Beliefs and vision
St Matthew’s Church has been a spiritual home for a wonderfully diverse range of people since 1746. We believe we are on a journey accompanied by God in Christ Jesus, through the power of God’s Spirit. We believe the Christian life is one of healing, forgiveness, freedom, justice, reconciliation and peace, following the example of Jesus of Nazareth.
Our vision is to be a place where all people can encounter God’s life-changing love. We reject blame, intolerance and division, and believe wholeheartedly in Jesus’s messages of forgiveness, love and unity.
Sacramental tradition
We are a church in the sacramental tradition, which means we believe that everything we are and everything we do flows from God’s presence with us in the Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion or Mass. Our worship is rooted in the church’s ancient traditions while still speaking warmly to people in the present day.
Mission areas
We prioritise children’s and youth work, creating community and combatting loneliness, and bringing people of difference together to seek the common good. That includes work through community organising, wider justice campaigns and partnership with local groups and charities that care about the same issues we care about.
Learning and theology
At St Matthew’s we know that we connect with God not only through stillness and spiritual or emotional life, but also by stretching our brains. Theology is the study of “what we say about God”, and it shapes every part of our living and believing. We encourage honest questions and lifelong learning in faith.
Groups and local community
Kids Deziah Business runs in the parish room for young people aged 7–17, teaching valuable life skills they would not get in the classroom. Our Community Garden started back up in 2026, led by Andrea, and we also host a Bible Group at St Mary’s Cable Street every Thursday after a said Mass at 7pm.
Wider context
St Matthew’s is part of the Stepney Area of the London Diocese of the Church of England. We seek to serve the parish within the wider life of the diocese and to be responsive to the needs of Bethnal Green, a place shaped by poverty, migration, diversity and resilience.