About St. Matthew · San Mateo, California
St. Matthew Parish is the oldest Catholic parish in San Mateo County, California, having gathered the people of San Mateo in worship and service since 1863. A diverse, bilingual (English and Spanish) Roman Catholic community within the Archdiocese of San Francisco, it is anchored by the historic church at One Notre Dame Avenue and is closely tied to St. Matthew Catholic School on South El Camino Real. The parish offers daily and Sunday Masses in English and Spanish, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, regular Confessions, faith formation for children and adults, and a robust roster of lay ministries including the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Its current pastor is Msgr. John Talesfore, who is assisted by parochial vicars Rev. Andy de Guzman and Rev. Rufino Gepiga.
- Established
- 1863
- Patron
- St. Matthew the Apostle
- Rector
- Msgr. John Talesfore
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
St. Matthew is a diverse, welcoming Catholic home in the heart of San Mateo — the oldest parish in the county, where Sunday Mass is offered in both English and Spanish, and where the faith is passed on through a parish school dating to 1931 and a year-round faith formation program. Members pray together at daily Mass, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, and regular Confession, and serve together through ministries like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Social Action Ministry, Nocturnal Adoration, hospitality, and outreach to those in need.
Mass times at St. Matthew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 5:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. (English, Chapel)
- Tuesday: 5:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. (English; Spanish also offered)
- Wednesday: 5:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. (English; Spanish also offered)
- Thursday: 5:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. (English; Spanish also offered)
- Friday: 5:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. (English, Chapel)
- Saturday: 11:30 a.m.–12:00 noon (English and Spanish)
Adoration times
- Weekday Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel: approximately 12:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament following the 12:05 p.m. Mass
- Benediction following 5:00–5:30 p.m. Confessions
- Nocturnal Adoration (English)
- Nocturnal Adoration (Spanish)
Parish Mission and Identity
St. Matthew Parish describes itself as a diverse Catholic community that has gathered the people of San Mateo in worship and in service since 1863. Its stated mission is to grow in love of God and neighbor, devote itself to following Christ's path, commit to Christian education of the young, outreach to the poor, and justice for the oppressed. Pinned to the parish website are four core values: Service, Community, Love, and Faith — each rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition and expressed through worship, social gatherings, and outreach.
- Core values: Service, Community, Love, Faith
- Welcomes parishioners of all cultural backgrounds
- Rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition
History of the Parish
Catholic presence in San Mateo reaches back to March 29, 1776, when Father Pedro Font celebrated the first known Mass in town along San Mateo Creek during the Anza expedition. The parish itself was established in 1863 by Father Denis Dempsey under Archbishop Alemany as the first parish in San Mateo County. Over the next four decades, growth followed the railroad, and the Sisters of the Holy Family began teaching religion classes in the church basement and parishioners' homes. The school was founded in 1931 under Monsignor Harry J. Lyne, expanding the parish's educational mission for generations to come.
- 1776: First Mass in San Mateo celebrated by Father Pedro Font (Anza expedition)
- 1863: Parish founded by Father Denis Dempsey under Archbishop Alemany
- First formal church: wood-steeple structure at Third Avenue and 'A' Street (today Ellsworth), land donated by Charles B. Polhemus
- 1931: St. Matthew School opened on the former Tobin Clark Estate by the Sisters of the Holy Cross
- 1947: Pope Pius XII names Fr. Harry J. Lyne a Domestic Prelate (Monsignor)
Parish Ministries and Outreach
The parish invites parishioners to consider joining one of its ministries, which range from formation and liturgy to social action. After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Social Action Ministry reconvened as a group of active parishioners committed to Catholic Social Justice. The parish also hosts the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, ministries of hospitality (ushers), and faith formation programs for adults and children. Adult Faith Formation (OCIA — the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) is coordinated through the parish office.
- Adult Faith Formation / OCIA
- Faith Formation (children and youth)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Social Action Ministry (Catholic Social Justice)
- Weekday Eucharistic Adoration
- Nocturnal Adoration (English and Spanish)
- Ministers of Hospitality (Ushers)
St. Matthew Catholic School
St. Matthew Catholic School has educated Peninsula children since 1931, when Father (later Monsignor) Harry J. Lyne purchased the Tobin Clark Estate and converted it into classrooms. Seven Sisters of the Holy Cross opened the school on August 10, 1931, with an initial enrollment of 100. The campus has grown over the decades: a new school building and auditorium in the 1930s, an additional section in 1939 housing fifth and sixth grade, Lyne Hall in 1948 (now 'the ramp,' housing kindergarten through fourth grade), and a state-of-the-art gymnasium added in 2014. The school is led by a principal and vice-principal and serves as a key partner in the parish's faith formation of the young.
- Founded August 10, 1931
- Originally staffed by seven Sisters of the Holy Cross
- Opened with 100 students; first year ended with 140
- Campus growth: 1930s building/auditorium, 1939 section, 1948 Lyne Hall, 2014 gymnasium
- Located at 910 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94402
Becoming a Parishioner
Newcomers are welcomed to register as parishioners of St. Matthew. A registration form is available for download from the parish website; it can be completed online in certain browsers, printed and returned to the parish office, dropped in the Sunday collection basket, or emailed as an attachment to the parish office. The parish's message to new arrivals: '…we're saving a pew for you!'
- Registration form available on stmatthew-parish.org
- Can be mailed, dropped in collection basket, or emailed
- Parish office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Pastoral Staff
St. Matthew is shepherded by Monsignor John Talesfore as Pastor, with parochial vicars Rev. Andy de Guzman and Rev. Rufino Gepiga assisting in the care of the parish community. Earlier parish bulletins and GuideStar confirm Msgr. Talesfore has long served as pastor, listed as board chair for the parish's nonprofit entity.
- Msgr. John Talesfore, Pastor
- Rev. Andy de Guzman
- Rev. Rufino Gepiga
Contact and Visit
The parish office is located at One Notre Dame Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94402, and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The main phone line is (650) 344-7622; email is [email protected]. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, whose directory page lists the parish address, phone, and a link to the parish website.
- Address: One Notre Dame Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94402
- Phone: (650) 344-7622
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Archdiocese: Archdiocese of San Francisco
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Denis Dempsey1863–c.1881
First pastor; founded the parish at the direction of Archbishop Alemany; served 18 years.
- Monsignor Timothy Callaghan
Immediate predecessor of Fr. Lyne; the parish's fourth pastor.
- Father (later Monsignor) Harry J. Lyne1934–1948
Fifth pastor; established St. Matthew Catholic School in 1931 by purchasing the Tobin Clark Estate; named Domestic Prelate by Pope Pius XII in 1947.