The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-09-22
NINETY YEARS old
st. Matthew's ?. E. Church
Celebrates It's Birthday
Appropriately.
HISTORY OF The CHURCH
A Career of Many Vicissi-
tudes-Clergymen Who
Have Had Charge.

The ninetieth anniversary Of st. Mat
thew's P. e. Church, on Sussex street,
took place last evening, at the church,
with a very large attendance. Among the
visitors were Miss Holmes and Mr.. Kis-
sam, who attended the first S-unday-school
exercises in the church's early days.
The following musical programme was
rendered.
Professional. hymn 90. Tischner; psalm
14S. ]. B~attishiIl; psalm 14s. J. Tarle;
psalm $50, DR.. Cootch; Magnifcat in D.
Toop; Nunc Demittis in D. Toop; hymn
674, Coldbeck; Offertory. Holy Offerings,
Redbund; Recessional, hymn S74, M. @.
]. Elvey.
At the close of the music Archdeacon
Jenvey preached from the text, Jesus
Christ the Same Yesterday and Today"
concluding with some good advice to the
congregation. The sermon was ollowed
by supper, served in the basement by the
members of st. Matthews Guild.
st. Matthews Church is one of the old
est in this city and at one time had some
Of the best known people among its
members, but most of these lave either
died or moved away from the city. 1t
WIS also at tndl llliC OA1C - NA1C
prosperous churches in the city, but 1t
degenerated until a few years ago it was
very nearly on its last legs. However,
through the hard work of the present
pastor, the Rev. Mr.. Judd, who took
charge November s, 1893, it has managed
to improve wonderfully and today stands
among the leading churches of the city.
st. Matthews parish was organized on
August q, 1908. The first services were
held in the Jersey Academy. In 1881 the
corner stone of the church was laid The
edifce then erected was destroyed by fire
in December, 1869. The services were held
in the new building on October 10, 1870
The first rector was Rev. Timothy
Clewes. He was succeeded by Rev
Edward Barry in May, 1909. This pastor
resigned in 1916 and Rev. Clene Jones was
rector until 1924, when Rev. Mr.. Barry
was recalled and served until his death on
April. 1852. Rev. A. c.. Patterson was
assistant rector from 1914 to 1S47; Rev.
Charles Ads, 1S47 to 1919; Rev. James
J. Bowden from June 1s4s to May 1852, and
was rector until June 1853.
Rev. J. Brindon was rector from 1853
to 1866, when w. Al. Matron succeeded
him; Rev. A. c. Abercombie became rector
on January Z, 1872. and continued until
December, 1884. when he died. He was
one of the most popular clergymen in the
Episcopal Church. He was Dean of the
Convocatfon of Northern New Jersey and
his father was rector of Christ Church.
Philadelphia, having among his parish
oners, George Washington.
Rev. w. A. Holbrook took charge in
1884 and continued his passionate until
1890. Rev. Joseph A.. Mock, was rector
from 1890 until 1898, when the Rev. NJ H.
Throop became rector. He was succeed
ed by Rev. VIM. C. Mcclure and Mr..
Mcclure was succeeded by the present
pastor, who is a most energetic in his
efforts to build up the church.
Among the clergymen present last even
ing were-Rev. S. NJ. Rice. D. D., Rev.
w. P. Brush, D. D., Rev. George S. Ben
nitt. d. d, Rev. c.. P. A. Bennitt, A B.,
and Rev. R.. /. G. Sturges