St. Matthew's was the first church in Florence, fully established in 1843. By 1994, it was the last remaining church in the village. The lovely neo-gothic brick church building was carefully maintained over the years, but by 2024 the utilities and insurance made it too expensive to keep open. But we had a hall. That hall, across the road from the church, was built in 1994. A modern and attractive facility, it remains open for worship, outreach, and for bookings by community groups and families. At present we don't know what will happen with the big brick church building.
OUR WORSHIP LEADERS
Harold and Marlene Harvey+
The people
As we are still part of the Rondeau Bay Transfiguration Partnership of Anglican Churches in the Deanery of Lambton-Kent, we share clergy. Harold and Marlene are with us some weeks, and other weeks we are on our own, using the Disciplines studies, or visiting another church. You can find our schedule on the Services page.
OUTREACH
St Matthew's started a Little Free Pantry uptown in the village of Florence during the pandemic and find that now the need is higher than ever. It is emptied nearly daily. See our Home page for more information on that. Its Village Stitchers group meets on Tuesday mornings in St Matthew's Hall to sew quilts for shut-ins, the shelters, Westover Treatment Centre, and the new local respite for farmers and first responders, Three Oaks Cabin, and to knit hats and mittens for men's, women's and children's programs.