Our History

7. Leading Saint Matthias into the twenty-first century: 1996 to the present
 

After 23 years of service at Saint Matthias, the Reverend Chester Howe retired in 1996. The Reverend Howe was succeeded by the Reverend Bruce Gray, Saint Matthias's fourth rector. Over the next 15 years, the Reverend Gray brought Saint Matthias into the first decade of the twenty-first century in several key ways, focusing on improvements to communication infrastructures, seeking new ways to increase funding for the church's operations and outreach, and partnering with parishioners to create greater opportunities for service to the church, one another, and the larger community.

While serving not only as a member of the Diocesan Council and Diocesan Budget Committee, but also Board Chairman for Camp Stevens (the 256-acre wilderness retreat and summer camp that serves the Episcopal Dioceses of Los Angeles and San Diego), the Reverend Gray initiated several new ministries and programs at Saint Matthias, including a college ministry, the Prayer Minister Program, and the Wellness Program. During his tenure and with the Reverend Gray's help, parishioners created Funds for the Future, a “rainy day" account for future projects, as well as a grants program designed to secure pledges and grants for the advancement of Saint Matthias's ministries.

In 2011, the Reverend Gray was succeeded by the Reverend Bill Garrison. Ordained in 2008, the Reverend Garrison (a.k.a. Father Bill) came to Saint Matthias from Saint Margaret's in San Juan Capistrano, where for three years he served as an associate priest as well as the chair of the Religion Department at the school there. At Saint Matthias, in addition to his spiritual guidance and theological expertise, Father Bill brought his experience and fiscal acumen as a longtime business owner to bear upon a number of important projects and improvements:

During his tenure as Rector from 2011 to 2022, Father Bill oversaw a substantial, 25 percent increase in church attendance, spurred in part by programs he initiated and improved upon like Theology on Tap, Wednesday morning Bible Study and Eucharist, and a monthly Saturday evening service. Father Bill also introduced new-and-improved ministries and educational programs, including the Children’s Ministry, Senior Ministry, and five-week-long religious classes held twice a year between the two Sunday services. Father Bill also spearheaded efforts that improved the physical plant at Saint Matthias, including painting the exterior of the building; installing new flooring in Lewis Hall, the Chase Room, common corridors, business office, and classrooms; renovating six restrooms, including new ceramic tiles, fixtures, and toilets; installing air conditioning and heating in the sanctuary; renovating the narthex; and acquiring new televisions for education and instruction. Father Bill took an active role in creating service opportunities for parishioners, starting an Advancement Committee to promote Saint Matthias in the community and a Soup Hour Committee to formalize procedures and make this important program financially self-sustaining. He worked to streamline existing opportunities, including revamping the Finance Committee and modernizing all of the Church's accounting systems. He supported new lay leadership opportunities in the parish. Finally, Father Bill guided Saint Matthias through significant challenges, including finding new tenants following the loss of the Oralingua School for the Hearing Impaired in 2013, and hiring a new music director after the departure of choirmaster Don Brown in 2016.

Following Father Bill’s retirement in mid-2022 until June 2025, Senior Warden Kathryn Underwood with the able assistance of her various Junior Wardens and Vestry Members provided Saint Matthias and the Saint Matthias Community both expansive spiritual leadership and business administrative acumen. During this period, Kathy ensured that Saint Matthias had erudite and inspirational presiding clergy at practically every Sunday Service and all major Feast Days. At the same, she and the Vestry oversaw major infrastructure improvements including the replacement of the tile roof over the historic landmark church building, termite extermination, and air conditioning unit repair.

In the late Spring of 2025, after months of candidate reviews and internal discussions, the Saint Matthias Rector Search Committee recommended to the Vestry to approve their nomination for the next Rector of Saint Matthias Episcopal Church. With the formal approval of the Vestry and the candidate’s acceptance of the offer, the Reverend Carole Horton-Howe became the sixth Rector of Saint Matthias Episcopal Church. Prior to accepting the Saint Matthias Rectorship, Reverend Carole served as Vicar of Saint Thomas of Canterbury in Temecula, California. Before her tenure as Vicar, Carole served as our very beloved Associate Rector at Saint Matthias with Father Bill and also as an assisting chaplain at The Covington retirement community in Orange County. Prior to her ordination to the priesthood, Carole, always compelled to work for justice and peace, worked as a paralegal in labor and employment law for law firms in Southern California and later as a human resources consultant to owners of small businesses.