History of St. Matthew Parish

On Sunday, October 8, 1911, with a piano serving as the altar, the first Mass was celebrated in a store front on South Saginaw. Bishop John Foley appointed Father Michael J. Comerford as the pastor of the newly founded parish. Since the founding of General Motors Corporation, Flint had become a booming city. On October 24, 1911, the parish bought the Henry McIntyre homestead, located at West 3rd St. and Beach. On May 8, 1914, the red brick school building was completed with the first floor serving as the church, the second floor as the school, and the basement as the parish hall. A building was purchased as the convent for the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters who faithfully served the school until its closing in 1970.

In 1916, Fr. Thomas G. Hennessey was named pastor. His first task was to face some stormy transactions and litigation with the city of Flint. Even before construction began on the present Church and school building in 1919, Fr. Hennessey resigned due to ill health and Fr. Francis W. McQueen became the new pastor. The old red brick building became home to the Flint Police Department. The first Mass in the new church building was celebrated on Ash Wednesday, 1920. School began in the new school building that fall.

In 1926, when Fr. McQueen resigned, Bishop Michael Gallagher invited the Augustinians to serve at St. Matthew. Fr. Mortimer A. Sullivan, O.S.A., the first Augustinian pastor, faced with a debt of half million dollars began a fund raising campaign. The Provincial Chapter in 1929 appointed Fr. Luke M. Powers, O.S.A., as the next pastor of St. Matthew parish. For 37 of his 75 years, Fr. Powers served as pastor. The interior of the church was decorated and the stained glass windows installed. Fr. Powers brought the debt ridden parish to being one of the most prosperous. From 1955 to 1960, Fr. Powers acquired additional property and a new convent (1955), field house (1958), and rectory (1960) were built.

Due to ill health in 1966, Fr. Powers resigned and Fr. Ambrose J. Godsil, O.S.A. became the fifth pastor. Fr. Godsil guided the parish through its liturgical renewal. In 1980, after a year as an associate, Fr. Joseph F. Hartman, O.S.A., was made pastor. Fr. Hartman became known as the "Renewal" pastor of the parish. The seventh pastor was Fr. Francis P. Sullivan, O.S.A. He was known for his cheerful and heartwarming disposition. Due to ill health, he was forced to resign in September 1995. He died on November 4 that year. Fr. Donald Brennan assumed responsibility for the parish until Fr. Frederick H. Taggart, O.S.A. could assume his responsibilities as the new pastor that year. In October 1996, Fr. Taggart was joined by Fr. E. Manny Gorra, O.S.A., as a senior priest in residence. Fr. Gorra had once been an associate at the parish. The following August, returning from Poland, Bro. Jerome Sysko, O.S.A., joined the pastoral staff. For almost three quarters of a century the Augustinians have served the parish. Fr. Taggart inaugurated the campaign to "Preserve our Treasure." The Church needed a new roof and to refurbish the water damaged areas in the interior. A new boiler was installed in the church and a handicapped restroom. The Church is one of the most beautiful churches in the area. The Church has a long and glorious history due to its real treasure--the people of St. Matthew parish.