Our Story

Welcome to Saint Matthew's Cathedral.

We are a group of people who are excited about our future, proud of our past, and passionate about what God is doing among us right now. We invite you to become a part of our journey with God through the East Dallas area.

Where we come from

Saint Matthew's has been a cornerstone in old East Dallas for the last 150 years, and we plan to be for at least 150 more. In 1856, the Reverend George Rottenstein began worshipping with a group of people on the second floor of a general store in the infant city of Dallas. The next year that small congregation became the Episcopal Church of Saint Matthew. Since that time we have seen East Dallas grow and change in tremendous ways, and we have grown with the city, offering the ministry of Christ to Dallas residents in community service, worship, teaching, preaching, and fellowship.

Where we are going

We believe that where we are going can be summed up in three words: Christ, Compassion, and Community.

We are a people reaching up to CHRIST: He is God in human form, and the source and reason for all we do at Saint Matt's. We experience Jesus Christ in worship, as he becomes present to us in the songs we sing, the Word we proclaim, and the ancient rituals we practice. As this Christ becomes more and more real to us in worship, we seek to make Him real to the world outside our doors, by being His hands and feet in East Dallas.

We are a people reaching out in COMPASSION: We seek to embody Christ to our city through acts of Love to our neighbors. We reach out to neighborhood children through our preschool, summer day camp, and Sunday school. We reach out to the needy through our food pantry, Pre-GED education, and public service projects. And we are always looking for new ways to reach out, as God brings new people and new vision to our Community.

We are a people reaching in to each other as a COMMUNITY: We are here to provide a safe oasis in the urban desert, where people who thirst for real relationships in this dry and superficial world can find authentic community. We provide a place for everyone to be who they really are, and to find real life, true purpose, and unfailing Love in Christ.

How you can join us

It's simple. Come as you are, warts and all. Join us for worship. Join us for service. Join us for fellowship. Just join us. As one of the writers of the Bible says "Taste and see that the Lord is good.”