Frequently asked questions

I haven't been to church in a long time. I'm not sure where to begin?

You’re welcome at St. Matthew’s whether you’re an avid church-goer or haven’t stepped foot in one in decades. We don’t discriminate.



I'm Catholic / Baptist / Methodist / etc. Will I fit in?

Absolutely. When we say “all are welcome,” we mean everyone. If you come from a Catholic, Baptist, or Methodist background, you’ll find that many Episcopilian traditions are similar.



I'm not Episcopalian... can I still receive Communion?

ALL baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion at St. Matt's.



Do I need to dress up for services?

Not at all, but feel free to if that’s your thing. We’ll just be glad to see you.



How does St. Matthew’s help the community?

It’s our mission and purpose to love and support others in every way we can, and community service is a major part of who we are here at St. Matthew’s. Programs like Backpack Buddies, LINK Food Pantry, Second Saturday activities, and mission trips are designed to show God’s love through meaningful action.



I'm out of work. I want to come to church but feel embarrassed that I can't afford to give.

Grace and belonging are free. At our 9:30 AM service we won't even pass a collection plate.



Are you going to try to tell me how to vote?

No. We’re interested in sharing God’s love through joyful worship and unity, not politics.



Church can be boring. Will my kids like it?

We strive to be inspirational, genuine, and engaging. Our 9:30 service is perfect for families and we’ve even got a live rock band!



Do I have to convert or something? What if I’m not religious?

You’re welcome here at any time without conditions.



Are you a megachurch?

No, far from it. We’re a modest-sized church that strives to be genuine, personal, and loving.



I've seen "Cameron Parish" on church materials. What is that?

We were wondering the same thing. The name "Cameron Parish" has been on church materials longer than most folks in the congregation. Here's what we found on Wikipedia: The Anglican church was the established religion of the Colony of Virginia from 1619 - 1776. Each parish in the colony was ministered to by a single minister and governed by a vestry usually composed of 12 local men of wealth and standing in the community. Parishes were created by acts of the House of Burgesses and the upper house of the legislature, the Governor's Council. Cameron Parish was created by the General Assembly of Virginia in 1748 when Truro Parish was divided along Difficult Run. It included what is, at present, Loudoun County and the western part of Fairfax County. The parish was named for Thomas, Lord Fairfax, who was also 6th Baron Cameron. He was the lord proprietor of much of Northern Virginia during the colonial period, which he inherited through his mother's line, the Culpepers. In 1763, the parish boundaries were adjusted to include all of Loudoun County, as it was then configured. In 1770, Shelburne Parish was created out of the western part of Cameron Parish. Thus, Cameron Parish's final boundaries included the Potomac River on the north, Bull Run on the south, Goose Creek to the west, and the Fairfax County line in the east. The oldest chapel built in what would become Cameron Parish was originally a “Chapel of Ease for the comfort of the people above the Goose Creek," built in 1733 by the vestry of Truro Parish. It was a log structure near the Big Spring about two miles north of present-day Leesburg. Other churches built were all also wooden structures and included Rocky Run Chapel, Broad Run Church, and Mountain Chapel. In 1773, the Sugarland Run Church, a brick structure, was built on a site in present-day Sterling.



Contact Us

If you have additional questions or would just like to speak to someone, please contact us... we'd love to chat!



(703) 430-2121

201 E Frederick Dr, Sterling, VA 20164