About Us

Matton's Grove Methodist Church  is a welcoming, mission minded, hardworking congregation that values and supports their rich Methodist heritage celebrating over 150 years of ministry. It is our goal to provide a welcoming environment in worship with the purpose of sharing the the story of salvation through the saving grace of Christ available for all. We want to encourage discipleship and spiritual growth opportunities in all we do. With thankfulness for the large percentage of young people, often 25% of our congregation in worship, we have been dedicated to strengthening the spiritual formation of this age group.  This is done through our weekly children's church and children’s sermons, providing acolytes' training, supporting through funds and manpower our community Youth IMPACT group, engaging youth to lead in worship and in many other ways.  We also provide a weekly Bible Study for all ages through Sunday School. The church reaches out to the community through its card ministry and continues tradition with the Christmas Eve play and service as well as VBS. The church supports generously many causes. Monthly, we financially support a local family or ministry outside of the church, as well as local food and drug treatment ministries. 

Matton’s Grove Church was organized in 1868. Land was given for a camp meeting, a church and a cemetery by the Goright and Leddie Sells family, still a prominent name in the church today. In the fall of 1871, Matton’s Grove became the first Methodist Episcopal Church in Stanly County. It was named for the presiding elder who dedicated it, W.G. Matton. They continued to meet in a brush arbor until a church building was constructed in 1896. A new sanctuary was constructed in 1975 in which the church meets today. However, the old church is now called the historic church and still sits across the street. It is used for weddings, revivals, and special services which demonstrates their pride in their heritage. The history shows the last names on the roll in 1871 continue to be identical to many of the names one sees on the rolls now.  Currently, Matton’s Grove has 136 members. Twenty-five percent of their active members are under the age of 20. Average attendance pre-pandemic was 85 with high Sundays being over 100. Post-pandemic, attendance currently averages 70 in worship attendance, and they continue to provide online services.  Rev. Hayes came to this church on a two church charge in July, 2017.  They are co-sponsors of a Community Youth Group, IMPACT Youth, with paid youth leaders that meets bi-monthly with an average participation of over 25 youth, half of which are not connected with any church.

In December 2022, the church voted unanimously to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church. This officially took effect May 6, 2023.