The Collect

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Gospel of Matthew 10:40-42

Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."  

Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Important Dates in the History of St. Matthews

• 1874 - Bishop Greg of the Diocese of Texas divided the state into three jurisdictions:

1. The Diocese of Texas, centered in Austin
2. The Missionary District of Northern Texas, with it's center in Dallas (including the present Diocese of Northwest Texas)  
3. The Missionary District of West Texas   

• 1877 - When Bishop Johnston of West Texas was visiting one of the ranches in his jurisdiction he asked the wife of the rancher if there were any Episcopalians in the vicinity. The good lady said she didn't  know, but her husband had shot some kind of "varmint" the day before and the skin was hanging on the barn door.  The bishop was invited to look if he desired.
        
• 1925 - The first recorded Episcopal service in Pampa was held at the home of Mrs. C.P. Buckler. One child was baptized and two were confirmed by Bishop Seaman.  Other services were   later held in neighboring churches and the funeral parlor.    

• 1928 - On September 21 (St. Matthew's Day) of that year the Mission of St. Matthew's was organized with Mr. M.K. Brown appointed as the first Senior Warden and C. P. Buckler, Treasurer. The Christmas Eucharist was celebrated that year on December 26th in the Music Room of the old Pampa High downtown (where the Bank of America is now located).   
   
• 1955 - On December 27 of that year the first wedding was held in St. Matthews new church.  Miss Margareta Miller and William Lake Arrington were married with the Rev. Wm. E. West officiating.