St. Matthew Parish, Georgia

United States Georgia  St. Matthew Parish

Before the American Revolution, the state church of Georgia was the Church of England (the Anglican Church, or Protestant Episcopal Church). Besides keeping parish registers, the church kept many records of a civil nature in their vestry books. The Vestry was as much a political body as a religious one. The wardens and commissioners were responsible for the roads, education, the poor and orphans, voting and collecting taxes in addition to their church duties.

Founded
St. Matthew Parish (location, GA) was officially created in 1758 as an original colonial parish.

Boundary
Borders: Christ Church, St. George, and St. Philip parishes. For a map, see: Map of Georgia's Colonial Parishes (courtesy: GeorgiaInfo).

Areas Served: St. Matthew Parish served: FIX
 * part of Berkeley (1682-1768) County 1706-1768
 * part of Charleston District 1768-1800
 * and survives to the present

Modern equivalent: The original parish covered part of what is present-day county.