St. Matthew's Church, Singapore

Saint Matthew's Church (Chinese: 圣马太堂) is a local Anglican church in Singapore, one of the 26 Anglican parishes in the nation.

Vision

To "D.A.R.E." for the Lord Jesus Christ so as to grow a community that continues to glorify Him. ("D"isciple; "A"lign; "R"each out; "E"xalt [God] )

Current Status Summary

As of 2007, St Matthew's Church, in her 105th year, has both English and Mandarin congregations, serving people from all parts of the island. After about 77 years at Neil Road, she re-located to Eng Hoon Street in Tiong Bahru in 2006. Begun as a Cantonese congregation, Chinese Singaporeans are still the majority, although the Cantonese congregation has moved to St. Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore.

The total church population is estimated to be about 400. There are about 170 English-speaking persons (including English-speaking Chinese) in the English congregation, and about 120 Mandarin-speaking Chinese in the Mandarin congregation. There are on average 28 youth in the English Youth Service and the same number of children in the English Children's Ministry. The Mandarin Youth Fellowship has 6 youth and the Mandarin Children's Ministry an average attendance of 9 children.

History

The St Matthew's Church Chinese congregation has the longest history among all the congregations within the Anglican Diocese of Singapore. [The Venerable Seow Chai Pin, Archdeacon of Singapore: "St Matthew's 100", page 3.]

Founding

St Matthew's Church was founded on 29 September, 1902, beginning as a Cantonese-speaking Chinese congregation under St. Peter's Church, Singapore.

First Building

During World War II

Historically, the Neil Road site and the present site were near two of the places used to gather and screen Chinese men aged 18 to 55 for the Sook Ching massacre in 1942: the present Police Cantonment Complex, and the area between Singapore General Hospital and Tiong Bahru Road.

econd Building

After World War II, a second building was constructed at Neil Road, which expanded to include a kindergarten.

Third Building

The present building at 1K Eng Hoon Street was dedicated to the glory of God on 7 May 2006 by the Most Reverend Dr John Chew Hiang Chea (周贤正大主教), who is the 3rd Archbishop of the Church of the Province of South East Asia as well as the 9th Bishop of Singapore.

Pastors & Staff

*Revd Stephen Lim Thiam Yew (林添友牧正) - Vicar
*Revd Thong Tang Hiong (汤郑雄牧师) - Priest (Mandarin congregation)
*Mr Anthony Fong - Administrative Officer
*Ms Cindy Yam - Administrative Staff

Sources

*
* [http://www.anglican.org.sg/parish.html Directory of Churches in The Diocese of Singapore website]
* [http://smcsingapore.blogspot.com Information Board on St Matthew's Church]
* National Council of Churches of Singapore, "A Guide To Churches & Christian Organisations in Singapore 2005-2006", page 15
* "St Matthew's 100" (St Matthew's Church Annual, 2002)
* "St Matthew's Church 98th Anniversary" (St Matthew's Church Annual, Sep 2000)

Notes