Sts. George & Matthias Church
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The Episcopal Church of St. George and St. Matthias serves the Pullman and Roseland neighborhoods of the City of Chicago. Located in the Chicago-South Deanery of the Diocese of Chicago, St. George and St. Matthias is a Black Church congregation, comprised mainly of African-American and Carribean-American parishioners.
The church was a merging of St. George (a Black Church congregation) and St. Matthias (an Anglo congregation). After a fire which destroyed St. George's church building, its congregation held services in their rectory. Later, St. George's congregation relocated to St. Matthias' church, merging with their congregation as St. George and St. Matthias Church.
The service of Holy Eucharist is celebrated on Sundays at 10am, as a Rite II service. Musicon Sunday is grounded in the Black Church tradition. Hymnals used include Lift Every Voice and Sing, the African-American Hymnal, and the Hymnal 1982. Under the supervision of the organist and choir director, the choir sings music which enhances the worship experience. The worship and music are both vibrant and participatory.
Every year, St. George and St. Matthias hosts special events or services. The church has hosted concert performances of local musical ensembles. In addition, the church has observed World AIDS Day, and hosts an annual Kwanzaa celebration. Honoring its cultural heritage and history is also incredibly important, as the congregation observes Black History Month in February, and has an annual potluck featuring the global cuisine of its parishioners in its "Taste of St. George and St. Matthias."
Ministries
Fr. Charles Pond Memorial Kitchen Ministry
Founded by the Rev. Canon Gwendolyn J. Dillon, St. George and St. Matthias' Kitchen Ministry has served the local community for over 30 years. The ministry, featured in the Chicago Tribune, continues to feed the hungry, both in body and spirit, by serving a monthly meal preceded by prayers. The Kitchen Ministry is a self-sustaining ministry of St. George and St. Matthias, funded through the generosity of parishioners.
Choir
The church choir of St. George and St. Matthias is composed of volunteers from the congregation. Under the direction of Organist and Choirmaster Ms. Ann Ward, the choir sings at the 10am Sunday Eucharist. The choir leads the congregation in music, taken from a variety of sources including Lift Every Voice and Sing, the African-American Hymnal, and the Hymnal 1982.
The Choir is featured prominently in the church's annual Service of Carols, preceding the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The Choir has also performed for concerts at other churches.
Girl Scouts
St. George and St. Matthias is proud to sponsor and host the Girls Scouts. The Girl Scouts are supervised by church member Ms. E. Rose Sims. The Girl Scouts assist the church in ministry projects, such as the Kitchen Ministry.
Not-Ready-for-Sunday-Morning Players
The Not-Ready-for-Sunday-Morning (NRSM) Players is the acting troupe of the congregation, which performs plays written by the parishioners. The plays are an important part of St. George and St. Matthias' rich cultural tradition in the arts (poetry, music, oratory). The NRSM Players perform an Annual Christmas play, which narrates the Christmas story in a light-hearted way. Other plays done by the NRSM Players have been done for Easter, and also done during Black History Month.
Young(er) Adults
The Young(er) Adults is a group of adult parishioners who meet monthly for fellowship and also collaborate in church ministry initiatives. Every month, the Young(er) Adults host a monthly movie, following the Sunday Eucharist. The group also takes social outings, such as their annual trip to find and harvest the church Christmas Tree.
Sunday Bible Study
The Sunday Bible Study meets prior to the 10am Eucharist. Using the African Bible Study method of reading Scripture, different members of the group read portions of Scripture, followed by discussion and reflection. Bible Study is focused on the themes of the Liturgical Year, but discussions are lively and largely led by the diverse perspectives of parishioners.
Episcopal Church Women
St. George and St. Matthias has an active chapter of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW). Led by parishioner Ms. Ethel Glaze, the church chapter of ECW meets monthly to assist in local church ministry, as well as for service and outreach opportunities. St. George and St. Matthias' ECW outreach has recently included gathering school supplies to distribute to elementary school children in disadvantaged communities.
164 E 111th St
Chicago, IL 60628
United States
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