1889 - Rev. E. Stubenvoll Sr. started to do missionary work in the homesteading area not yet known as Bowler and surrounding area. The first religious services were held in the settlers log homes.

1906 - The railroad was laid out and a depot was built and named Bowler. Businesses began to be built and Rev. E. Stubenvoll Sr. began to conduct religious services in a hall.

1907 - Sunday School began to be conducted before services. As the congregations that Rev. E. Stubenvoll Sr. had grew, it became difficult to serve so many. His son, Rev. E.C.F. Stubenvoll Jr. was called to serve Bowler, Tilleda and Seneca.

1913 - The congregation decided to build a church and the present site was purchased in September of 1913. It was contracted to build the church for $1,800.00.

1914 - The church was officially incorporated on February 14, 1914. The new church was dedicated on December 20, 1914. The first five years the church remained a mission and was partly supported by the Synod.

1919 - The Ladies Aid Society was started in October of 1919.

1920 - Rev. E.C.F. Stubenvoll Jr. was granted an honorable release on December 26, 1920.

1921 - Rev. William Viergutz began his pastorate in February and served St. Matthews for just one year when he had to resign because of poor health.

1922 - Rev. Carl Stubenvoll began his pastorate in July of 1922.

1931 - A resolution was passed to remodel the church. Two additional lots were also purchased. The church was rededicated on November 1, 1931.

1932 - It was resolved to have services in the English language only, no longer one in German.

1934 - After serving the congregation for twelve years, Rev. Carl Stubenvoll preached his farewell sermon on September 30, 1934. Rev. Chris C. Domke was installed on October 28, 1934.

1938 - The 25th Anniversary celebration of St. Matthews was held on October 2, 1938. Rev. Emil Stubenvoll Jr., Rev. E.C.F. Stubenvoll Jr. and Rev. Carl Stubenvoll all returned to be a part of the services.

1948 - After 14 years of ministry to St. Matthews, Rev. Chris C. Domke accepted a call to Merrill, WI. A call was extended and accepted by Rev. James Larsen.

1949 - Rev. James Larsen requested a release so that he could accept a call to Hobart, OK to start a mission church. A call was extended to Rev. Carl Stubenvoll to return and he accepted.

1952 - Rev. Carl Stuhenvoll announced his wish to accept a call to the South DuPont and Big Falls congregations. Rev. Ervin Abelmann was called and arrived a short time later.

1954 - Rev. Ervin Abelmann requested a release to accept a call near Ixonia, WI. Rev. Fred Ohlrogge served the congregation until a call was extended to Rev. H.G. Bents of Humboldt, NE on October 29, 1954.

1955 - Rev. H.G. Bents was installed into office on January 2,1955.

1960 - Vast remodeling was done to the church.

1963 - The 50th Anniversary celebration of St. Matthews was held. E.C.F. Stubenvoll returned to deliver the sermon.

1973 - Rev. H.G. Bents retired in October of 1973. On July 1, 1973 the congregation agreed to leave the three church parish with Peace and Elias and join in a cooperative relationship with St. Paul’s in Bowler. This was a unique relationship as St. Matthews was part of the American Lutheran Church and St. Paul’s was Missouri Synod. A call was made to Pastor Michael Ernst. Pastor Ernst was installed at St. Matthews on September 1,1973.

1982 - The cooperative agreement with St. Paul’s was discontinued and Rev. Richard Gildseth was installed as pastor of St. Matthews in April of 1982.

1987 - The congregation became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America.

1988 - Pastor Jimalee Jones was installed on May 1, 1988 to serve as a part-time co-pastor with Pastor Gildseth.

1993 - 80 years were celebrated in October. Rev. Gary Stubenvoll, grandson of the founding pastor, participated in the services. Pastor Jimalee Jones was released on November 15, 1993, to move on to a congregation that both her and her husband were to serve.

1997 - Pastor Richard Gildseth retired in the fall of 1997.

1998 - The Congregation entered into an agreement to share the services of Pastor Stephen Shriner, of the Lutheran Church of the Wilderness on the Stockbridge Reservation.

1999 - Pastor Shriner requested a release from the combined agreement.

2000 - St. Matthews became part of the seven point cooperative ministry of The United Lutheran Parish. Our current pastoral services are filled by Pastor Jim Johnson, Pastor Carol Johnson, Pastor Howard Buenting and Pastor Shari Routh who were installed on July 16, 2000. We are very happy and excited to be a part of this unique arrangement and look forward to a long and blessed unity.