St. Matthew was formally dedicated as a parish in 1965; however, several important events preceded that date.
The seeds of our faith community were planted in 1959 when Mrs. Bridget O’Connor gave ten acres of farm land to the diocese of Peoria for the establishment of a future parish, and at the same time, Bishop John Franz bought an additional ten acres from her.
In 1960 Father J. Walter McGinn, pastor of Holy Cross Parish, supervised a fund-raising drive for the construction of a school building and convent to be located on the newly acquired land in southwest Champaign. The Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate agreed to help staff the school, and Sister Ida Pfeffer was asked to be the first principal.
In September of 1962 the new school opened with 238 students in six grades and with a CCD enrollment of fifty. Bishop Franz dedicated the facility as St. Matthew Auxiliary, an extension of Holy Cross. The name of St. Matthew was chosen at the request of Mrs. O’Connor. Sunday Masses were held in the gymnasium which also contained a small chapel opening on the west. Grade Seven was added to the school in 1963 and Grade Eight in 1964.
1965- On June 9, St. Matthew became an official parish. Father James Martin was appointed as the first pastor of the fledgling congregation consisting of approximately 300 families. Three and eventually four Sunday masses were offered in the gymnasium-church as well as daily masses in the in the chapel. Father James Riegert assisted Father Martin for several years while working on an advanced degree at the University of Illinois, as did Father Norman Choate from 1968 through 1969.
1966- Father Richard Wilson became St. Matthew’s first "official" assistant (1966-68). The parish approved expansion of the school with a junior high wing. The building now contained sixteen classrooms, a multi-purpose room, a gymnasium, a teachers’ lounge, and offices. The parish rectory at 1611 Mayfair was completed in October.
1968- Sister Mary Jean Morris became school principal.
1970- Sister Rosemary Small became principal of the school. Father Thomas Royer was appointed associate pastor (1970-71).
1971- Father John Meyers became associate pastor (1971-74).
1972- Father Martin left St. Matthew to serve as chaplain in a Veterans’ Administration hospital. Father William Feeney became Pastor in January. Major repairs were made to the school and a "Rain Drops" fund was begun to repair the roof on the gymnasium-church and to redecorate the interior
1974- Father E.K. Wolgamot became associate pastor (1974-76).
1975- After many inquiries, many meetings, much thought and much planning, the parish voted to construct a new place of worship.
1976- Sister JoAnne Murphy was named principal of the school. The fund drive for the new church began. The design of the structure was approved, and the ground-breaking took place in September. Father John Prendergast became associate pastor (1976-78).
1978- Tom McKenna was named principal of the school. The church was dedicated on April 4, preceded by the first wedding on January 14, and the first baptism on January 22.
1979- The debt encountered to build the church was completely paid in just over a year after the official dedication.
1980- The convent was remodeled into a parish office and rectory. The former rectory was sold.
1981- A fund drive was begun to pay for the new roof on the gymnasium and on the junior high wing of the school.
1982- Douglas A. Waitrovich became school principal.
1983- Father Donald Henderson became associate pastor (1983-1985).
1984- A fund drive was begun to build a school library. Joseph A. McDaniel became school principal.
1985- Construction of the new library is completed. The parish celebrates its twentieth anniversary with a membership of approximately 1230 families, over 370 students enrolled in the school, and 260 in the CCD program.
1992- Father William Feeney died. Canon John J. Flattery becomes pastor.
1993- Richard Taylor became the interim principal.
1994- Father Terrance P. O’Brien is named pastor in June.
1995- Three Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George come to the parish and establish a convent at 1719 Robert Drive. Sister Ann Marie, OSF, is appointed principal. The parish leases a mobile unit and begins a Kindergarten with a morning session having 24 students.
1996- The new computer lab is completed in the library with 27 Power Macintoshes. Kindergarten doubles (47) with morning and afternoon sessions. The total school enrollment reaches 472 students. In October, Father O’Brien announces the addition of four new classrooms to be ready for September, 1997.
1997- The new classrooms are completed and two kindergarten and two first grade classes move in to start the school year. There are now three first grade classrooms total. School enrollment is 474 students. Every classroom now has a computer and a color printer.
1998- Father Tony Trosley is named pastor in June. The addition to the convent is completed and there are now four Sisters of St. Francis working at the school. The school continues to lease the mobile unit for a third kindergarten class. Every classroom has an internet connection through a T1 line. The total school enrollment reaches 479 students.
1999- New ceilings and lights are installed in the school hallways. The front entrance of the school gets new flooring. The first school website goes online May 21 at http://www.stmatt.net.
2000- Kathy Scherer is named the new assistant principal. The school office is remodeled. New playground equipment is installed, and new athletic & academic record boards for activities are hung in the newly painted gym.
2001- Kathy Scherer is named the new principal. Sister M. Jacinta joins the school administration as assistant principal.The front entrance of the school gets new doors. The junior high hallway gets new flooring. The school purchases Apple's Mac OS X server and two mobile iBook carts. Each cart includes 16 Macintosh iBooks by Apple, an Airport Base station, and a wireless Hewlett Packard color printer.
2003 - Father Mark Merdian is appointed pastor of St. Matthew Parish and Father David Richardson is appointed assistant pastor. In August St. Matthew School hires 3 new teachers. Mrs. Ann Case for 5th grade, Mrs. Melissa Hildreth to teach Spanish, and Sr. M. Elena returns to teach kindergarten.
2004 - In August the Computer lab is updated to include 29 new eMac computers. New teacher positions include: Sr. M. Margaretta for 1st grade, Mrs. Kirstin Schneiter for Spanish, Mrs. Katie Fulton for Reading Resource, and Mrs. Traci Schurvinske as Extended Care Program Director.
2005 - In spring Construction began on the new Parish Center and Gymnasium/Performing Arts building. In May Mrs. Brubaker retired as St. Matthew School's fourth grade teacher. In August St. Matthew School classrooms have new window air-conditioners installed. Mrs. Sandy Giger joins the St. Matthew staff as the new Spanish teacher. Sr. M. Margaretta begins teaching fourth grade.
2006 - Dedication for the new Parish Center and Gymnasium/Performing Arts building takes place Saturday, May 20. Father David Richardson leaves as assistant pastor and is reassigned to St. Philomena Catholic School in Peoria. St. Matthew Parish welcomes Father Anthony Co as the new assistant pastor. In August Mr. Max Crain joins the St. Matthew staff as the new Assistant Principal and former 1st grade teacher Mrs. Lynn Yonce returns to teach kindergarten.
2007 - New teachers include: Sr. M. Margaret, 4th grade, Mrs. Judy Hackley, 8th grade, and Mrs. Lara Jobe Orr as the new art teacher.
2008 - In May Mrs. Karen Glogowski retired after 27 years of teaching first grade at St. Matthew School. The assistant principal, Mr. Max Crain left to become principal at a Catholic Elementary school in Alabama. New teachers include: Mrs. Lea Rossi and Mrs. Lisa Crawford in kindergarten, Sr. M. Vianney in first grade along with Mrs. Lynn Yonce who moved from kindergarten to first grade, Mrs. Lindsey Fullop in seventh grade and the return of Mr. Bill Geerdes as art instructor. Mrs. Kristin Hummel is now the full time Reading Resource teacher and Ms. Hana Schneider is the new Spanish instructor.