1911 - St. Matthew parish's first two masses were celebrated in an empty store on S. Saginaw St.

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1911 - Rev. Father Michael J. Comerford was sent to St. Matthew as the first pastor.

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1911 - The new parish purchased property on West Third and Beach street for $12,000. 

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1913 - Additional land was purchased and a school building was built.

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1916 - Fr. Comerford became ill and died. Father Thomas G, Hennessey came to St. Matthews.

 

1916 - City of Flint seized and eventually purchased the church property. The parish purchased the present site of the Church through another transaction with the city.

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1919 - Ground broke for a new church. The cornerstone was laid on November 2. 

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1920 - First mass celebrated in the new church basement for Ash Wednesday.

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1920 - Father Francis W. McQueen became St. Matthew's third pastor.

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1920 to 1926 - A school building was built, building of the church was completed, and additions to the church rectory and convent were made. 

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1926 - Fr. McQueen resigned. The parish was in debt for half-million dollars, and the Augustinian order was asked to take charge of the parish.

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1926 - The Augustinians sent Father Mortimer A Sullivan, O.S.A., to be St. Matthew's fourth pastor.

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1927 - The present church pews were installed.

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1928 - Marble altars were added just prior to Holy Week. Organ was first used on Christmas.

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1929 - The Augustinian Provincial Chapter transferred Father Sullivan to Long Island and later elected him Provincial of the Augustinian Order.

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1929 - St. Matthew had a new Augustinian pastor, Father Luke M. Powers, O.S.A..

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1930 - Stained glass windows, donated by parishioners and societies, were installed.

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1941 - St. Matthew's celebrated the 30th anniversary of the parish.

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1950 - Fr. Powers eliminated the debt of a half-million and spent an additional $75,000 to redecorate the church, giving it majesty. 

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1955 to 1960 - Fr. Powers acquired additional property on Fourth and Church streets and had 3 buildings built: convent (1955), a field house (1958), and a rectory (1960).

 

1962 - Fr. Powers purchased a wooden altar so priests could celebrate mass facing the congregation. 

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1966 - Fr. Powers retires due to decline in his health. Father Ambrose J. Godsil became the new pastor.

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1966 to 1980 - Fr. Godsil guided the parish in liturgical renewal. 

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1980 - Father Joseph F. Hartman, O.S.A., assumed the pastorate. 

 

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 Information was obtained from "St. Matthew Church History, 1911-1986" 

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