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Our Woven Past: Oblate Paths to Sainthood

The Lives of the Saints: St. Ambrose

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St. Matthew's Church

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In a tiny community near Veblin, South Dakota sits a quaint little church that is rich in history. The church, St. Matthew’s, celebrates its 100th Anniversary this year.

Saint Matthew’s Parish was established, and the original church building constructed, in 1890. It was well attended and was even the refuge of two Sisters of Mercy who cared for orphaned Native American children in the basement. However, parishioners of the church were surprised in 1906 to find the doors of the church bolted closed. It had been mistakenly built too far north of the property line and was reclaimed by the landowner. With this news, the priest and seven families decided to build a new church in Veblin, which is today known as St. John’s Church.

The current St. Matthew’s Church was built in 1908 to accommodate the Catholic Native American population in rural South Dakota. The valley community surrounding
St. Matthew’s remains fairly isolated and has changed very little from the time when the church was first built. As a part of the Oblate Tekakwitha Indian Missions, the church and its history are cherished by many. The residents take pride in its simplicity and the heritage that it represents.

Saint Matthew’s Church is by no means glamorous or modern. Its small size and limited finances pose problems for the Oblates who minster there and the residents who call the church their own. Despite these struggles, the Oblates are rewarded for their efforts. There is a strong bond among the people of the parish that the Oblates enjoy, as well as great pride in the longevity of the church’s presence. What St. Matthew’s lacks in size and numbers, it makes up for in love and togetherness.

As the parishioners celebrate the church’s centennial, they will gather together for a special Mass, followed by a prayer service in the adjoining Native American cemetery. A potluck dinner will follow, offering them the opportunity to share stories and reminisce about special memories associated with the parish.

The Missionary Oblates have been serving in parishes like St. Matthew’s in South Dakota and in Minnesota for over 85 years. Not only do they celebrate Mass and the sacraments, but the Oblates also take an active role in preserving the rich heritage of the Native Americans who live in the Tekakwitha Mission communities.