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Buildings and Properties, 1841-1937

The St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Building and Property Records Collection consists of documents that capture the early history and transactions that helped shape the development of the church’s buildings and properties. It includes the legal history of properties eventually acquired by the church and early plans to form a religious society, the German Evangelical Lutheran […]

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Hampstead and Bethany Cemeteries

The St. Matthew’s German Evangelical Lutheran Church’s Hampstead and Bethany Cemeteries Collection consists of documents that relate to the church’s first cemetery, Hampstead, and the current, active cemetery, Bethany.  The earliest record dates back to 1813 regarding land conveyance eventually becoming Bethany Cemetery in 1856. Also included is a booklet in German containing a list […]

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Historical and Governing Records, 1841-1925

The St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Historical and Governing Records Collection consists of documents and photographs that capture the early history of the church and congregation. It includes documents of historical and architectural significance, including the Church Constitution, a program about the 1925 reopening, and early members of the church. The collection also includes correspondence by […]

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Parish Records

The St. Matthew’s German Evangelical Lutheran Church Parish Records Collection consists of marriage and death records from 1840 through 1901 written in German.  From 1848 through 1898, Pastor Ludwig (Louis) Müller, D.D. served as the Pastor of St. Matthew’s German Evangelical Lutheran Church and for each year he concluded the marriage and death records with […]

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St. Matthew’s Wartime Outreach, 1940-1966

Since its conception, St. Matthew’s German Evangelical Lutheran Church (SMLC) has served the needs of others in the local community and throughout the world.  From 1940 through 1966, SMLC and the four other local Lutheran churches hosted the Lutheran Service Center for the men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Charleston, […]