Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

Seeking to know and love God in every person, here, now.

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You are here: Home / Welcome to SsAM / History of SsAM

History of SsAM

20th Anniversary Video of the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew, Wilmington, Delaware, 2016Here is a brief history of our church, plus links to other history-related posts on this website.

History of Slavery in Delaware. Diane Clarke Streett, a member of SsAM, is one of the authors of this six-page history. In 2010, she was sworn in as the second black woman to serve as a Delaware Superior Court judge.

History of Wilmington Garden Day. An annual tour of gardens and homes to benefit charities in Wilmington, Delaware.

14 Guilding Principles of SsAM. These principles were drafted by the two churches before their consolidation.

A Brief History of SsAM

historyStMatthewsSt. Andrew’s, a predominantly white congregation was founded in 1829. St. Matthew’s, a predominantly black congregation, was founded in 1846. The two had a long history of shared experiences and ministry, beginning with worship as two different churches in the same building.

Both churches had a strong commitment to social justice. St. Andrew’s provided meals and shelter for the homeless. St. Matthew’s founded Wilmington’s first job-training center and a program that guarantees college admission and tuition to 48 middle school students from Wilmington’s east side. Together they established a ministry for the homeless called Sojourner’s Place.

historySignIn 1991, St. Andrew’s approached St. Matthew’s about “doing things together.” This began with joint services on Palm Sunday. Conversations between the two rectors moved to conversations between the vestries, and, in 1993, St. Matthew’s informed St. Andrew’s that its members were open to more in-depth conversation about forming a New Covenant Community. All agreed such a step must bring both witness and strength to Wilmington. They created a new entity “grounded in Christian fellowship, racial diversity, and advocacy for justice.” The new entity was admitted to the diocese as a parish in 1996. Ten years later, in 2006, we celebrated our 10th anniversary with a banquet, a walk back to the old St. Matthew’s, and with many other festivities and services.

Leadership_Casson_medToday the combined congregation worships in the church St. Andrew’s built in 1840 to replace an earlier structure destroyed by fire. Although some alterations have been made, and parish and church school facilities added, the original building has not been greatly modified architecturally. Its tiny churchyard is the only remaining burial spot in center city Wilmington.

These are the guiding principles when the new congregation was developed which are reaffirmed every year. guiding-principles-1994

The brief history seen above appeared in the 1999 calendar published by the National Episcopal Historians and Archivists.

History of Shipley Artists Lofts

In 1997, the Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew and Matthew formed a task force to identify, explore, and recommend options for the development of the five-story vacant building located at 701 Shipley, which it owned. In 2010, the studio living spaces began being rented at 701 Shipley to artists and art professionals.

Worship Services Via Video

We are worshiping together via video on Facebook and YouTube. Click here to learn more about Sunday and weekday services!

25th anniversary logo for the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew, Wilmington, Delaware

NEWS

Monthly Walks for Justice and Peace

First Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Next walk is Friday, March 5! Since June 19, 2020, SsAM and other churches have been sponsoring silent Walks … [Read More...]

Worship With Us Via Video

Use Facebook or YouTube to worship with us this Sunday at 10:00 a.m.! Coffee Hour follows using Zoom. We have gone back to pre-recorded … [Read More...]

Virtual Coffee Hour This Sunday

VIRTUAL COFFEE HOURS Sunday immediately following 10:00 a.m. worship. The Zoom login info was in last Friday’s E-Blast, but you can also … [Read More...]

Continuing the Conversation with Three Wilmington Churches

The members of three Wilmington Churches continue their collaboration on issues of racial justice on Sunday, March 7, at 3:00 p.m. Please … [Read More...]

SsAM 25th Anniversary Continues!

Our next 25th Anniversary Event is Sunday, March 14, at 3:00 p.m. The Zoom program on the 14th of March will continue the exploration of … [Read More...]

Observe a Holy Season Of Lent

How to Observe a Holy Lent during a Pandemic.  I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, … [Read More...]

Vaccinations And Ashes

The Importance of Getting Vaccinated:  The vestry of SsAM and I strongly recommend that you schedule a COVID-19 vaccination when you … [Read More...]

SsAM Presents: Upcoming Events at the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew

Our building is closed but we are busier than ever! Monthly Walks for Justice and Peace First Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Next Walk is Friday, … [Read More...]

Black History Month in Delaware

In February we celebrate the contributions of Black people. It is a time to reflect on the struggle for racial justice. 2021’s theme is “The … [Read More...]

Get The Vaccine!

COVID-19 VACCINE SCHEDULING Requests for appointments for Delaware Division of Public Health vaccination events are now being taken … [Read More...]

Please Make A Donation

You can make a one-time donation or set up a donation that repeats weekly or monthly. A click on the button will bring you to a secure … [Read More...]

Books About Race, Race Relations, and Racial History – A Bibliography

Here is a list of books, articles, and videos that enlighten us about race, race relations, racial history, and related topics. Click here … [Read More...]

Pledge Form

If you want to make your pledge to SsAM for 2021, you can use this on-line form, which does NOT ask for bank account or credit card … [Read More...]

See all the News & Upcoming Events posts

Sunday Services

We are worshiping together using video over the Internet. Click here to learn more!

Sunday worship services are at 10:00 a.m. Morning and Evening Prayer are also offered, on other days.

Visit Us

Our church is closed at the moment, but when we can open, even partially, our address is

719 N. Shipley Street
Wilmington, DE 19801

with free parking weekends and evenings next to the church at 713 N. Shipley Street. Click here to learn more about parking and directions.

OUR MISSION

To be an inclusive Christian community which worships God, follows Christ in all aspects of our lives, and serves the Greater Wilmington area through actions and ministries which promote peace, justice, reconciliation and empowerment for all people.

Contact Us

PHONE: 302 656-6628

EMAIL: Click here to use our email form.

FACEBOOK: Click here to see our Facebook page. You don’t need a Facebook account to see it.

YOUTUBE: Click here to see our YouTube Channel. Some smart TV sets will allow you to stream YouTube, so you can watch in your den or living room. Search for “Saints Andrews and Matthew”.

Are You New to SsAM?

If you are new to SsAM, please click here to see the Welcome to SsAM booklet in PDF format. The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew is a dynamic and diverse congregation in downtown Wilmington, Delaware.

Our Vision

The Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew and Matthew seeks to be a dynamic, spiritual center that is active in the pursuit of peace and justice in the community and a place where all God’s people are honored.

LINKS

  • Worship at SsAM: Sunday Documents, Church News, and More
  • eNewsletter Sign Up
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  • Recent Announcements at SsAM
  • Vestry View
  • Invite Welcome Connect
  • Episcopal Church in Delaware
  • Episcopal Church USA
  • Michael Curry’s blog: the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
  • Episcopal Digital Network
  • Forward Day By Day
  • Book of Common Prayer
  • Camp Arrowhead, Delaware
  • Order of the Ascension
  • Congregational Development
  • Father David’s Spiritual Journey
  • Calendar
  • Visit SsAM on Facebook
  • eNewsletter Sign-up
  • Vestry View

Donations Are Welcome, and a Necessity

Our ministries are dependent on financial donations. Click here to make a secure credit-card donation on-line or to learn more about making a pledge, texting a donation, special gifts and memorials, remembering SsAM in your will, setting up debit payments from your bank, and using United Way.

Make An On-Line Donation
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