HISTORY

Please see bottom of page for links to History Vignettes that have been presented during Sunday morning services each summer, thanks to the work of a few members of the congregation, as well as the original Tender Contract for St. Matthew's.

THE PAST
St. Matthew's was originally called Mather's Church, but it soon became known as the Protestant Dissenting Church. This name held until 1814, when it was often called the Presbyterian Church. After 1820 it became known as St. Matthew's Presbyterian Church, and the congregation kept that name until it became a member of the United Church of Canada in 1925 – it has been St. Matthew's United Church since that time.

Application was made to Lord Edward Cornwallis for a Protestant Dissenting Church in 1749, the year of Halifax’s founding, and on Dec. 20 of that year the council granted a church site at the downtown corner of what is still Hollis and Prince streets. This most desirable location consisted of four lots granted to four single men who had made no effort to erect dwellings. The building of the church commenced in 1753 and in 1754 the Halifax Council voted the congregation £400 from the public expense account. The church was completed in 1754. From 1750 until 1754 when the church was opened, the congregation met for worship in St. Paul's Church (Anglican). In the morning people went to St. Paul's to hear Rev. John Breynton or Rev. W. Tutty in a service that lasted approximately three hours. In the afternoon, the same people attended the Dissenter's service with Rev. Aaron Cleveland, their first minister, preaching. Rev. Cleveland was offered a piece of land at the corner of Barrington and Morris, but after three years with the Dissenters, he went to England and joined the Anglican Church.

The Glebe Land
One of the congregation’s favorite historical myths involved the granting and loss of land known as the Glebe Land. In 1751 the congregation was granted 65 acres of land between Oxford Street and the North West Arm in the area now bounded by South Street and Jubilee Road. In the summer of 1775 the minister of St. Matthew's was Rev. John Seccombe. He was very outspoken about his sympathy with the leaders of the American Revolution, and during the summer a member of the navy and another of the military attended a service where they heard Rev. Seccombe pray for the cause of the rebels, then speak openly in their favour. On Monday he was brought before the Council and charged with uttering treasonable thoughts in sermon and prayer. He escaped with a severe warning, but at about the same time the Glebe Lands of the congregation were taken and given to Major-General John Campbell. Three members of the congregation, prominent businessmen named Malachi Salter, John Fillis, and W. Smith, were also charged with treason, tried and acquitted. Years later the congregation appealed to the Council for the return of the land. The application was turned down, but the equivalent acreage was offered in the Armdale area. This was refused and further applications by the church were ignored. Had the land remained church property until today it would be worth many million dollars. The congregation liked to say that Rev. John Seccombe preached the most expensive sermon ever heard in Halifax, although records show that actually the land was regranted because the congregation had not bothered to improve it.

Treaty of Peace
More and more Presbyterians joined the congregation until in 1783 there was open war between them and the Congregationalists, as the Dissenters of the milder type were then known. The battle lasted three years. The Dissenters wanted to call preachers of their choice from the New England States; the Presbyterians wanted a minister sent from Scotland. The Congregationalists wanted to sing the hymns of Isaac Watts; the Presbyterians wanted Psalms only. The Congregationalists wanted communion monthly; the Presbyterians wanted it once a year. The dispute was settled in a Treaty of Peace, signed Jan. 16, 1787. Hymns were to be sung, the minister would be sent from Scotland, and there would be communion four times a year. Regarding the latter, it was on early record that taverns sold rum on Sundays – and two Presbyterian elders were noted for serving communion in the morning and selling rum in the afternoon!

Cold comfort
It was very cold in the church during the winter months, as there was no heat whatsoever. The minister wore a long, heavy cloak over his regular attire, a heavy lined hood and fur mittens. Men attending church were so bundled and wrapped with scarves they could barely walk in. Women wore up to seven petticoats, many shawls and capes, and woollen gloves. The more wealthy had servants to carry in foot warmers made of iron that held live coals. Others had heated bricks wrapped in blankets to supply warmth. Three women had fat poodles they brought to church and used as foot warmers. In 1795 fashions changed. Women wore but one petticoat, cotton instead of woollen hose, low shoes instead of ankle-high laced footwear, and low-necked gowns. Women caught cold and died from chills taken in church, so a stove was installed on either side of the sanctuary and stoked the night before a service to heat the building.

Services in those days were very long. A sermon could last one-and-a-half hours. Prayers, for which the congregation stood, lasted from 40 minutes to an hour. An intermission was always given halfway through the prayer so that the infirmed might sit and be rested.

There was no Garrison Chapel in Halifax for years, so the military sat in the gallery at St. Matthew's – soldiers on the right, artillery and engineers on the left. As the artillery wore white starched trousers and blue jackets with long tails, they made a fine appearance – but if the men were out late on Saturday night, the long service was apt to make them sleepy. A Sergeant-Major always stood in the centre of the gallery with a big pole, which he used to prod awake any unfortunate who started to snore.

Pew rents
The best pews in St. Matthew's, which rented for $144 per year, were to the left and right of the sanctuary against the walls. Those next to them rented for $100 per year. In the centre were long benches without backs, which were free seats for the poor and for single women and men. Pew rents were paid quarterly and if payments were not on time, the pew was auctioned. During the period from 1784 to 1850 all the leading businessmen of the town attended St. Matthew's and a man's credit in Halifax was judged by where he sat in the church.

Saving the best for last?
In the period 1784-1857 morning service at St. Matthew's began at 9 a.m. with a recital of the bills on hand asking for remembrances in prayers. A member might ask the congregation to pray for his wife, mother or child who was ailing. Another might ask for prayers on behalf of members of the family at sea, or prayers for a son or brother gone to the United States and not heard from. As the Bible chapter was read, it was explained verse by verse, and that might take the better part of an hour. Afternoon service began at 2 p.m. and it was then that matters of offenses were heard. The minister would read from the pulpit charges of slander. Mrs. White might accuse Mrs. Black of spreading false rumours, and would have witnesses to back her statements. Mrs. Black, if she had any hint of such proceedings, would have her own witnesses. After slander cases came cases of debt: one member would name another who owed him but would not pay. Third were charges of flirtation: a wife would charge another of flirting with her husband. Last in the list were charges of drunkenness, and these were mostly made by the minister.

The church was burned on New Year's Day in 1857 along with many other buildings. The congregation wished a new location nearer the residential area and purchased the site of an orphanage from Bishop Binney, the site of the present church near the corner of Barrington Street and Spring Garden Road.

Plain Jane
The choir sang in the gallery and was trained by Mr. Henry Hill. He had three beautiful daughters who were good singers, and also Jane, who was not beautiful and who could not sing. The minister then was a young bachelor who admired one of the trio of beautiful singers to such an extent that he often gave out the hymn beginning “Unto the hills around do I lift up my longing eyes.” The congregation enjoyed such moments, but Henry Hill frowned on the young man, who was not highly paid. One summer evening, Mr. Hill dozed through the sermon, began dreaming, and was nudged awake as the hymn was once more announced. In his fuddled state he shouted: "It'll be Jane or none!"

Original material compiled by Dr. William R. Bird,
a notable Nova Scotian author and historian

THE PRESENT

A Downtown Church
Today St. Matthew's finds itself in a new role and place in the society around it. Its physical community and local demographic has changed quite drastically from the heydays of the 1800s and 1900s. The church, the classic example of a "downtown" urban church, is now surrounded by a fast-moving business district and even faster moving populus. In 1999, when the congregation had served this area for 250 years, it actively sought new ways to honour and open a tradition of faith deeply rooted in the community. The members took it upon themselves to offer a new relevance for their facilities and spirituality. The oldest United Church of Canada in the country began moving in a new direction with an exciting process of celebration and renewal.

Celebration and Renewal

The members and ministry leaders of the congregation reach out to the surrounding community to share and hear the Good News of Christ through traditional and contemporary means. Through worship and social outreach a deep caring for each individual’s spiritual growth is expressed. The accomplishments and faith of more than 250 years are celebrated, and an active program of renewal has been initiated to embark on the next 250 years.

At the end of the 20th century when the church was celebrating its 250th anniversary, two creative projects were initiated to enhance and celebrate the congregation and church. The first was a history of St. Matthew's written to commemorate the historic church and its role in the community; A Sentinal on the Street is still available at the church. The second project, a triptych tapestry that hangs in the sanctuary, was created – everyone who was a member at the time contributed at least one stitch. The three panels of the tapestry depict the history and growth of the congregation throughout the years.

A community outreach Anniversary Project was also sponsored in partnership with Halifax’s local Habitat For Humanity affiliate. Through financial, material and physical contributions, St. Matthew's helped build a home in the Halifax Regional Municipality for a family who otherwise would not have had access to this kind of living arrangement.

Rebuilding
The renewal process included a new look for the building, the music, and the ministry. The Christian Education Centre was completely rebuilt with four Sunday School rooms (two of which are computer-ready), a nursery, a boardroom, a refurbished mid-week day care centre with office and kitchen, and a Green Room, used as a drama lounge and library. The stage and gymnasium also were refurbished.
The physical rebuilding did not stop there. Space for The Scots Highland Company (an experiential youth initiative for boys 12-16) was created under the stage, ministers’ offices were refurbished, and the sanctuary and narthex were redecorated. The chancel was also redesigned so the space could be flexible for worship and community events; a stage floor was created and everything in the chancel – including the organ and choir pews – is now moveable.

Music
The 1921 Casavant organ was completely rebuilt in the late 1990s to eliminate redundant stops and give it a brighter sound, a moveable console, electronic pre-settings and computer compatibility. The pipes and console were sent back to Casavant Frères in Ste. Hyacinthe, Que., for restoration, and the congregation was delighted to welcome back “the finest romantic organ in the city” in October 1998. The sanctuary acoustics were also improved to enhance the rich music from the organ, ever-growing choir and other performers using the stage.
The United Church hymnal Voices United has opened many doors to the old favorite hymns and new images of faith. A magnificent balance of traditional sacred music and contemporary musical expressions of faith enriches the worship and spirit of the community. All this work continues on guided by the talented leadership of our music director, choir members, and a myriad of musical volunteers.

Ministry
In addition to reaffirming its commitment to worship and pastoral ministry, the congregation welcomed a part-time ordained minister to work in the areas of youth and young adult outreach (18-35 year-olds) and Christian education (children and teens). In all of these areas of ministry new and exciting programs are being explored. This work is supported, guided, and implemented with the input and untold energy of countless members of the congregation. In the midst of a committed community of faith we are attempting to open our church and tradition to a new generation.

THE FUTURE
St. Matthew's has not been untouched by the give and take of the church in our age. We seek to move faithfully forward, valuing the gifts and wisdom of those who have gone before while opening ourselves to the energy, experience, and creativity of those to come. This process of celebration and renewal is made possible through the faithful gifts and forbearance of past generations matched with the devoted energy and vision of the present faithful.

Our church is not alone in the world. St. Matthew's is taking steps, small ones and larger ones, to open its doors and justly serve all of God's people, as Christ called us to do in the midst of this world. Together we look to the future with excitement and faith – excitement for the new face of the congregation's worship and outreach, and faith in our God who gives life in both Christ, who gave his life for us, and in Holy Spirit, continuing to guide us into the days ahead.

LINKS TO HISTORY VIGNETTES

These documents are all in Adobe Acrobat format; if you don't already have it, you will need to download a copy of the free reader from Adobe. You can get it here:

The Tender Contract for St. Matthews 1858
Losing Their Maiden Names History Vignette
Music at St. Matt's History Vignette
Royal Opportunity History Vignette
Second World War History Vignette
St. Matts in WWII - Other stories History Vignette
The Comfortable Pew History Vignette
The North British Society History Vignette
The Church Hall
Evelyn Peckham
George Cluett
Role of the Organ
George Monro Grant 1
George Monro Grant 2
George Monro Grant 3
George Monro Grant 4
George Monro Grant 5
Organists of St. Matthew's
Old Burying Ground
Financing St. Matthew's
The Fire and the New Building
Joining the United Church of Canada
The Treaty of Peace
Debts or Trespasses?