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 related posts.

14 Guilding Principles of SsAM. These principles were drafted by the two churches in 1996 before their consolidation.

2015 Welcome to SsAM Booklet

25th Anniversary Memories

25th Anniversary Survey Results

Two Rectors Review Their 25 Years at SsAM

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.

VIDEO: Growing up Black in Wilmington, Delaware. The Rev. Canon Lloyd S. Casson remembers growing up in Wilmington, Delaware, and serving as a priest in two downtown churches, and serving as president of the school board. Recorded at the Service of Repentance for Slavery in the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware, October 30, 2010.
PART TWO: Click here to see Part Two of Canon Casson’s talk, above for Part One.

VIDEO: The 10th Anniversary Video (from 2006, 8 minutes long)

VIDEO: The 20th Anniversary Dialogues with Max Bell, Canon Casson, and Saundra Johnson (from 2016, 35 minutes long)

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.

Shipley Lofts and Chris White Art Gallery, Wilmington, DelawareHistory 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 as Shipley Lofts. Also, an art gallery opened. Click here to learn more about Shipley Lofts and the Chris White Gallery.

We worship God on Sundays at 8am and 10:30am and offer prayer services other days.

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NEWS

Clergy Transition – Our Search for a New Rector

SsAM IS NOW RECEIVING NAMES FOR OUR NEXT RECTOR! If you are a clergy person and interested in our open rector position, we invite you to … [Read More...]

The Rev. Deacon Clay Brown

The Rev. Deacon Clay Brown will be ordained a priest on Saturday, February 4, at 11am. He joined the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew … [Read More...]

Worship God with us this Sunday in downtown Wilmington, Delaware

You are invited to worship God with us in person this Sunday at 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. Our newly-ordained … [Read More...]

Welcome To SsAM. You are invited!

SsAM, the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew in downtown Wilmington, Delaware, welcomes you. Come to God’s Table! Come, you … [Read More...]

SsAM Presents: Upcoming Events

Silent Walk for Justice and Peace, 5:30pm on Friday, February 3 Join us for this peaceful, prayerful walk through the center of … [Read More...]

The Extraordinary Life of Rosetta Henderson

An interview with Rosetta Henderson and a digital exhibit exploring her life and accomplishments is now at the Hagley Museum and Library. … [Read More...]

Reflection – Things kept going wrong but that didn’t bother us.

A reflection by Danny Schweers for January 29, 2023. Why did our companionship, in spite of events, continue as cheerfully as ever? Why … [Read More...]

First Friday Walks for Justice and Peace in Wilmington, Delaware

The next walk begins on Friday, February 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the SsAM parking lot, 713 N. Shipley Street. Join us for this peaceful, … [Read More...]

Spiritual Music in Wilmington, Delaware

Wilmington Children’s Chorus Teaching Fellowship applications are due February 10. The Wilmington Children's Chorus is accepting … [Read More...]

Children’s Chapel continues on February 12 at 10:30am.

Children’s Chapel will meet on February 12 and 26, and on every second and fourth Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in Crypt Hall. Children have several … [Read More...]

See all the News & Upcoming Events posts

Worship Services

We will be delighted if you worship with us in-person or via video this Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Click here to learn more!

Visit Us

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.
Office Hours
Monday – Thursday, 9:00 to 4:30
Friday, 9:00 to 1:00

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 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
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  • Recent Announcements at SsAM
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  • Episcopal Church in Delaware
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  • Michael Curry’s blog: the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
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  • Camp Arrowhead, Delaware
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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

Our main focus is ministry, not money!
We offer a host of ministries for which you can volunteer. You can participate in worship services, help make the church hum, or offer your time and talent to the local community.

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