Our Common Story
A Brief History...
Founded in the early 1950's by a handful of people from neighboring Christ Church, Tacoma, St. Matthew began meeting in the basement of a local family before moving to a storefront space in the neighboring Browns Point shopping center. Plans to build what are now the most seasoned buildings on the property began almost immediately, fueled by a nearly insatiable appetite for blackberry pie (served at nearly every planning and work meeting) and a desire to serve God creatively in the isolated yet growing community of Browns Point.
As documented in a News Tribune article (please see note below), circa January 1953, St. Matthew has the unusual distinction of being a parish developed and built nearly entirely from donated materials and volunteer labor (many of whom were not parishioners) making St. Matthew a truly community neighborhood church. It is the first church on Browns Point and remains to this day the only church on lower Browns Point.
Today, St. Matthew is a growing and diverse family of neighbors who have a heart for learning and a desire to connect with those who find purpose in serving the community in meaningful and creative ways.
As documented in a News Tribune article (please see note below), circa January 1953, St. Matthew has the unusual distinction of being a parish developed and built nearly entirely from donated materials and volunteer labor (many of whom were not parishioners) making St. Matthew a truly community neighborhood church. It is the first church on Browns Point and remains to this day the only church on lower Browns Point.
Today, St. Matthew is a growing and diverse family of neighbors who have a heart for learning and a desire to connect with those who find purpose in serving the community in meaningful and creative ways.
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A note regarding the article referenced above:
"History matters. Truth matters. St. Matthew, Browns Point/Tacoma is an Episcopal parish located within the reservation of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians in a neighborhood with a complex history with the tribe. Developed from the Church of England, The Episcopal Church is a core institution of colonialism in the United States and served as a primary agent in promoting and perpetuating indigenous genocide and chattel slavery. This Tacoma News Tribune article (circa January 1953) captures attitudes that have been in the church for centuries. It’s painful to read the first paragraphs. But it is important to know the truth of our history of White Supremacy. Without truth there is no light. And when there is no light, there is no opportunity for transformation." - Fr. Kendall Haynes |
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