On August 18, 1943, Archbishop Edward F. Hoban established the seventeenth parish in Akron – the Parish of Saint Matthew. The Reverend Robert R. Wingerter was appointed as the founding pastor. The first Mass was offered on Sunday, September 12, 1943 in the auditorium of the former Ellet High School, currently Ritzman Elementary School. Mass was celebrated there until 1946.

Charles and Salome Reymann donated about two and one-half acres of land for the site of our parish. The plot of land is located east of Canton Road, between Berne and Benton Streets, with Woolf Street as the eastern boundary. The first building was completed in the fall of 1946; a Church and meeting hall (our present library now occupies part of this space). The first Mass was celebrated in the Church on November 11, 1946.

On September 7, 1949, Saint Matthew Parish School opened its doors for the first time. The convent for the Sisters of St. Dominic was completed shortly after the school opened. Our present Church and an addition to the school were completed in 1956. In 1960 the present rectory was completed. The most recent building addition, the social hall, was completed in 1980 and renamed in 1990 the Father Silva Center, in honor of our fourth pastor.

Pastors of St. Matthew Parish:

Rev. Robert Wingerter 1943 - 1965

Rev. James Hart 1962 - 1968

Rev. Stephen Marjenin 1968 - 1975

Rev. David Silva 1975 - 1986

Rev. James Schorr 1986 - 1988

Rev. Thomas McGovern 1988 - 2002

Rev. G. Michael Williamson  2002 - 

Associate Pastors of St. Matthew Parish:

Rev. Robert Teknipp 1946 - 1950

Rev. Raymond Smith 1950 - 1955

Rev. David Silva 1955 - 1960

Rev. John Anderson 1960 - 1960

Rev. Edward McCoy 1960 - 1965

Rev. William Lyons 1962 - 1967

Rev. Gerald Keller 1965 - 1970

Rev. Thomas Gilles 1965 - 1972

Rev. Thomas Ribich 1970 - 1974

Rev. Charles Delinsky 1970 - 1972

Rev. J. Norman Riley 1973 - 1975

Rev. Ronald Turek 1974 - 1979

Rev. Joseph Costello 1975 - 1980

Rev. Dennis McNeil 1981 - 1987

Rev. William Lyons 1980 - 2000

Rev. Rudy Polovich 1987 - 1990

Rev. Thomas Kowatch 1990 - 1995

Rev. David Durkee 1995 - 1996

Through the Parish Pastoral Council, the people, along with those who share in the pastoral care of the parish, council the pastor in fostering pastoral activity. The Pastoral Council meets regularly, usually each month. The pastor receives advice of the members on matters he brings to them and they, in turn, bring to the pastor concerns from fellow parishioners. Members are chosen in the spring of each year and are drawn from the leaders of various parish organizations and parishioners-at-large.

We, the community of Saint Matthew Parish, are a people who proclaim and reach out with the Good News to all. As Catholic Christians, we celebrate our redemption in prayer, Word, Sacrament and service. We commit ourselves to be an expression of God’s love to one another, using the gifts He has given to us by providing leadership, educating our youth, offering fellowship and giving hope to the broken hearted. We rely upon the Holy Spirit to empower us as we joyfully accept Jesus’ call to share in His ministry.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO THE CHURCH:

Please note that the church and school parking lots are located at the corners of Berne Street and Wolf Avenue. The parish business office and rectory are located one block north of Berne Street, at 2603 Benton Street.

From the West:  Take the Akron Expressway East (Rout 77S) to the central interchange.  Then take route 76 East (that is continue straight) to the East Market St./ Mogadore Rd. exit.  Turn Right onto East Market St. Remain on East Market St. to the sharp right turn where it now becomes Canton Rd.  Three blocks after the hard right turn, there is a school crossing sign suspended across the road.  This is Berne St.  Turn left onto Berne St. 

From the East: As you approach, heading West on Route 76, exit onto East Market St./ Mogadore Rd.  Turn Left on East Market St. Remain on East Market St. to the sharp right turn where it now becomes Canton Rd.  Three blocks after the hard right turn there is a school crossing sign suspended across the road.  This is Berne St.  Turn left onto Berne St. 

From the South: Take Route 77 North to the Central Interchange then take Route 76 East.  Exit at East Market St./ Mogadore Rd.  Turn Right onto East Market St. Remain on East Market St. to the sharp right turn where it now becomes Canton Rd.  Three blocks after the hard right turn, there is a school crossing sign suspended across the road.  This is Berne St.  Turn left onto Berne St. 

From the North: Take the Akron Expressway (Rt. 8) South, to the Central Interchange.  Take Route 76 East to the East Market St./ Mogadore Rd. exit. Turn Right onto East Market St. Remain on East Market St. to the sharp right turn where it now becomes Canton Rd.  Three blocks after the hard right turn, there is a school crossing sign suspended across the road.  This is Bern St.  Turn left onto Bern St.