- Our faith community was founded in 1985 by Father Peter Hickman and a small group of concerned Catholics. They perceived that there was a great need for an expression of authentic Cathoilic spirituality and community life that was independent of Rome. They sought to provide a necessary alternative for the many people who were being excluded from the Roman Catholic Church.
- We derive our apostolic succession from the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht, the Netherlands, that descends historically from the Roman Catholic Church. The old Catholic Church has maintained an authentic Catholic identity and a valid apostolic succession since the early eighteenth century.
- In 1870 the Roman Catholic Church introduced a “new” teaching, the Doctrine of Papal infallibility. The old Catholic Churches were formed in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland because they opposed this new doctrine as inauthentic. These Old Catholic Churches continue to this day.
- Saint Matthew Church possesses valid apostolic succession through the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht.
- Both men and women may serve in the ordained ministries of the church. Clergy are free to marry; those married are free to be ordained.
- We welcome everyone, whatever their faith background, race, ethnic identity, or gender orientation (LGBTQ).
Beginning of HSECC:
My name is Chinnappa Madanu and I was born and brought up in India. Since childhood I had a greater desire to become a priest. So with a strong faith in Jesus I completed my studies and entered the Gospel ministry. Lord has helped me earn my Bachelor’s in Philosophy, Theological & Sacred Scriptures. I recognize myself as a curious, determined and ambitious person. With the help of most Rev. Bishop Peter Elder Hickman, I was able to come to the United States and work as a priest at the Saint Matthew ECC. For five years, I have been working for ECC and have been a faithful priest. Within five years, I started the Holy Spirit Ecumenical Catholic Church, a sister religious congregation of Saint Matthew, which helps the priests(men & women) from various communities and cultures to share their beliefs and values with the world. During my time at Saint Matthew, I have done all my duties sincerely and responsibly with God’s blessings and understand his great works.