The Rev. John Wesley (1703-1791), a revivalist in the Church of England, founded the Methodist movement as a Christian renewal ministry in the 18th Century declaring, “The Whole World is My Parish.” Methodists played a prominent role in the history of Upper Canada with a large number of them being United Empire Loyalists settled in the Belleville area. St. Matthew’s United Church is a “blended family” of two great historic Methodist Churches here in Belleville. 

Our story begins with Tabernacle United Church that was built in 1875 and was located on the East side of Church Street at the base of the Belleville water tower. Holloway Street United Church was built in 1876 and served it's West Hill neighbourhood. The two congregations felt God’s call to join together ten years ago in order to more effectively serve Jesus Christ in the community.  

Therefore, St. Matthew's United Church is a new Church, the product of the amalgamation of Holloway St. and Tabernacle United Churches plus the Bay of Quinte Ministry with the Deaf. St. Matthew's was officially established in the summer of 1995 during the period that the Rev. Barry Goodwin was serving as Interim Minister at Holloway St. United Church.