About Us

Brief History of St. Matthias'

St. Matthias’ began in 1886 with seven families and twenty-seven individuals in attendance as a Mission Station of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. During its early life, the small congregation met in the home of a Parish family and then in the Methodist Church.

St. Matthias’ was a Missionary Status Church until 1910, when it became an Organized Mission. In 1915, it became an Aided Parish; and at the Diocesan Council of 1975, the congregation was welcomed into Full Parish Status with the Diocese of Atlanta. The church is called “St. Matthias,” to commemorate the date of consecration of the Rt. Rev. Cleland K. Nelson, third Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia (later first Bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta). We were also named in honor of the first Apostle who was selected after the founding of the Christian Church.

The first church building, at the corner of Currahee and Alexander Streets in Toccoa, was a wooden building based on a design furnished by the Bishop and was in the style known as Carpenter’s Gothic. It was consecrated in 1896 and cost $2000. The building was sold in 1944.

A new church was built. After meeting in the Toccoa Woman’s Club building during construction, the first service was held at 995 East Tugalo Street on October 5, 1947.

A rectory across from the church was purchased in 1948 and has since been sold.

A public Labryinth is now in the space that was the church.

A church school building was constructed in 1961. The “stone house” and surrounding land were purchased in 1983. The “white house” adjacent to the new church parking lot was purchased in 2000, and this presently contains the church office.

In June 1998, St. Matthias’ Church was damaged by fire. The congregation met in the new parish hall, which
had been constructed in 1997, until the new church could be built.

The church fire was a milestone in the activity of our membership. Leaders continued their roles and new persons stepped forward to become more active and supportive in any needed way. The old church “shell” was saved and remodeled. It now contains a hand-painted labyrinth and is called “the chapel.”

On February 24, 2001, the new church was dedicated. It is constructed of brick matching in color and design that of the parish hall and the chapel.

This history represents years of devoted service by many Bishops, Priests, and Lay Persons who have raised attendance from t

wenty-seven to the present Sunday average of 100 persons who worship in St. Matthias’ Church.

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