St. Matthew's church to celebrate 40th anniversary

St. Matthew's United Methodist Church will celebrate its 40th anniversary at a 10 a.m. worship service Sun., Sept. 10, followed by a luncheon. Conference Bishop Mary Ann Swenson will preach at the service. All former church members and the public are invited.

The congregation sponsors Boy Scout Troop 730 and Cub Scout Pack 3730. The St. Matthew's Children's Center provides a preschool and after school care. Church members support the homeless dinners and overnight

shelter of Lutheran Social Services, Habitat for Humanity, and the Westminster Free Clinic in Thousand Oaks.

The church officially opened on Sept. 11, 1966 with 75 members and the Rev. Craige Le Breton as the first pastor. The congregation met temporarily at the Seventh-Day Adventist Academy on Hillcrest Drive. The current church site was dedicated in September 1968.

The church is at 1360 S. Wendy Drive, Newbury Park. For more information, call (805) 498-6910.