Founded in 1846, St. Matthew’s & St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church is Michigan’s third-oldest Black church and one of the nation’s oldest historically Black Episcopal congregations.and a documented site on the Underground Railroad.

As a pillar of Detroit’s historic North End, our church has served as a spiritual home, a cultural landmark, and a hub for community outreach for over 179 years.

For nearly two centuries, our church has stood as a beacon of faith, hope, resilience, and service in our community. Generations have worshipped here, celebrated life's milestones here, sought refuge in difficult times here, and built a legacy that continues to impact lives today.

Now, this historic treasure needs our help.

Time, weather, and age have taken their toll on our building and its infrastructure. To ensure that future generations can continue to gather, worship, learn, and serve within these walls, we are launching a restoration campaign to preserve and revitalize this sacred space.

Our Restoration Goals

Jamieson Hall Restoration — $84,500

Jamieson Hall has long served as a gathering place for fellowship, community events, youth activities, and outreach programs. Funds will support:

Commercial Kitchen Rehabilitation — $115,800

Our kitchen has served thousands of meals over the years and remains essential to our ministry and community outreach efforts. Funds will help:

Tiffany Stained Glass Window Preservation — $112,650

Our historic stained-glass windows are priceless works of art and faith. This project will:

Historic Skinner Organ Restoration — $334,710

The music of our historic Skinner Organ has inspired worshippers for generations. Restoration will include:

Repair of keyboards, pipes, pedals, and mechanical systems

Preservation of historic components

Long-term maintenance and tuning

Heating & Boiler System Modernization — $78,500

A safe and reliable heating system is critical to keeping our doors open year-round. This project includes:

Why This Matters

This is more than a building.

It is a place where children learn, families gather, neighbors find support, and faith is lived out daily. It is a historic landmark, a community anchor, and a living testament to 180 years of service and perseverance.

Every donation—large or small—helps preserve this legacy and ensures that future generations can continue to benefit from this sacred and historic space.

If this church has touched your life, your family's life, or your community, we invite you to become part of its next chapter.

Our Goal: $726,160

Together, we can restore, preserve, and strengthen this historic house of worship for the next 180 years.

Please donate, share this campaign, and help us protect a legacy that belongs to all of us.

Thank you for your generosity, prayers, and support.