St. Matthew

About St. Matthew Catholic Church

St. Matthew Catholic Church is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, founded in 1986 as a spiritual oasis in the rapidly growing southern suburbs of Charlotte. From those beginnings, the parish has grown into one of the largest Catholic parishes in the United States, with more than 11,500 registered families and an extensive web of ministries. Its vision statement asks parishioners to be 'connected in Christ and moved by the Holy Spirit,' with membership drawn from across the United States and many other countries. The parish describes itself as welcoming to all and rooted in the baptismal commitment and spirit of the Second Vatican Council. It is run by the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, alongside diocesan priests, deacons, religious, and a substantial lay staff.

History and Founding

On September 21, 1986, the Diocese of Charlotte announced the creation of a new parish to serve the burgeoning south Charlotte suburbs. Land for the future campus had already been purchased by the diocese in 1984, after Bishop Michael Begley, Father Joseph Kerin, and Monsignor John McSweeney walked the property in anticipation of population growth. The founding congregation — about 200 to 237 families — initially gathered for Mass in the Tower Theater before the permanent church was constructed. Under Monsignor John McSweeney's long pastorate the parish more than tripled in size, eventually reaching more than 11,000 registered families and an estimated 35,000+ registered members. The parish grew so large that it became widely described as a Catholic megachurch, drawing on organizational methods familiar from large Protestant congregations such as Saddleback Church, including small groups and affinity ministry. Until 2023 it held the title of largest Catholic parish in the United States. The 30th anniversary was marked in September 2016 with a Mass concelebrated by Monsignor McSweeney, who also honored the Sisters of Mercy and the late Sister Jeanne with a posthumous tribute and a $75,000 gift to the New Life Center.

• 1984: Diocese purchases land in south Charlotte
• September 21, 1986: Parish of St. Matthew officially announced
• Founding community of ~237 families first gathers at the Tower Theater
• Long pastorate of Monsignor John McSweeney shapes parish identity and scale
• 2016: 30th anniversary Mass honors the Sisters of Mercy
• 2023: Parish overtaken in size by St. Charles Borromeo, Visalia, CA

Clergy, Deacons, and Pastoral Staff

The parish is led by Pastor Reverend John Patrick Cahill, with Parochial Vicars Reverend Darren Phillip Balkey, Reverend Binoy Punnorkottu Davis, and Reverend Nicholas J. Kramer. Reverend Chukwunonso Arthur Nnebe-Agumadu serves as Priest in Residence while also serving as Chaplain of Charlotte Catholic High School. Retired priests Father Robert Conway and Father Dennis Kuhn continue in residence. Four permanent deacons — Deacon Joe Becker, Deacon Daren Bitter, Deacon Lon Phillips, and Deacon Jack Staub — assist with parish ministry.

• Pastor: Fr. Patrick Cahill
• Parochial Vicars: Fr. Darren Balkey, Fr. Binoy Davis, Fr. Nicholas Kramer
• Priest in Residence (Chaplain, Charlotte Catholic High School): Fr. Chukwunonso Nnebe-Agumadu
• Retired in residence: Fr. Robert Conway, Fr. Dennis Kuhn
• Deacons: Joe Becker, Daren Bitter, Lon Phillips, Jack Staub

Faith Formation and Education

Faith formation is organized under the Director of Religious Education and offers a full life-cycle pathway from early childhood through adult initiation. Children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in the early grades, with continued formation through elementary and middle school and a robust Confirmation program for teens. Adults enter the Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), with a parallel RCIA track for teens and children led by Diane Kiradjieff. The parish also runs SPRED, a specialized religious education program for persons with developmental disabilities. St. Matthew Catholic School (the Wildcats), a parish-affiliated school on a nearby campus, integrates Catholic identity into daily instruction and gathers the school community for the Wednesday School Mass.

• Director of Religious Education: Diane Kiradjieff
• Early Childhood Coordinator: Michelle Lyberg
• First Eucharist (1st–2nd Grade): Lori Mathews
• Elementary Coordinator (3rd–5th): Michelle Lyberg
• Family Programs Coordinator: Catherine Sforza
• Confirmation (Youth): Trish Martin
• Middle School and High School Youth Minister: Brianna Pavlish
• SPRED (developmentally disabled): Stephanie O'Shields
• Parish school: St. Matthew Catholic School (Wildcats)

Parish School: St. Matthew Catholic School

St. Matthew Catholic School is the parish's K-8 elementary school, educating 'Saints and Scholars' in a faith community committed to the four-fold purpose of Catholic education: teaching the message of Jesus, building community, serving, and worshipping. The faculty includes 32 full-time teachers, 23 teacher assistants, three part-time counselors, three full-time academic achievement teachers, a LEAP (Learning Enrichment Academic Program) teacher, a full-time nurse, a principal, and an assistant principal — both of whom hold a master's degree. About half of the faculty hold advanced degrees, and the student-faculty ratio is 11:1 with an average class size of 26. The Wednesday 8:15 am School Mass is a touchpoint of school-parish life, drawing faculty, students, and parish community together each week.

• 11:1 student-faculty ratio
• Average class size: 26
• Wednesday School Mass at 8:15 am
• Two teachers are St. Matthew alumni

Ministries and Parish Life

St. Matthew organizes its more than 100 ministries around four umbrella areas: Liturgy & Worship, Education & Faith Formation, Stewardship & Service, and Parish Family Life. The parish culture leans heavily on small groups and 'affinity groups for every need,' inspired in part by large evangelical models. Music ministry is led by Music Director Ken Boyce and includes the Grace Notes Children's Choir. Specialized groups include Christians in Career Transition (CICT) and the parish Counseling Center, which provides pastoral counseling through Christine Delaney. A dedicated Volunteer Coordinator (Rossana Alvarez on staff, Lennie Cox on the ministries portal) connects newcomers to service. A Gift Shop, Nursery, and parish-wide Safe Environment program support parish life and family participation.

• Music Director: Ken Boyce
• Grace Notes Children's Choir (GNCC)
• Christians in Career Transition (CICT)
• Parish Counseling Center: Christine Delaney
• Volunteer Coordinator: Rossana Alvarez (staff) / Lennie Cox (ministries portal)
• Gift Shop: Mary Davis
• Nursery: Maria King
• Safe Environment Coordinator: Lisa Hornung

Outreach and Charitable Giving

Outreach is a hallmark of parish identity. At the 30th anniversary in 2016, the parish honored the Sisters of Mercy and the late Sister Jeanne with a $75,000 gift to the New Life Center, recognizing the sisters' foundational work in the community alongside the establishment of Mercy South hospital in Matthews. Stewardship of time, talent, and treasure is named as a core pillar of parish life, and the parish operates a Safe Environment program to safeguard children and vulnerable adults.

• Sisters of Mercy partnership and 30th anniversary gift to the New Life Center
• Stewardship of time, talent, and treasure
• Safe Environment program

Operations, Communications, and Getting Involved

A large operations and communications team supports parish life at scale. The Chief Operating Officer, Antoinette Usher, oversees facilities, communications, ministries, and music. The Bulletin Editor manages Flocknote digital communications, while a Social Media/Website coordinator maintains online presence. A Facilities Scheduler, Maintenance Supervisor, Videographer/Audio Visual Coordinator, and Production Assistant keep the campus running and livestreams operating. Newcomers can connect through the parish's myParish app, online newcomer registration, or by contacting the Volunteer Coordinator. Office hours run Monday–Friday 9:00 am–4:30 pm and weekends 9:00 am–1:00 pm.

• COO: Antoinette Usher
• Bulletin Editor & Flocknote: Julia Turner
• Facilities Scheduler: Heather King
• Videographer/AV Coordinator: Jim Alvarez
• Production Assistant: Ben Frondorf
• Social Media/Website: Lisa Fick
• Maintenance Supervisor: John Zgombic
• Membership Coordinator: Sandy Sawyer

Visit, Contact, and Plan Your Visit

St. Matthew Catholic Church is located at 8015 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28277, in the Ballantyne neighborhood of south Charlotte. The mailing address for the parish office is P.O. Box 49349, Charlotte, NC 28277-0077. Phone: (704) 543-7677; Fax: (704) 542-7244. Email: [email protected]. The parish also operates St. Matthew South, a satellite campus in Waxhaw, NC, with its own weekend Mass schedule. Visitors are encouraged to explore membership through the parish's online registration and to download the myParish app for schedules, giving, and ministry sign-ups.

• Address: 8015 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28277
• Mailing: P.O. Box 49349, Charlotte, NC 28277-0077
• Phone: (704) 543-7677
• Fax: (704) 542-7244
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am–4:30 pm; Sat–Sun 9:00 am–1:00 pm
• myParish app available for Mass, giving, and ministry connections