About | Saint Matthew AME Church

Our scriptural foundation

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."

1 Peter 4:10

Who we are

Kingdom building, together

We are a bible-believing church committed to Kingdom building in Worship, Fellowship, Service, Outreach, Discipleship, Stewardship, and Radical Hospitality. We take pride in offering a powerful, dynamic 9:00 AM service, with Church School for children and adults at 11:00 AM every Sunday.

Saint Matthew is part of the International Connectional AME Church, a member of the First Episcopal District comprising New Jersey, New York, Western New York, New England, Philadelphia, Delaware, and Bermuda conferences.

Our core values

Radical Hospitality Passionate Worship Intentional Faith Development Risk-Taking Mission & Service Extravagant Generosity

Rev. Melvin E. Wilson and Rev. Leslie Wilson, First Lady of Saint Matthew AME Church

Pastor and First Lady

Pastor Melvin & Rev. Leslie Wilson

Rev. Melvin E. Wilson, the eleventh pastor of Saint Matthew, shares in ministry with Rev. Leslie Wilson, First Lady and Minister to Women. Together they lead and champion the charge of Saint Matthew being a Servant Church, grounded in worship, service, and radical hospitality.

Under Pastor Wilson's leadership, the church has made addressing food insecurity a sustained priority. Over the last three years, Saint Matthew has served an average of roughly 3,850 families and distributed more than 132,000 pounds of food each year to neighbors in Orange and beyond.

Rev. Melvin's bio → Rev. Leslie's bio → Meet the full ministry team →

Established in 1942

How Saint Matthew was born

A small group of public and spirit-minded male citizens known as the J. Garfield Tynes Men's Club was organized on May 14, 1941 to render a more efficient type of Christian service in the community. The members were Gardner Smith (Chairman), Charles Congleton, E.L. Edmonson, David Beasley, William Reed, Nolan Dunn, William Weaks, Walter Davis, Clarence Lee, James Carraway, and John Boykin. On June 12, 1942, the ladies united with the men, and out of that union came the Unity Circle.

In the fall of 1942, the club took on a new aspect, and it was decided to form a new church in the Oranges, "To the Glory of God and the African Methodist Episcopal Church." With this in mind, Saint Matthew African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1942 in the home of Mr. Gardner Smith by the Reverend Thomas L. Puryear.

The first service was held November 15, 1942 at St. Luke's Hall, 148 Central Place, Orange. The first pastor was the late Rev. Thomas Puryear, appointed by Bishop David Simms at the 71st Annual Conference; his sermon was "What Is Your Life and Responsibility of a Christian in a Confused World?"

As the church grew it needed larger quarters, and the congregation moved to the Masonic Temple at 89 Parrow Street on December 31, 1942. The first anniversary service was celebrated on November 21, 1943 with Bishop Simms as guest speaker. Services continued there until 1944.

Read our full history →

A Servant Church

A legacy of service & justice

For decades, Saint Matthew has done more than open its doors on Sunday. Under a succession of bold pastors, it has been a force for justice, health, and hope in the City of Orange and across New Jersey.

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Bishop Reginald T. Jackson

9th Pastor · 1981 – 2012

During a 31-year pastorate, the congregation grew from about 75 to more than 2,800. He gave the church its enduring identity as "The Servant Church of the Oranges," launched more than 20 ministries and built two sanctuaries. Leading the Black Ministers Council of New Jersey, his reach stretched beyond the Oranges to more than 600 Black churches statewide, and he helped make New Jersey the first state to criminalize racial profiling. His legacy endures in the ministries, leaders, and sanctuaries he raised up across four decades. He was elevated to the 132nd Bishop of the AME Church.

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Rev. Dr. Lanel D. Guyton

10th Pastor · 2012 – 2018

Appointed in November 2012, Rev. Guyton deepened Saint Matthew's ties on the local, county, and state level, working alongside political leaders and neighbors on initiatives to end violence. He founded the annual "Bridging the Gap" 3-on-3 street ball tournament, drawing teens ages 13 to 18 into fellowship each summer. Under his leadership the church opened its nonprofit, the Community Improvement Association of the Oranges (C.I.A.O.). His tenure brought young people, neighbors, and civic leaders together around the servant mission. A trustee of Essex County College, he was elevated to Presiding Elder in June 2018.

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Rev. Melvin E. Wilson

11th Pastor · 2018 – Present

During the pandemic, Saint Matthew was the first faith-based institution in New Jersey to offer COVID-19 testing and an early vaccination site. Pastor Wilson led the creation of the church's Sensory Room and brought the first mobile hygiene shower unit to neighbors experiencing homelessness. Addressing food insecurity has become a year-round priority: in recent years the church has served an average of about 3,850 families and distributed over 132,000 pounds of food annually. He also serves as chaplain to the New Jersey State Police and Orange fire and police departments.

Saint Matthew's story continues to be written by every member who serves. If you can help us confirm additional milestones for this page, we welcome your input.

Recover · Refresh · Renew · Restore

Our pastors through the years

1942 – 1954

Rev. Thomas Puryear

Founding Pastor

1954 – 1962

Rev. James Choice

Second Pastor

1963 – 1967

Rev. Theodore R. Kelsey

Third Pastor

1967 – 1969

Rev. Sylvester Odom

Fourth Pastor

1969 – 1972

Rev. Booker T. Cartwright

Fifth Pastor

1972

Rev. Frank Williams

Sixth Pastor

1972 – 1973

Rev. John W. Jackson

Interim Pastor

1973 – 1977

Rev. Leroy Attles

Seventh Pastor

1977 – 1981

Rev. Charles E. Martin

Eighth Pastor

1981 – 2012

Rev. Reginald T. Jackson

Ninth Pastor · later elevated to the 132nd Bishop of the AME Church

2012 – 2018

Rev. Dr. Lanel D. Guyton

Tenth Pastor · later elevated to Presiding Elder

2018 – Present

Rev. Melvin E. Wilson

Eleventh Pastor & Teacher

Coming this September

Waves of Hope Grief Ministry

Grief can feel isolating, but no one at Saint Matthew walks through it alone. Launching in September through our Health & Wellness Ministry, Waves of Hope will offer compassionate support and a caring community for those navigating loss.

Learn more or express interest →

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Psalm 147:3

Come and see

There's a seat for you

Join us for Sunday worship at 9:00 AM, or meet our ministry team and find your place to serve.

Autism Friendly Congregation All Are Welcome

Meet our team Get in touch