Gillette, St. Matthew 1970-1980

St. Matthew Church
The parish history for Saint Matthew’s Church in Gillette, Wyoming, for the years 1970 - 1980 follows:

Rev. Cornelius O’Connor served as pastor from 1968 until 1970. In September of 1970, Rev. James Ruddy was appointed pastor of St. Matthew’s parish. The title of Monsignor was bestowed upon him in January of 1974. During his early years as pastor of St. Matthew’s, Msgr. Ruddy was assisted at various times by Rev. James Healy and by Rev. Vincent Bauer. In October 1975, Rev. Vincent Langfield was appointed to serve as an assistant in St. Matthew’s parish.

New Church Complex Built: With continuing growth in the parish and because of a shortage of priests in the diocese and an indication that Gillette might have only one priest in the future, there was a need for a church with a larger seating capacity. In October 1974, St. Matthew’s Church was vacated and Mass was offered in St. Matthew’s Parish Hall. A fund raising campaign was launched. On November 1, 1974, St. Matthew’s purchased two blocks of land on butler Speaeth Road for $50,000. The former church, rectory, and adjoining lots on Gillette Avenue were sold for $150,000.

Architect Jan Wilking of Casper was engaged to draw up plans for a new church complex, and on April 8, 1975, a contract was let to Julien Construction of Cody for $670,000 to build the church, hall, and adjoining rectory. In November of 1975, the parish hall property on Gillette Avenue was sold to the Campbell County School District for $200,000. The new St. Matthew’s Church, hall, and rectory were completed, and dedicated on August 18, 1976, with His Excellency Bishop Hubert M. Newell officiating. With the cost of furnishings added to the contract with Julien Construction, the total cost of the church, hall, and rectory, was between $800,000 and $900,000. The extra land south of the church (Block 26) was sold for $70,000 in the fall of 1977.

Parish Council Formed: A parish advisory council consisting of twelve lay persons was formed in November 1975. Meeting four times a year in regular session, the purpose of the council is to advise and assist the pastors in matters pertaining to the spiritual and temporal welfare of the parish. The first advisory council members were appointed by Msgr. Ruddy for terms of one, two, or three years. Subsequent members have been elected by the parish.

BVM Sisters: In August, 1975, Sister Mary Kelliher, of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, came to St. Matthew’s parish to assist with the religious education program and with home visits. She was joined by Sister Anita Montavon in August 1977. In April 1977, St. Matthew’s parish purchased a house for the sisters to use as a convent. A purchase price of $50,500 was paid for the residence at 706 West 10th. This was sold in the fall of 1979 for approximately $72,000, and house closer to the church was purchased. Cost of the new convent, which is located at 1608 Monte Vista, was $66,500.

Sister Mary Artura Buza joined Sisters Mary and Anita in the fall of 1978, and served in the parish until May of 1979. Sister Mary Christella Dee came to St. Matthew’s parish in August, 1980, again bringing to three the number of BVM sisters serving the parish.

Death of Msgr. Ruddy: On August 10, 1978, Msgr. Ruddy suffered a heart attack and died. Bishop Newell and priests of the diocese gathered in Gillette to join with friends and parishioners for the wake and funeral Mass. Msgr. Ruddy was buried in Mr. Pisgah Cemetery at Gillette on August 16, 1978.

Following Msgr. Ruddy’s death, Rev. Joseph Fraher was appointed pastor of St. Matthew’s. In 1979, he was joined by Rev. Vincent Langfield as co-pastor.

Permanent Deacon Ordained: John Aloisio was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by His Excellency Bishop Joseph Hart at St. Matthew’s Church on October 28, 1979. The Rev. Mr. Aloisio’s duties include marrying, baptizing, officiating at funerals, preaching, serving as an ordinary minister of Holy Communion, visiting the hospital and the Pioneer Manor.

Mission at Wright Established: The community of Wright, which is 40 miles south of Gillette, was established as a Mission of Gillette. Property was purchased for the future of the mission there. The lot is 3-1/2 acres and cost $13,590. The first Mass was said on Easter Sunday of 1980, and services are now held there on the first and third Sundays of the month.

Back to INDEX		St. Matthew Church The parish history for Saint Matthew’s Church in Gillette, Wyoming, for the years 1970 - 1980 follows: Rev. Cornelius O’Connor served as pastor from 1968 until 1970. In September of 1970, Rev. James Ruddy was appointed pastor of St. Matthew’s parish. The title of Monsignor was bestowed upon him in January of 1974. During his early years as pastor of St. Matthew’s, Msgr. Ruddy was assisted at various times by Rev. James Healy and by Rev. Vincent Bauer. In October 1975, Rev. Vincent Langfield was appointed to serve as an assistant in St. Matthew’s parish. New Church Complex Built: With continuing growth in the parish and because of a shortage of priests in the diocese and an indication that Gillette might have only one priest in the future, there was a need for a church with a larger seating capacity. In October 1974, St. Matthew’s Church was vacated and Mass was offered in St. Matthew’s Parish Hall. A fund raising campaign was launched. On November 1, 1974, St. Matthew’s purchased two blocks of land on butler Speaeth Road for $50,000. The former church, rectory, and adjoining lots on Gillette Avenue were sold for $150,000. Architect Jan Wilking of Casper was engaged to draw up plans for a new church complex, and on April 8, 1975, a contract was let to Julien Construction of Cody for $670,000 to build the church, hall, and adjoining rectory. In November of 1975, the parish hall property on Gillette Avenue was sold to the Campbell County School District for $200,000. The new St. Matthew’s Church, hall, and rectory were completed, and dedicated on August 18, 1976, with His Excellency Bishop Hubert M. Newell officiating. With the cost of furnishings added to the contract with Julien Construction, the total cost of the church, hall, and rectory, was between $800,000 and $900,000. The extra land south of the church (Block 26) was sold for $70,000 in the fall of 1977. Parish Council Formed: A parish advisory council consisting of twelve lay persons was formed in November 1975. Meeting four times a year in regular session, the purpose of the council is to advise and assist the pastors in matters pertaining to the spiritual and temporal welfare of the parish. The first advisory council members were appointed by Msgr. Ruddy for terms of one, two, or three years. Subsequent members have been elected by the parish. BVM Sisters: In August, 1975, Sister Mary Kelliher, of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, came to St. Matthew’s parish to assist with the religious education program and with home visits. She was joined by Sister Anita Montavon in August 1977. In April 1977, St. Matthew’s parish purchased a house for the sisters to use as a convent. A purchase price of $50,500 was paid for the residence at 706 West 10th. This was sold in the fall of 1979 for approximately $72,000, and house closer to the church was purchased. Cost of the new convent, which is located at 1608 Monte Vista, was $66,500. Sister Mary Artura Buza joined Sisters Mary and Anita in the fall of 1978, and served in the parish until May of 1979. Sister Mary Christella Dee came to St. Matthew’s parish in August, 1980, again bringing to three the number of BVM sisters serving the parish. Death of Msgr. Ruddy: On August 10, 1978, Msgr. Ruddy suffered a heart attack and died. Bishop Newell and priests of the diocese gathered in Gillette to join with friends and parishioners for the wake and funeral Mass. Msgr. Ruddy was buried in Mr. Pisgah Cemetery at Gillette on August 16, 1978. Following Msgr. Ruddy’s death, Rev. Joseph Fraher was appointed pastor of St. Matthew’s. In 1979, he was joined by Rev. Vincent Langfield as co-pastor. Permanent Deacon Ordained: John Aloisio was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by His Excellency Bishop Joseph Hart at St. Matthew’s Church on October 28, 1979. The Rev. Mr. Aloisio’s duties include marrying, baptizing, officiating at funerals, preaching, serving as an ordinary minister of Holy Communion, visiting the hospital and the Pioneer Manor. Mission at Wright Established: The community of Wright, which is 40 miles south of Gillette, was established as a Mission of Gillette. Property was purchased for the future of the mission there. The lot is 3-1/2 acres and cost $13,590. The first Mass was said on Easter Sunday of 1980, and services are now held there on the first and third Sundays of the month. Back to Top