1844 was the year of the great flood. In June, the Missouri River
spread from bluff to bluff. The water covered all but the highest ground in the bottoms. In such times, people
always turn to God for guidance. As the waters receded, the people viewed the devastation of their homes and crops and,
after prayful consideration, determined to establish a church in the community. The church was organized the same year,
and was originally called the German Evangelical Church. This was changed in 1851 to St Peter's Evangelical Church.
In 1865 the congregation was admitted to the Evangelical Synod of North America and the name was changed once more to St Matthew's
Evangelical Church.
St Peter's Church, as it was then called, was first served by Circuit minister,
the Rev. Conrad Heckman, who was born in Bissendorf, Germany and educated in Totterdam, Holland. In a letter of the
day, he tells of his work:
"Though the weather has been stormy, and the rivers sometimes high,
I have still been enabled to meet all the appointments in my widely extended circuit My heart feels grateful to
God who has kept and guided me, and has given me such good health. I never supposed I could undergo such hardships;
but God's promise has been verified, 'My grace is sufficient for thee.' I have administered the sacraments in all my
appointments this quarter . . ."
God has "kept and guided" St Matthew's for over 160 years.
And while the weather has at times "been stormy," He reminds us still, "My grace is sufficient for thee."
If you are seeking a church home that combines warm Christian fellowship
with sound biblical teaching, we invite you to consider St Matthew's.
We would welcome your becoming a part
of this fellowship today and a piece of its history tomorrow.
