In September of 1962, in God’s plan, Pastor Haywood Jones, Jr. and First Lady Sarah Catherine Jones founded St. Matthew's Pentecostal Holiness Church. They were able to purchase the exact location where we are located today. God blessed their sincere desire to establish a church on the corner of Hollywood Road and McIntosh Road by covering them with the Holy Ghost. God turned the invisible into the visible and blessed Pastor Haywood and First Lady Sarah C. Jones with a handful of dedicated Holy-Ghost filled family members and friends. These core members established the foundation of what is now St. Matthew's Pentecostal Church.

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After a year into this supreme labor of love for the Lord, Pastor Haywood Jones Jr., was called home to be with the Lord in 1963. Rev. William Latimore remained at St. Matthew's to Pastor the church with his wife and grandchildren until he was called home to be with the Lord in 1965. During the fourteen year period from 1965 until 1979, the church continued on with the pillars of the Church, Mother Catherine Jones and Sister Margaret M. Cutchember. Mother Catherine Jones (known and beloved as Sister Clay), spearheaded the building of this church as you see it today by selling dinners and having various fundraisers.

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In 1979, under the direction of newly appointed overseer Bishop Ralph E. Green, Elder Randolph A. Strong was appointed Pastor of St. Matthews Free Gospel Church of Christ. The church prospered greatly under Pastor Strong’s leadership with divine guidance from heaven. During his tenure as Pastor, he installed 1 Elder, 2 Ministers and 9 Deacons. Countless souls were brought to the Lord by his on fire apostolic preaching and baptism in Jesus doctrine. The church had a number of major improvements under his tenure to include a dining hall addition, a new baptismal pool, and two church vans. Pastor Strong and First Lady Frances Strong, labored together at St. Matthews for over 20 years until Pastor Strong was called to rest in February 2000.

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In the meantime Bishop Green put a process in place for the appointment of a new pastor. Elder Daniel S. Jones and Sister Elsie M. Jones were selected to carry the apostolic torch in Holiness in southern Maryland. On September 9, 2001, Elder Daniel S. Jones was installed as the new pastor of St Matthew’s Free Gospel Church of Christ, a most humble man, full of the Holy Ghost.

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In May 2017 the church went through yet another transition and the church began a search for a new Pastor. The search finally concluded with the selection of Elder John B. Butler (Assistant Pastor at Restoration Free Gospel Church), former Minister and Deacon of St. Matthews Free Gospel, along with his wife Sister Marie Butler, on March 24, 2018. The installation of the man of God was a joyous occasion and full of the Holy Ghost, presided over by Bishop David Myrick from Holy Temple Church of Christ.

 

God has smiled on us and given us the opportunity for rebirth. A rebirth under the leadership of Pastor Butler, who started his relationship with God under the roof that was born from the vision of Pastor Haywood Jones; a rebirth indeed! Today the church is growing by leaps and bounds through the blessings of God, with new souls being added to the kingdom continuously. St. Matthew Pentecostal Church is preparing to do great things with the church and its surrounding grounds to absorb the expansion that God will provide. The corner of McIntosh and Hollywood Road will be the vehicle by which the Lord will move through the community, saving souls and changing lives. We are excited about the move of God!