The new parish was to fulfill a great need to Roman Catholics in the area for a place to worship closer to home. Prior to the founding of St. Matthews. early parishioners had to travel by horse and buggy miles to one of two existing parishesSt. John the Evangelist Cathedral or St. Vincent de Paul Church. both in Syracuse--often a difficult and dangerous journey in the severe winter months common to central New York. Thus drawing from the large concentration of Irish and German immigrants. St. Matthews Roman Catholic Church grew quickly in membership and became firmly established as a parish serving the needs of the burgeoning village of East Syracuse.
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