St. Matthew’s Temple Church of God in Christ was founded in 1942 by the late Reverend Matthew Blackshear. Elder Blackshear, his wife, Mother Mary E. Blackshear and their seven children – Ralph, Hermie, Willie, Mary, Helen, Thelma and Mildred; settled in Richfield Springs, New York in 1942. Elder Blackshear made several trips to Utica, NY in search of a location to establish a church. After finding an apartment in the city, he moved to Utica with his family. Elder Blackshear located a building at the corner of Washington and Whitesboro Streets; 131 Washington Street. He rented the building, which was a former barber shop and he had it renovated. In search of membership, Elder Blackshear was told about a saint by the name of Sister Minnie Lee Gregg. He found her and Sister Gregg told him about another saint, named Sister Carrie Johnson. Now Elder Blackshear’s congregation consisted of his wife, children and his two new found members. After the completion of the renovation, a dedication service was held in 1942, establishing the first Pentecostal Church in the city of Utica.
Pastor Blackshear was a praying man, who preached two sermons on Sunday. The community was hearing something that they had never heard before and they wanted to know more about the way of holiness. As the membership increased, Elder Blackshear was able to purchase the building at 131 Washington Street. The building was renovated and provided a church sanctuary on the first floor with an apartment on the 2nd floor for the pastor and his family. Pastor Blackshear continued to preach the word of God and the membership continued to grow. One of his members, Sister Helen Williams was the first member to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Brother Odell Hawkins accepted the Lord as his personal savior; Brother Hawkins was appointed Deacon, due to his faithfulness and dedication to the ministry. Deacon Hawkins has served under every pastor of St. Matthew’s Temple. Elder Blackshear was a faithful servant of God and he was concerned about the souls of God’s people. Elder Blackshear had a zeal to reach the masses and due to his zeal, Elder Blackshear began the first Black gospel hour in Utica in the late 1940’s at the WGAT radio station, which later became WTLB. The broadcast aired live from the Temple on Washington Street. The broadcast ignited the community and caused many to come fellowship at St. Matthew’s Temple COGIC and claim God as their personal savior. As the membership continued to flourish and God continued to bless. In 1957 a church was purchased at 401 Catherine Street, which was formerly the St. Peter & St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church. One of Elder Blackshear’s dreams was to lead his membership into an already built church and he lived to see his dream become a reality. Elder Blackshear pastored St. Matthew’s Temple until his death on July 26, 1959. Elder James Griffin, Sr., his son-in-law, was the assistant pastor and was appointed Pastor in 1960.
Under the leadership of Elder James Griffin, Sr., a new church was built at 110 Washington Street; the dedication service was held in 1967. God continued to bless Elder Griffin, Sr. and he pastor St. Matthew’s Temple until his death on July 17, 1981. Elder Vernon D. Rhodes of California was sent to pastor St. Matthew’s Temple in 1981. On assignment from God, Elder Rhodes took Elder J.L. Griffin as his spiritual son and prepared him for pastorship. During this preparation, Elder Willie Samuel, who was the late Elder Griffin’s assistant pastor, passed away. Elder Samuel was assistant pastor for 21 years. After the Lord called Elder Rhodes home in 1982, Elder J.L. Griffin was appointed pastor in 1982. Shortly thereafter Elder E. Tucker was named Assistant Pastor. 40 years after being appointed, Rev. J.L. Griffin is still at the helm, leading, teaching, blessing and delivering God’s people. On August 9, 2009, St. Matthew’s Temple opened its doors to a newly re-constructed sanctuary that was built debt free under the leadership of our pastor, Supt. J. L. Griffin, and where we currently reside. Pastor Griffin is on the move, with his lovely wife, First Lady Eva Griffin by his side. He has been an exemplary Pastor, a wise and humble servant of God, an anointed preacher and teacher of God’s word, powerful in prayer, and used by God in the healing ministry. He is leading St. Matthew’s through tumultuous times including racial tensions, political uproar, and now more than two years of a pandemic. Through it all, the name of the Lord is glorified, the word is preached, lives are saved and transformed, and now technology is being used to spread the gospel across the country. After 80 years of our church serving our community, and 40 years of Pastor J. L. Griffin serving our church, we proclaim Colossians 2:7 “By Faith: We are rooted and grounded in Christ.”