Welcome to St. Matthew, a progressive, open & affirming Christian community in Wheaton, IL. Church should be a place of safety, not shame. Faith should grow with your questions, not disappear because of them. All are welcome & celebrated.
We believe that God’s love is unconditional and meant for everyone. We follow the teachings of Jesus, not to exclude or judge, but to include, heal, and empower. Serving others is an act of worship.
St. Matthew UCC partners with community groups to meet needs that exist right here in our own backyard, offering needed help, whether through money, labor, leadership or other support.
At St. Matthew, we are here to commune with God. We learn to grow in faith through the teachings of Jesus. We connect with friends and strive to serve with love and kindness to make a difference in our community.
At St. Matthew United Church of Christ, we believe church is more than a place—it’s a family. We’re committed to creating a loving, supportive faith community where people of all ages feel welcomed, accepted, and engaged.
At St. Matthew we care about children, the impoverished, LGBTQ+ community, the environment, the elderly, the unhoused, the hungry, and immigrants. We provide hands-on and financial support to a variety of community agencies.
You deserve a church that sees you, hears you, and welcomes you without question.
At St. Matthew, we are proud to be an Open and Affirming church, celebrating all gender identities, sexual orientations, races, backgrounds, and questions of faith. Whether you’ve been hurt by religion, are exploring your faith, or just want a place to belong, we’re here for you.
We are Christian. We are Open Minded. We are Spiritual. We are Evolving. We invite you to explore our beliefs and join us in our pursuit of living out our faith in boldness and passion.
The founding of St. Matthew in 1959 was part of a UCC denomination push to expand into the “new frontier” of suburban Chicago. The story of our first pastor going door-to-door inviting people to come to church, before we had any physical facilities, is an integral part of our history.
The original Church sanctuary was completed in 1964. The early Church grew and prospered, such that in 1990 – full of faith, confidence, and excitement about its future – the membership successfully raised funds to construct a new sanctuary, which to this day provides a warm and welcoming gathering place for all.