Take a journey with us in the “St. Matthew UMC Time Capsule”. We must be very quiet so as not to disturb the proceedings that are recorded in our history. It is the year 1900 in the home of Mrs. Marie Harris. Sitting with her are the founders of St Matthew Church: Mrs. Catherine Neal, Mrs. Willie Ann Clapp, Mr. Henry Thomas, Mrs. Kelley, Mr. Thomas Owens, Mrs. Lizzie Owens, Mr. Henry Williams and Reverend John Moore, a local minister. This was the first church in the historically African-American Community of Baltimore County known as Turner Station. It is May 10, 1910 and the first cornerstone for St. Matthew is being laid in “The Meadow”. St. Matthew is becoming affiliated with The Washington Annual Conference of the Methodist Church.

Under the pastorate of the Reverend J.J. Thomas in 1927, we are moving to the Avon Beach Road site of the present Leslie A. Dyson Educational Building. Our legacy of firsts continues. St Matthew, under the leadership of Reverend Thomas and other outstanding citizens of the community, is instrumental in obtaining the first school and the first street lights for Turner Station. Ten years later under the leadership of Reverend S.A. Virgil, we are building our present sanctuary. Our church continues to grow under the pastorates of Reverend S.W. Fields, Reverend John H. Carter, Reverend Sustain R. Bennett and Reverend John R. Brooks. A focus on youth has our Sunday School, United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF), and Vacation Bible School literally bursting at the seams with young people eager to learn more about Jesus and to fellowship in Christ’s name.

The year is 1968. We are merging with the Church of Brethren, and we are now known as United Methodists. In 1973 we are merging with Ebenezer United Methodist Church of Sparrows Point, Maryland. Reverend Leslie A. Dyson is the shepherd of our flock followed by Reverend Rudolph Flood and Reverend G. Sylvester Gaines.

With Reverend Gaines at the helm, the church begins anew its active involvement in the civic affairs of the neighborhood and is now poised to bring about renewal. As is customary, St. Matthew is still first in providing quality leadership in the Turner Station community. The prominently known Turner Station Development Corporation is founded as a result of the involvement of our church under the leadership of Reverend Gaines.

Many improvements in our spiritual programs, as well as in the physical structure of our sanctuary, meeting and dining facilities are evident. It is Easter Sunday 1986, and we are just in time for the ground breaking ceremony for the Leslie A. Dyson Educational Building. Congresswomen Helen D. Bentley and other community dignitaries are voicing their support of this milestone and they are extending congratulations to our membership. Five months later we are witnessing the dedication of the blessed new structure. This is truly the beginning of a new era in the life of our church.

We are entering the computer age. Out of the need to stress educational awareness in the Turner Station Community, the Turner Station Computer Learning Center is established.

The “Say Yes” National Coalition Computer Learning Project is being developed under the leadership of Reverend Herbert W. Watson, Jr. in cooperation with the Turner Station Development Corporation and Dundalk Community College under the skillful direction of Dr. Hattie Washington. This program is being established to help our young, gifted, beautiful African-American children become computer literate and to strengthen basic skills in Reading, English, Math and Science. The program goals are to increase each student’s self-esteem, self-confidence and self-motivation. This project is being funded by the Associated Black Charities.

Reverend John D. Snowden is leading the flock in 1990 teaching “Jesus First” and that we must be diligent to present ourselves approved unto God as set forth in II Timothy 2:15. With this truth we are striving to strengthen all levels of our spiritual growth. The Children’s Sermonette and Moments in Black Awareness have become integral parts of our Sunday Morning Worship. The African-American Culture and Heritage Committee has been commissioned by Reverend Snowden and chaired by James T. Smith. An annual Culture and Heritage Day Celebration has become a St. Matthew tradition.

Reverend Boyd N. Walton arrives at St. Matthew in 1998 as interim pastor and energetically continues to nurture the church and its programs. Words of the People, an opportunity for members and friends to give praise and thanks to God, is added to the Sunday Morning Worship.

It is Thanksgiving Day 1998 and the St. Matthew family is worshipping with their brothers and sisters at the Greater Saint John Baptist Church. The congregation and community anxiously await the presentation of the Word by Reverend Dr. Dred Scott as he greets us for the first time as the new Pastor of the St. Matthew family. Needless to say, everyone has a hallelujah good time as the Lord blesses him to deliver the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Under his pastorate, he hails Jesus Christ as Senior Pastor and himself as Pastor of “The Church Where Love Is Lived”. He is initiating many new ministries, some which are: Widows of Worship, Children’s Church, Grow One Sunday, T.G.I.F. (Thanking God In Faith), Disciple of the Month and Class Leaders.

It is now July 2013, Reverend Vera Mitchell Mallet, Interim Pastor is blessing us with her gentle spirit, coupled with her deep and firm conviction of the Risen Christ.  She is a healing balm to the congregation during our transitional period of pastoral change from Reverend Dr. Dred Scott to that of Reverend Kay F. Albury, who due to a medical procedure was not able to start until September 1 of 2013.  Rev. Albury is breaking the gender barrier of becoming the first female pastor of St. Matthew United Methodist Church, as well as the first female pastor in the community of Turner Station.  Reverend Mallet graces us as interim pastor from July 1 through August 31, of 2013.

Glory be to God, Reverend Kay F. Albury, although using a cane, marched up the aisle during worship that first Sunday in September of 2013 with grace and deep gratitude for her new assignment as pastor.  She focused on the children and youth, as Children’s Sabbath Month in October was started with visiting dancers, a new mime and dance ministry, a new puppet ministry, children and youth speakers and worship leaders.  This laid the foundation for the revival of the United Methodist Youth Fellowship, and Fine Arts Summer Camp.  Also, it gave birth to a Children’s Sabbath Festival and a new Girl Scout Troop.  Moreover, many church leaders have and continue to be trained through Conference related activities, as well as internal educational events that focus on our church’s Mission and Vision. The church has purchased a new property (103 Avon Beach Road) which houses most of the Scouting and UMYF events. Last, a new United Methodist Women group has been organized, along with much hope to continue to move outside of the church’s walls as we serve and connect others to Christ. The “best is yet to come!”

WRITTEN BY BEULAH WILLIAMSON