There is a place for you here
You are welcome at St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel Lutheran Church, however you identify, racially, culturally, or ethnically. We are a Reconciling in Christ congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; you are welcome, however you choose to name your sexual identity. You are welcome here whatever your age, ability, or legal, economic, or relational status. All are welcome. “All” means all. We give thanks to God for your presence, and pray that you will find renewal, joy and strength through your participation in today’s service. If you are a visitor seeking a church home, we invite you to join us on our journey. We welcome all children to be present during the entire Worship Service.
Meet the Team
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Pr. Luis Echandía
Interim Transitional Pastor
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Deacon Eric Johnson
Senior Deacon
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Mary Fasano
Organist; Choir Director
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Farah Franqui
Sexton
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Zarina Salt-Sanjana
Office Manager
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Anne Voorhies
Church Council President
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Jennifer Herbert
Sunday School Superintendent
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Allison Struthers
Sunday School Superintendent
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Marc Youngblood
Acting Director, PHSSC
Council Members
Anne Voorhies, President
Katherine Anderson, Vice President
Geoffrey Thomas, Secretary
Tammy Johnson, Treasurer
Katie Cunningham, Financial Secretary
Heather Berry
Jodi Cooke
Nadine Cordes
Laura Gruenburg
Joanna Laine
Laura Lutchman
Deborah Maltby
Marie Towle
Our History
The church known today as St. John–St. Matthew–Emanuel Lutheran Church came about from the merger of three congregations in 1974: St. Matthew Evangelical English Lutheran Church, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and The German Evangelical Emanuel Lutheran Church
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St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran
St. Matthew Evangelical English Lutheran Church was established in 1859, and was the first English speaking Lutheran Church in Brooklyn. After years of leasing space in other church buildings, St. Matthew bought a lot on the corner of 6th Avenue and 2nd Street and erected a sanctuary of its own in 1895. In 1948, Emanuel Lutheran merged with St. Matthew and the church was renamed St. Matthew–Emanuel Lutheran Church.
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German Ev. Emanuel Lutheran (c.1903)
The German Evangelical Emanuel Lutheran Church was formed in 1884 by several families who left St. John's Lutheran after that congregation switched from a strictly German-speaking church to one that was bilingual (German and English). In 1903, the society purchased a church building on 7th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues, where they flourished until consolidating with St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in 1948.
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Interior (1929) showing Hook & Hastings organ
Church interior and organ: Photograph from an archival source: Brooklyn Public Library via the NYC AGO NYC Organ Project, Taken approx. 1929
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Organ Case
The present organ was installed in 1906 by the Hook & Hastings Company of Boston. Originally built with tubular-pneumatic action, the organ was later electrified by the James H. Rae Co. of Brooklyn.
Photograph by the NYC AGO Organ Project, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2014-11-08
