History of St. Matthew’s
A Historical Overview
Nestled in the scenic landscape of Kenosha, Wisconsin, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church holds a distinguished place in the community’s heart and history. Founded in 1840, it stands as the oldest church in Kenosha, with an architectural narrative that mirrors the evolution of this vibrant city. Every corner of this church tells a story, making it a cherished landmark for residents and visitors alike.
Nestled in the scenic landscape of Kenosha, Wisconsin, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church holds a distinguished place in the community’s heart and history. Founded in 1840, it stands as the oldest church in Kenosha, with an architectural narrative that mirrors the evolution of this vibrant city. Every corner of this church tells a story, making it a cherished landmark for residents and visitors alike.
St. Matthew’s Episcopal congregation was organized in 1840, marking it as the fourth Episcopal church in the old Northwest Territory. Originally, our church building was situated where the county courthouse now stands. A.H. Ellwood, an architect from Aurora, Illinois, known for his expertise in designing churches, schools, and public buildings, was chosen to create our current structure. Completed in 1879, it is known for its Gothic Revival style, constructed from Joliet (Illinois) and Racine (Wisconsin) limestone. Ellwood’s design uniquely captures historic Gothic architectural details, far beyond what is typical of this period.
The building features striking rusticated stonework laid in a random ashlar pattern with dressed stone trim. The nave showcases a steeply pitched gable roof, and side aisles are covered by shed roofs. The west façade is adorned with wall buttresses that rise above the roof line, embellished with stone finials, and reinforces flying buttresses at each corner, along with a clock, a louvered belfry, and a parapet that boasts battlements. The building also includes a polygonal apse on the north façade, a sacristy wing on the west, and a chapel wing extending from the east. Notably, in 1987, we replaced the large Gothic windows on the south façade with contemporary stained glass windows.
1842 Church
Nestled in the scenic landscape of Kenosha, Wisconsin, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church holds a distinguished place in the community’s heart and history. Founded in 1840, it stands as the oldest church in Kenosha, with an architectural narrative that mirrors the evolution of this vibrant city. Every corner of this church tells a story, making it a cherished landmark for residents and visitors alike.
1872 Church
The construction of our current church building began in 1872 and reached completion in 1879, making it the oldest church building in Kenosha County. We proudly stand at 5900 7th Avenue, right in the heart of the beautiful and historic Library Park.
The installation of the new bells coincided with the addition of the Seth Thomas Tower Clock, also installed in 1894. This strategic decision reflects the congregation’s desire to synchronize the bell system with the clock, creating a harmonious experience for churchgoers and local residents alike. Together, the clock and bells became significant features of St. Matthew’s, enhancing the church’s architectural beauty and symbolizing the community’s commitment to faith and tradition.
All Are Welcome
At St. Matthew’s, we are devoted to loving our neighbors and upholding the dignity of every individual. Our church has a long-standing tradition of outreach and service to the Kenosha community through various ministries. We hold music dear to our hearts as an essential aspect of our spiritual life, believing wholeheartedly in making a joyful noise to the Lord.
Our Sunday worship centers around the celebration of Holy Eucharist, often referred to as the Mass. We are currently working on revamping our Christian Formation programs to cater to all age groups, from the littlest ones to our elders. The involvement of laypeople in governance and ministry is vital to our church’s fabric.
We take pride in our spirit of hospitality, warmly welcoming all to come, meet Jesus, know Him, and follow Him. We are individuals just like you and invite you to join our faith-filled, friendly community. As our church motto articulates, “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You.”
Historical information from the Library Park Historic District, Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Kenosha, Wisconsin, HI9500 website.