Camp, the Golden Circle, the Bereavement Support Group, the Dance and Mime Ministry, HIV/Aids Awareness Ministry, and Mentoring Programs.
Blessed with Reverend Marion B. Robinson at the helm, in the year of 2006, new goals were set and attained. We installed a state-of-the-art Sound System donated by Mrs. Annie Massenburg in June 2005, which greatly enhanced our Communication Ministry. A new Grey Van was purchased in 2007 which further enhanced our Transportation Ministry. Also, many other ministries, as well as school programs were added. In 2006 we also partnered with Wake County Foster Parents to become a Child Welfare Based Community Sponsor.
Our greatest accomplishment in the year 2007, by the grace of God, with strong leadership, and hard work, we were blessed to be able to retire the mortgage on the edifice at 1629 Bennett Street eleven years early. On Sunday, November 11, 2007, the mortgage was burned during the celebration of the 140th Church Anniversary. Befittingly, Bishop John Hurst Adams, who presided over the Ground-breaking service, officiated.
In August 2009, we enhanced our Music Ministry with the purchase of a Hammond Organ, donated by Reverend Kim E. Moss. Also in the year 2009 the Boy Scouts Organization was reinstituted to administer to the needs and future of our young boys.
In November 2011, state-of-the-art Video Equipment was installed in the Church along with two projection screens which were donated by Reverend Lummie Spann, Sr. This was a welcomed addition to our Communications Ministry. Also in 2011 the Saint Matthew AME Pre-School was instituted to enhance our Education Ministry. Throughout the years and into the present year 2012, we have gone from a domestic kitchen to a commercial kitchen with the installation of commercial equipment, and a sliding window to make serving easier. Our Food Service Ministry both within the Church and outside of the Church has been greatly enhanced by these much-needed renovations.
Our Pastor, Reverend Marion B. Robinson, who was then in his 21st year ministering to his Flock here at Saint Matthew AME Church realized a new vision for the Church. On his return from the 2012 Western North Carolina Annual Conference after outlining what he hoped to accomplish this conference year, he belted out in a church meeting, “how many of you want to ‘Catch the Vision’ with me?” The entire congregation rose to their feet in support of this calling. With that showing of support, our new vision became a reality that was now planted in the minds and hearts of all the members here at Saint Matthew AME Church.
“Catch the Vision”
“We give ourselves to God”
“We give ourselves to the Church”
“We give ourselves to Each Other”
The “Vision” having been established in the year 2012, we still hold on to our pledge. From 2012 to the present year 2017, the fire is still burning. Ministries added were the Midstream Circle Ministry in 2014 which serves members between the ages of 35-55, the Stroke Support Ministry in 2015, Churches for Social Justice in 2015, and also in 2015
The Commission on Membership and Evangelism-2015: This group does both “Outreach” and “In reach” on behalf of our church. Their goals and missions are an ongoing collaborative effort with all of the organizations within our Church to meaningfully affect the lives of our neighbors as well as those within our church in the manner of Christ like love and provide services within the context of Christian Fellowship. They strive to educate our surrounding community as well as those within our Church about the many programs and events that St. Matthew has to offer people of all sexes and ages. They strive to increase the membership of the Church and the participation in our church organizations. The group is dedicated to furthering and supporting all the evangelism efforts provided by St. Matthew AME Church in any way. This group helps to organize and facilitate outreach ministries and projects according to the needs of the community and the gifts, talents and resources of our Church as well as those available in the community. From 2015-2016, this New Community “Outreach” and “In reach” Ministry was involved working with the children of families in the nearby Raleigh North Apartment Complex. Their offerings included but were not limited to tutoring and mentoring here at the Church.
A growing need for larger group “transportation” was realized, and a 25-passenger Bus was purchased. The Bus turned out to be a “Blessing of Magnitude,” as it has traveled near and far enabling us to support our Pastor in his Ministry to other churches and events. We have traveled to funerals in support of our church members and other pastors and friends of our church family! The various church organizations and ministries have benefited in their travels as well. The Bus was paid off in March of 2017!
Saint Matthew was blessed to host and be a part of the Forgiven Ministry’s Inc. “One Day with God” Camp for the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women minimum custody facility on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22, 2017. The “One Day with God” Camp is an incredible program where preselected Inmates at this State Correctional Facility are afforded the opportunity to spend an entire day with their children. The children were taken into our approved facility, and along with their incarcerated mother shared in Prayer, Praise and Worship, Games, Crafts, a Birthday Celebration with Gifts, and a Meal. Volunteers from the Church assisted in this initiative. Forgiven Ministry is devoted to bringing love, reconciliation, and forgiveness to the inmate and her children in a Christian Christ-Centered environment. This outreach was spearheaded by the program founder, Scottie Barnes. Lenora Woods, President of the Saint Matthew Lay Organization, assisted with the organization of volunteers.
Our Pastor, Reverend Marion B. Robinson, whom we regard as our “Richard Allen” of this day and time continues to strive to carry us to greater heights. Our First Lady, Sister Jennifer H. Robinson works tirelessly in Missions Initiatives and we regard her as our “Sarah Allen” of this day and time. They along with their wonderful family have been a true blessing to Saint Matthew AME Church! We thank God for blessing us with their Ministry, which is truly in keeping with our Church Motto!
Saint Matthew African Methodist Episcopal Church Motto:
“Hands to give, a heart to love,
a mind to work, and a spirit to serve.”
Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit we continue to strive to become all
that God would have us to be, and to make Saint Matthew AME the Church
that God would have it to be.
To God Be The Glory!