Church site 4: St Matt's history

Snapshots from the past
Source: Giles, K. (ed.) (1988), St Matthew's Church: An Historical Record, 1848-1988 (Adelaide: St Matthew's)

Snapshot: 1930s-1950s
For years, the church has been struggling to respond to cultural upheavals around it. However, Australians belong to a culture where church attendance is still the norm.

• Harold Giles (rector) works passionately for social justice, setting up an Industrial Christian Fellowship group during the Depression
• Choir thrives; choir members are kept in line by Miss Wedd
• 1939: 120 young men affiliated with St Matt's fight in the Second World War, 18 are killed
• 1941: Education Act allows children in public schools to be taught by clergy for half an hour each week

Snapshot: 1950s-1960s
During this period, a large number of Australians continue to attend church as a weekly custom. The evangelical character of St Matt's is consolidated while Theo J Hayman is rector (1957-1966), and the church trebles in size. In one year, 96 adults and young people are confirmed. Theo Hayman runs five Sunday gatherings, including a 9.30am mini-service to engage with parents who drop their children off at the institution known as Sunday School.

• 1956: 263 children enrolled in Sunday School
• 1958: Weekly news sheet first used
• 1959: Billy Graham crusade at Wayville Showgrounds, with St Matt's being one of a few Anglican churches to show interest
• 1966: Church hall completed, including the first on-site kitchen
• 1963: Organ rebuilt

Snapshot: 1970s
Australian church attendance is now in decline. On Sundays at St Matt's, there are three morning services and an evening service. Monthly youth services and family services begin. Young adults form a Friday night gathering called Koinonia. Women's mid-week groups include Mothers' Union groups and Young Wives' Group. A few changes are made to church services but they largely retain their traditional format.

• 1972: To remove or not to remove? A fig tree in the courtyard becomes the topic of divisive debates that continue over seven years (tree removed 1981)
• 1974: The introduction of a great Australian church institution: the weekly post-service morning tea
• 1975: Women are first allowed to be involved in parish council but not permitted to vote
• 1976: Financial crisis is narrowly avoided; the Diocese allows non-ordained people to help with the Lord's Supper

Snapshot: 1980s
While still involved in Australian society, much of the Christian church has become culturally irrelevant. At St Matt's, Kevin Giles (rector) explains that he is a 'playing coach', not a 'holy man' or 'expert'. He encourages decision-making in which all participate and stresses the importance of small groups. Young people's groups include 'Action Club' (ages 10-12), 'Matt's Group' (ages 12-14), 'Theoz Group' (ages 14-17) and 'Cell Group' (young adults). The young women's 'Know your Bible' group spawns seven new groups.

• 1981: Parish council decides that youth ministry needs a youth worker
• 1982: Youth worker appointed; Summer children's outreach called 'Kids' Week' begins, running programs for over 100 children
• 1983: Youth worker leaves; 4 The Crescent bought
• 1984: Home groups begin; Appointment of new music director reflects shift away from the organ-and-choir format that has been common for generations
• 1986: The declining church of St Mary's Beulah Park combines with St Matt's
• 1988: St Mary's Beulah Park is discontinued 100 years after its opening; Korean Presbyterian Church purchases the building