About Saint Matthew · El Paso, Texas
Saint Matthew Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish serving the Upper Valley of El Paso, Texas, within the Diocese of El Paso. The parish traces its roots to religious education classes held in a parishioner's home in the early 1950s and was formally established as a parish in 1955. Today it offers weekday and weekend Mass in both English and Spanish, a Catholic school serving grades 4K–8, faith formation and Confirmation programs, Eucharistic Adoration, and a long list of lay ministries including the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, and ACTS retreats.
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- Saint Matthew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Frank Lopez
- Diocese
- Diocese of El Paso
Why belong here
Saint Matthew is a warm bilingual parish in El Paso's Upper Valley that explicitly commits itself to welcoming visitors, forming youth, and serving those in need. Parishioners can worship in English or Spanish, send their children to the parish's own Catholic school (grades 4K–8), grow through faith formation and Confirmation classes, spend quiet time in Eucharistic Adoration, and join long-standing apostolates like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, ACTS retreats, and Bible study. The parish's mission statement — to teach the tradition, build belonging, empower youth, and serve the community — is lived out through dozens of weekly ministries for every age and stage.
Mass times at Saint Matthew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Adoration times
- Friday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (continues through the night on the first Friday of each month and during Lent)
About Saint Matthew Parish
Saint Matthew Catholic Church is a bilingual parish in the Upper Valley of El Paso, Texas, belonging to the Diocese of El Paso. Its mission is to celebrate the presence of Christ in Word and Sacrament and to proclaim the Gospel through faith, education, love, and service. The parish is guided by a commitment to teach the Church's tradition, welcome visitors, provide spiritual growth for all ages, empower youth, and create a safe and welcoming atmosphere for members and visitors alike.
- Diocese of El Paso parish
- Bilingual: English and Spanish
- Pastor: Rev. Frank Lopez
- Address: 400 W Sunset Rd, El Paso, TX 79922
- Phone: (915) 584-3461
History
The parish began in the early 1950s as a mission of St. Patrick Cathedral, when Upper Valley Catholics met for religious formation classes in the home of a parishioner. The community grew quickly, built its first church on Emory Road, and was formally elevated to a parish in 1955. For decades the parish worshipped in that original church; in January 2017 Bishop Mark J. Seitz blessed a brand-new 21,426-square-foot church at 400 West Sunset Road, fulfilling what pastor Msgr. David Fierro called the parish's 'long-awaited dream.'
- Early 1950s — religious formation classes held in an Upper Valley home
- First church built on Emory Road
- 1955 — elevated to parish status
- January 14, 2017 — blessing of the new 21,426 sq ft church by Bishop Mark J. Seitz
- Msgr. David Fierro served as pastor at the time of the new-church blessing
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Saint Matthew runs a full Faith Formation program for parish children and youth. Classes meet on Monday and Tuesday afternoons from 4:30 to 5:45 PM, and Confirmation preparation meets on Sundays from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Registration for the next year opens on June 1, with classes beginning in August. The parish also offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for adults seeking to become Catholic or complete their sacraments.
- Faith Formation: Mon & Tue 4:30–5:45 PM
- Confirmation Classes: Sun 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
- OCIA for adults (contact Oscar Barreda, 915-373-5496)
- Registration opens June 1; classes begin in August
St. Matthew Catholic School
St. Matthew Catholic School, founded in 2006, provides Catholic education for grades 4K through 8 on the parish campus at 400 West Sunset Road. The school is accredited through the Diocese of El Paso and the Texas Catholic Conference Educational Agency, and serves a diverse, coed student body in the Upper Valley. Veronica De La Cruz serves as principal.
- Founded 2006
- Grades 4K–8
- Accredited by the Diocese of El Paso and TCCBEA
- Principal: Veronica De La Cruz
- Phone: (915) 581-8801 / Fax: (915) 581-8816
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates all the usual sacraments. Baptisms are celebrated on the third Saturday of each month, with required paperwork available under 'Forms' on the parish website. Faith Formation prepares children for First Reconciliation and First Communion, and Confirmation preparation is offered on Sundays. Couples should contact the parish office for marriage preparation; the sick may request Anointing of the Sick through the parish office.
- Baptism — 3rd Saturday of each month
- First Reconciliation & First Communion — through Faith Formation
- Confirmation — Sunday classes
- Marriage — contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office
- OCIA — for unbaptized adults and those entering full communion
Parish Ministries and Groups
Saint Matthew supports a wide network of lay ministries and groups that meet throughout the week. They include spiritual, charitable, social, and fitness-oriented apostolates in both English and Spanish, allowing parishioners to find a community that matches their interests and talents.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Food Pantry
- Knights of Columbus (KOC) and 4th Degree Assembly
- Legion of Mary
- ACTS Men's, Women's, and Team Retreats
- Bible Study and Spanish Bible Class
- Prayer and Life Workshops
- Talleres de Oración (Spanish prayer workshops)
- Divine Mercy / Sacred Heart prayer group
- Mas Deus (Spanish prayer group)
- Yarn for Love (craft charity ministry)
- Social Justice ministry
- Pietra Fitness and Pietra Fitness Chair
Special Events and Programs
Beyond weekly ministries, the parish hosts seasonal events and one-time programs throughout the year. Vacation Bible School welcomes children from pre-K through 6th grade for a week of faith and fun. VIRTUS safe-environment training is offered on campus for adults who work with children. The parish also marks First Friday, Lent, and other seasons with extended Adoration and special devotions.
- Vacation Bible School — July 13–17, 9 AM – 12 PM (ages pre-K–6th)
- VIRTUS safe-environment class (next: July 18, 2026, 9–11 AM; register at virtus.org)
- First Friday overnight Adoration
- Lenten extended Adoration
- Seasonal retreats and parish celebrations
Parish Staff
Saint Matthew is served by a small pastoral and administrative team under Pastor Fr. Frank Lopez. The staff includes parish office personnel, a sacramental records director, an OCIA coordinator, and the principal of the parish school.
- Rev. Frank Lopez — Pastor
- Socorro Ortiz — Bookkeeper (915-584-3461)
- Oscar Barreda — OCIA (915-373-5496)
- Colleen Baily — Sacramental Records / SEC Director / Bulletin Editor / PCL
- Edna Baeza — Receptionist
- Veronica De La Cruz — Principal, St. Matthew Catholic School (915-581-8801)
Visiting and Office Information
The parish office is open Monday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Tuesday through Thursday 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM. The office is closed on Friday and is open only the second Saturday of each month from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Visitors are reminded not to park in the fire lanes, where vehicles will be ticketed or towed.
- Office hours: Mon 8 AM–5 PM; Tue–Thu 8 AM–3:30 PM
- Closed Friday
- Open 2nd Saturday, 9 AM – 12 PM
- No parking in fire lanes (will be ticketed/towed)
- Phone: (915) 584-3461
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. David Fierro
Pastor at the time of the blessing of the new 21,426 sq ft church on Sunset Road, January 14, 2017.
- Rev. John Paul Madanu
Served as parochial vicar at St. Matthew in January 2017 during the new-church blessing.
- Rev. Frank Lopez
Current pastor of Saint Matthew Parish.