On September 21, 1986, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte announced a new parish to serve the fast-growing area south of NC 51 and west of Monroe, NC. The 10th Catholic parish to be established in Mecklenburg County was dedicated to the intercession of St. Matthew. The church property was located on an 18-acre parcel at the corner of Elm Lane and the future Ballantyne Commons Parkway.
Our first pastor, Reverend Monsignor Joseph Kerin, left his post as Diocesan Chancellor to lead the new Catholic community. The parish had a rather inauspicious beginning in a dimly lit theater with a broken PA system. Nevertheless, 600 enthusiastic Catholics from various area churches gathered on Sunday, Nov. 2 of that first year at Tower Place Cinema on NC 51 for two Masses celebrated by Monsignor Kerin. Daily Masses were held in the rectory on Providence Road West for the next two and a half years. Resourcefulness and ingenuity enabled St. Matthew parishioners to joyfully make do with spartan accommodations, creating a family spirit that remains to this day.
The parish grew to 620 households, beginning a trend of rapid and steady growth. A Parish Council was elected, and planning for the church property began in earnest. Demand for classroom space for Faith Formation and meeting space for fellowship led to the decision to build an 18,000-square-foot Family Center. Our present Parish Center was dedicated on Saturday, July 22, 1989, with Bishop John Donoghue in attendance.
Over the next seven years, the gymnasium area of the new center served as the parish sanctuary. Masses were crowded, but the “can-do” spirit of our parish family persisted. After the last Mass each Sunday, parishioners would stack and store 750 steel chairs that served as pews, converting the gym back for its intended use. A year and a half of planning and fundraising, a year of design work, and another year and a half of construction resulted in a balanced blend of striking beauty and graceful functionality in our present church. It includes a large gathering space, amphitheater-style seating, choir pit, and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Dedication ceremonies were held on March 17, 1996, with Bishop William Curlin in attendance. Approximately 2,000 people were present that day.
From July 1996 through June 1999, the Capuchin Franciscan Friars staffed the parish, with Father Edmund Walker serving as pastor.
On July 7, 1999, Bishop William Curlin appointed Reverend Monsignor John J. McSweeney as the third pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church. Under Monsignor McSweeney’s guidance, plans were developed to accommodate the parish’s continued growth. In 2003, the parish completed a new Daily Mass Chapel, Ministry Building (the New Life Center), Education Building (used by St. Matthew Catholic School), columbarium, and expanded parking. Monsignor McSweeney retired in July 2017 after serving as pastor of St. Matthew for 18 years.
In July 2017, Bishop Peter Jugis appointed Father Patrick T. Hoare as the fourth pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church. Father Pat celebrated his first Mass as pastor on July 23, 2017.
Today, St. Matthew serves over 11,852 registered households and 38,236 registered members!