The Parish of Saint Matthew

What The Parish of Saint Matthew does

The Parish of Saint Matthew is an Episcopal parish founded October 5, 1941, and currently operating on a 42-acre campus at 1031 Bienveneda Avenue in Pacific Palisades, California, within the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. It conducts weekly Sunday worship at 10am (with online streaming via YouTube) and serves an enrolled membership of more than 2,500 people, anchored by 406-470 pledging households. The parish runs an integrated cradle-through-adulthood programming stack including a Parent-Infant/Toddler Program, St. Matthew's Preschool, Little Falcons, St. Matthew's Parish School (Episcopal day school), Children's Ministry, Day Camp, Confirmation, prayer groups, Emmaus small groups, and a Music Guild concert series built around unique C.B. Fisk and Phillips Bitting historical instruments.

The revenue model is membership-funded: 93% of the operating budget comes from annual stewardship pledges ($1,999,002 in 2024, $1,883,702 in 2025, against a stated 2026 goal of $2,000,000), supplemented by a volunteer-operated Thrift Shop in Santa Monica that nets $80,000-$120,000 (100% directed to outreach partners), an annual Christmas Faire holiday market and silent auction ($123,000 in 2017), Parent-Infant/Toddler program fees ($2,500 per registrant), Planned Giving/Legacy Society estate contributions to an endowment, and miscellaneous fees and donations. Distribution is in-person at the Pacific Palisades campus and the Santa Monica Thrift Shop, plus digital streaming and email. The parish is currently navigating campus closure and recovery following the Palisades Fire, with weekly worship continuing at the church building and a Return to Bienveneda Task Force overseeing rebuilding. It is led by The Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy as Priest-in-Charge during an active Rector search, supported by a COO, Directors of Music, Children's Ministry, Development, Communications, Human Resources, and an 11-member elected Vestry.

Name

The Parish of Saint Matthew

Legal name

The Parish of Saint Matthew

Website

https://stmatthews.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Parish of Saint Matthew is an Episcopal parish in Pacific Palisades, California, serving 2,500+ members across worship, formation, and outreach programs on a 42-acre campus. It funds a $2M annual operating budget primarily through stewardship pledges from 406-470 households, supplemented by a Santa Monica Thrift Shop, an annual Christmas Faire, and program fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Parish Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

akta.pro primary industry

Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences) (BPAGAJAB)

Keywords

• Episcopal worship services
• Faith formation programs
• Parish community outreach
• Episcopal day school
• Stewardship giving

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Stewardship Pledges (Annual Giving): The primary revenue stream is annual stewardship pledges from parish members. 93% of the Parish operating budget comes directly from annual Stewardship Giving. Members make pledges annually supporting worship & music, pastoral care, outreach and service, formation & fellowship, property & facilities, and administration.
2. St. Matthew's Thrift Shop: The Thrift Shop on Main Street in Santa Monica resells donated clothes, housewares, toys, books and more. All revenues go directly to supporting outreach partners. The shop nets between $80,000-$120,000 annually, with approximately $40,000 given to support four specific parish grantees.
3. Christmas Faire: Annual Christmas Faire holiday market and silent auction. 100% of net proceeds go to charitable outreach partners. In 2017, the Christmas Faire generated $123,000 in revenue.
4. Planned Giving / Legacy Society: Planned giving through estate plans sustains the future of the parish. Members who include St. Matthew's in their estate plans become Legacy Society members. Gifts to the endowment provide income stream for future maintenance of grounds and campus.
5. Parent-Infant/Toddler Program Fees: Weekly classes for parents and their young children (birth through age two). Fee-based program with registration costs for the school year.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Parish of Saint Matthew is an Episcopal church providing weekly Sunday worship services, pastoral care, faith formation programs for all ages, an Episcopal day school, and community outreach services. Core offerings include worship services with online streaming, the Parent-Infant/Toddler Program, Children's Ministry and Day Camp, Music Ministry featuring historic organs and harpsichord, the St. Matthew's Thrift Shop, and a digital stewardship giving platform supporting the parish's $2,000,000 annual operating budget.

Product overview

The Parish of Saint Matthew is an Episcopal church in Pacific Palisades, California, offering a unified portfolio of worship, formation, and community service programs. Core offerings include weekly Sunday worship services (with online streaming), the Parent-Infant/Toddler Program, Children's Ministry, St. Matthew's Day Camp, Little Falcons preschool transition program, Music programs featuring historic organs and harpsichord, various Prayer Groups (Centering Prayer, Rosary, Emmaus), and Saints Alive speaker series. Community engagement includes an extensive Outreach Partner network supporting homeless and low-income populations, the St. Matthew's Thrift Shop, and an annual Christmas Faire. The Parish also operates a digital giving platform for stewardship pledges and one-time donations, plus a Planned Giving/Legacy Society for estate planning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weekly Worship Services Sunday worship services held at 10am at the Pacific Palisades campus with a Prayground area for children, with online streaming available via YouTube for remote participation.
• Parent-Infant/Toddler Program (PIT) Weekly classes for parents and children from birth through age two, designed to foster learning, play, and socialization in a supportive environment. Registration is $2,500 for the school year with 90-minute sessions.
• Children's Ministry Programs Includes Children's Chapel during Sunday services, Child Care, Baptism instruction, Confirmation classes, and Liturgical Ministries for children and youth.
• St. Matthew's Day Camp Six-week summer day camp for children and families, operating Monday through Thursday from 9am to 3pm on the St. Matthew's campus.
• Little Falcons Program Five-day per week drop-off program for two-year-old children, providing transition from parent-toddler programs to preschool at St. Matthew's Parish School.
• Outreach Partner Programs Funding and support to multiple charitable organizations including Angel Interfaith Network, Chrysalis, CLARE|MATRIX, GAIA Global Health, Pacific Clinics, Safe Place for Youth, The People Concern, Westside Food Bank, and others serving low-income and homeless populations in Los Angeles.
• St. Matthew's Thrift Shop Resale shop selling donated clothes, housewares, toys, and books with proceeds (approximately $80,000-$120,000 annually) supporting local outreach organizations. Located at 2812 Main Street in Santa Monica.
• Music Programs and Concert Series Music ministry featuring the C.B. Fisk Pardee Memorial Organ (Opus 86) and Phillips Bitting Memorial Harpsichord (Opus 73), with concerts from October through June via Music Guild.
• Prayer Groups Includes Centering Prayer, Pray the Rosary, Psalmathon, Advent and Lent Quiet Days, and Emmaus small groups, providing regular spiritual formation opportunities.
• Online Giving Platform Digital stewardship platform enabling one-time and recurring donations, pledge management, and planned giving through the TPS database system.
• Ministry Opportunities Worship, pastoral care, and fellowship ministries including lectors, lay eucharistic ministers, ushers, altar guild, and parish events.
• St. Matthew's Parish School Episcopal day school serving children and families with a challenging, caring, and balanced educational program that nurtures intellectual, creative, spiritual, and ethical development.
• Saints Alive Speaker Series Monthly speaker series held on first Wednesdays featuring various topics and presenters with boxed lunch ($15 registration), covering public art, world affairs, literature, health, and spirituality.
• Christmas Faire Annual holiday market and silent auction held at the Water Garden in Santa Monica, with 100% of net proceeds supporting charitable outreach partners.
• Planned Giving / Legacy Society Estate planning program allowing members to designate gifts to the Parish endowment fund for long-term sustainability. Members who include St. Matthew's in their estate plans become Legacy Society members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves over 2,500 parish members and hundreds of community members through outreach
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Angel Interfaith Network (Project Angel)coreOthersFunds hospital chaplaincy, including assistance with food, transportation, and basic needs for low-income individuals and families at Los Angeles General Medical Center. This partnership extends the parish's pastoral care mission into healthcare settings.
• ChrysaliscoreOthersProvides funding for job training and placement for homeless and low-income individuals. Supports employment outcomes for vulnerable populations in Los Angeles.
• CLARE | MATRIXcoreOthersSupports residential and outpatient drug prevention programs for low-income individuals. Addresses substance abuse challenges in the community.
• GAIA Global HealthsecondaryOthersStrengthens healthcare in underserved African communities and empowers women and girls with employment and education opportunities. Extends parish mission internationally.
• Pacific ClinicscoreOthersProvides at-risk children and families with integrated behavioral healthcare and social services at the Hollygrove Campus.
• Neighborhood Youth AssociationcoreOthersAssists the Youth Leadership Academy to empower students to achieve 100% college placement and on-time high school graduation, with locations in Mar Vista, Inglewood, and Crenshaw.
• Pacific Palisades Task Force against HomelessnesscoreOthersSupports the Pacific Palisades Outreach Team which works with unhoused individuals, operated by The People Concern. Directly addresses homelessness in the local community.
• The People ConcerncoreOthersMakes comprehensive and supportive care for the homeless across Los Angeles County possible. One of the primary homeless services organizations supported by the parish.
• PRISM/Restorative JusticecoreOthersDelivers Episcopal pastoral care for the incarcerated in Los Angeles. Extends the church's ministry to those in the justice system.
• Safe Place for Youth (SPY)coreOthersProvides a wide variety of programs geared to end youth homelessness. Parish members participate through Fourth Tuesday dinner deliveries. SPY is one of four organizations receiving annual Thrift Shop grants of approximately $40,000.
• St. Joseph Center's Bread & Rose CafécoreOthersOffers a safe place for the unhoused to be served hot and nourishing meals in a restaurant setting. St. Joseph Center is one of four organizations receiving annual Thrift Shop grants of approximately $40,000.
• Westside CoalitionsecondaryOthersAlliance of 75+ social service agencies and faith organizations committed to addressing hunger, housing, and health in Los Angeles. Extends parish reach through collaborative network.
• Westside Food BankcoreOthersProvides funds to purchase and distribute essential nutritious food for low income individuals and families. One dollar equals four meals to someone in need. Westside Food Bank is one of four organizations receiving annual Thrift Shop grants of approximately $40,000.
• St. Matthew's Parish SchoolcoreOthersAn Episcopal day school that is an integral part of the Parish, serving children and families of the parish and larger community. The school provides excellent education through challenging, caring, and balanced programs, nurturing intellectual, creative, spiritual, and ethical individuals.
• Music at St. Matthew's / Music GuildcoreOthersFeatures world-class concerts from October through June at the parish. Showcases the unique C.B. Fisk organ and Phillips Bitting harpsichord through professional performances.
• St. Matthew's Thrift ShopcoreOthersThe Thrift Shop on Main Street in Santa Monica resells donated items with all revenues supporting local organizations serving the broader community. Operated almost entirely by volunteers with its own Board of Directors.
• The Episcopal Diocese of Los AngelescoreOthersThe Parish of St. Matthew is part of The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, which encompasses six counties and approximately 55,000 Episcopalians. Bishop John H. Taylor serves as the seventh bishop of Los Angeles.
• Palisades Garden CaféminorOthersProvides boxed lunches for the Saints Alive speaker series events at St. Matthew's.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Westside Food Bank: Major outreach partner receiving annual grants from St. Matthew's. Comparable faith-adjacent nonprofit in the Westside LA ecosystem, addressing food insecurity with donor-supported funding model.

Direct peers

• St. John's Cathedral Los Angeles: Cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, the same diocese as St. Matthew's. Comparable in offering comprehensive worship, formation, music, and outreach programs within an urban LA context.
• All Saints Church Pasadena: Large mainline Episcopal parish in Pasadena with a parish day school, music ministry, and extensive outreach programs. Highly comparable to St. Matthew's in scale, programming breadth, and affluent Southern California catchment.
• St. James' Episcopal Church Los Angeles: Historic Episcopal parish in the Wilshire area of Los Angeles with comparable programming across worship, formation, music, and community outreach. Shares denominational affiliation and regional Episcopal context with St. Matthew's.
• Church of the Holy Trinity Pasadena: Episcopal parish in Pasadena with music programs, formation offerings, and outreach ministry. Comparable in scale and programming to St. Matthew's within the same diocesan region.

Regional players

• St. Paul's Episcopal Church Ventura: Episcopal parish serving the Ventura County coastal area with comparable family programming and stewardship-based funding. Similar in mission and structure but serving a different sub-region of the diocese.
• St. Mary's Episcopal Church Laguna Beach: Episcopal parish in an affluent coastal Orange County community, comparable to St. Matthew's in demographic profile and stewardship capacity. Similar in mission but serving a different geographic catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/stmatthewsparish
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheParishofStMatts
• Instagraminstagram.com/stmatthewspali
• Xx.com/stmatthewspali
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-episcopal-parish-of-st.-matthew-pacific-palisades-ca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Parish of Saint Matthew