After seven years, St. Matthews Episcopal Church re-opens

From West Virginia-


After a seven-year drought, St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Chester is once again opening its doors.

The church at the corner of Fourth Street and Indiana Avenue will hold its re-opening liturgy at 9 a.m. Sunday.

"I don't know for sure how many people we'll have there, but you have to start somewhere," said the Rev. Dale Eugene "Gene" Sheppard, parish missioner. "People who have seen the sign have called and said that they'll be there. I'm very excited."

A second-career clergyman, Sheppard, 65, of Follansbee, began his ministry to the Episcopal churches of Brooke and Hancock counties in June 2006. Four months later, St. Matthew's closed, the victim of declining membership.

At that time, the Rev. Jim Reed, who also was serving the Chester parish, decided to retire, and Sheppard continued his ministry to the three other Episcopal churches-St. Thomas in Weirton, Olde St. John's in Colliers and Christ Church in Wellsburg.

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