St. Matthew’s has always been a place where the arts have thrived. We are blessed with many creative people within our midst: singers, poets, photographers, painters, writers & playwrights, potters, and musicians. We are blessed with an intellectual curiosity which provides the freedom for art to be expressed. We have the beautiful setting of our church building to offer for programs, musical events in particular.

 The Faith and the Arts Series began in the year 2010 as a result of St. Matthew's desire to be more intentional in our support of the arts themselves, rather than simply thinking of them as something providing support for other activities. We regard the gracious and hospitable use of our church as outreach to some who may not be so accustomed to being in sacred space. We hope to challenge and deepen our own faith and its expression in our lives through exposure to artistic expressions of faith and doubt.

Our 2010 Series included events with Lee Smith, Ana Hernandez, Cantari, a showing of the documentary Against the Tide with a guest appearance by Will McFarlane, Michael Malone & Maureen Quilligan's production of Guys & Dolls, and Pierce Pettis.We invite you to be present in the intersections of faith and art.







Our 2011 Series started with To Buy the Sun, a play exploring the life and legacy of Pauli Murray.  In March, we welcomed Sheila Kay Adams, a 7th generation story-teller from the mountains of NC.  Stories were paired with songs sung by the St. Matthew's Womens Singing Circle.  In June, a choral re-imaging of The Music Man, scripted by Michael Malone and narrated by Maureen Quilligan with music direction by Megan Whitted was performed to rave reviews.  In October we had Kate Campbell in Concert, a fine singer / songwriter from Nashville by way of New Orleans. 

Our 2012 Series:



Thursday, January 5, 7:30 p.m.: Old Christmas with Lee Smith & the St. Matthew’s Women’s Singing Circle

The Scotch-Irish pioneers who settled in the  hollows and hills of the Appalachian Mountains carried on many Old World traditions that harkened back into the Middle Ages. Mountain people knew the Day of Epiphany as “Old Christmas.” They regarded the Eve of Epiphany (January 5) as a night when the Holy Spirit would be manifest upon the earth in many subtle ways.

Join us in the church as Lee Smith reads her account of Old Christmas from her novel, Oral History.  The Women’s Singing Circle will sing carols and will be joined by a wonderful harpist from Chapel Hill, Ericka Patillo.

Tickets are $10 and available from the church office.

Saturday, April 21: The Messiah, St. Matthew's sEnio Choir with soloists and instrumentalists







Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2: a re-imagined Carousel with Michael Malone, Maureen Quilligan and the St. Matthew's Players







October, date TBA: Will McFarlane in Concert