St. Matthews Maryland Church, Winnipeg

Rooted in the heart of Winnipeg and true to its motto “In the heart of God, in the heart of the city,” Saint Matthew’s Maryland Church has been a cornerstone of West End community life since its formation in 1896. What began as a modest house church grew into a spiritual and social force that adapted alongside the city it serves.

Initially, the congregation gathered in a wooden building, later replaced in 1908 by a brick church at Sherbrook and Ellice-now home to the West End Cultural Centre. In 1913, the parish relocated to its current site on Saint Matthew’s Avenue, where it welcomed many newcomers from Britain. That early church was tragically lost to a fire in 1944, but resilience prevailed: by 1947, a new red brick building rose from the ashes, designed to seat 1,200 worshippers-and often filled to standing room only.

Over time, Saint Matthew’s became more than a place of worship-it transformed into a vibrant hub for community organizations and social services. Recognizing the need for major repairs and a long-term vision, the church entered a partnership with Grain of Wheat Church-Community, giving rise to Saint Matthews Non-Profit Housing Inc. The result was the creation of WestEnd Commons, a shared space for worship, housing, and community action.

In 2014, a newly consecrated worship area in the southeast corner of the building marked another new beginning for the parish. Today, Saint Matthew’s Maryland Church stands not just as a historic structure, but as a living testimony to adaptation, service, and deep-rooted faith-continuing to evolve, thrive, and serve in the very heart of Winnipeg.