Our History

Our Origins as an Immigrant Parish

As one of the daughter churches of Assumption in downtown Saint Paul, St. Matthew’s parish was founded in 1886 by German immigrants who built a church and established the first four school classrooms in the basement of that same building. In the 1920s, as the West Side population grew and membership swelled, both the church and school buildings were expanded.

For many, St. Matthew’s parish was at the center of their lives – both religious and social. Then in 1968 on the day after Easter, the original church burned to the ground. The stunned parish community was forced to grapple with building something new.

The new church was completed and dedicated in 1970, only a few years after Vatican II. This was during a time of spiritual renewal within the Catholic Church, and it was reflected in the new building’s architecture. The church was outfitted with chairs that could easily be rearranged to accommodate a more flexible approach to worship and to allow visits from theater and music groups. For the 100th anniversary of the parish, two alums of the parish school painted murals of people who lived and worked in the neighborhood.

The Good Samaritan on the banks of the Mississippi

Fr. Steve Adrian (1942-2024, ordained in 1968) was named pastor in 1968. He retired from full time pastoring in 2012, but continued to celebrate Mass and the sacraments until the Spring of 2024.

Under his leadership and guidance, St. Matthew’s Catholic Community sought to live out its faith through charitable actions that address the physical needs of people – always striving to be the good Samaritan on the banks of the Mississippi.

A visible expression of God’s love

Among its many initiatives, St. Matthew’s helped establish NeDA, a West Side Neighborhood Development Association. The parish became a host site for Loaves & Fishes and for St. Mary’s Health Clinic. The former rectory is now occupied by Casa Guadalupana. This ministry provides housing and support services for people seeking permanent asylum in the United States.

The parish began the practice of welcoming any grieving family seeking a funeral for one of its members, regardless of their religion.

St. Matthew’s School welcomed all families seeking a Catholic education for their children, regardless of whether they could pay full tuition. This policy continues at Community of Saints Catholic School, This regional school was established in 2012 when the schools of St. Matthew, St. Michael in West St. Paul, and St. John Vianney in South St. Paul were combined.

Today, St. Matthew’s Catholic Community continues to evolve as it works to carry out its commitment to exist in the world as a visible expression of God’s love.