Our history is rich and treasured, in the Anglican tradition, and regrettably we cannot begin to allot the space in this profile that it deserves. The most recent chapter in our long history begins with the departure in 1972 from a lovely and traditional stone church on Danbury Road that had been home to the Parish since its consecration in 1864. It had become increasingly evident in the later 60’s that there was no way to expand the stone structure to meet the needs of a growing congregation. At the same time, a growing congregation of Wilton Presbyterian was worshipping in borrowed school facilities, and beginning to plan for a new church home. Under the leadership of our rector, Roger O. Douglas and the WIlton Presbyterian pastor, Stewart McCall, with strong and highly committed lay leadership, discussions, prayer, planning and fundraising lead to the construction of our current joint facility in 1970-1972. The old stone church was sold to the Wilton Baptist Church in 1971 and remains the home of that congregation today. St. Matthew’s continues to own and use the Cemetery adjacent to its former home.

In September 1971 the members of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and Wilton Presbyterian Church began a “Joint Venture” in which a church complex was build to house both communities and to be a center open to the whole Wilton community. The purpose of this relationship grew out of a time when ecumenism was at the forefront of Christian thought. It was also understood as a way that two congregations could share resources of staff and space, as well as develop joint Christian Education, and Youth groups. Throughout the past 30 years we have worshipped together at various times throughout the church year and engaged in joint outreach projects and fellowship.

The Rev. Stephen D. Parker, a former rector (1978-19993), wrote the following statement:

“At Wilton Presbyterian and St. Matthew’s Episcopal there is almost always an extra sense of excitement. In whatever we do, the presence of the other is always there to encourage, to discourage, to be in dialogue with, to share the fellowship of and to think and pray with. The yoked nature of the two churches has the mysterious strength of the Gospel – ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, I will be in the midst of them.” Two churches, praying and working together bring that kind of positive force into their midst. I believe that even as God challenges us at every turn, so God blesses our union and rejoices in it.

Our “new” facility (hard for some of us to believe is 30 years old) reflects the creativity and prayerful committment necessary to fulfill the vision of the St. Matthew’s and Wilton Presbyterian congregations. A Board of Directors componsed of an equal number of members from each congregation manages the joint property and administers a budget for this purpose to which both churches contribute. This legal and practical and spiritual joint venture was created from both economic need and the desire to share Christian education programs, and offer an opportunity for joint outreach projects and fellowship. It is an ongoing exercise of faith and commitment that has its occasional challenges and frequent blessings.