Saint Matthew Church

An Ecumenical Catholic Community

Home    What's News?    Community Life    SMOPPS    Church Staff    Pastoral Letters     Wedding Ministry

Our Distinctives    Our History    Old Catholic Roots    Apostolic Succession    Diocese    Links

Wedding Ministry

Yes, you can be married by a Catholic Priest!

There are many circumstances that prevent couples from celebrating a Catholic marriage ceremony. These circumstances might include:

• Divorce: A previous marriage with no church annulment.
• Arrangements for a ceremony in a location other than a parish church
• A desire for “neutral ground” in the case of interfaith couples.
• The incompatibility of other Roman Catholic Church restrictions with your particular needs.

Because Saint Matthew Church is an ecumenical Catholic church, we possess more flexible marriage canons and less restrictive wedding guidelines than Roman Catholic parishes. Saint Matthew Church offers an alternative for couples who would otherwise be compelled to settle for a ceremony that would not be in accord with their Catholic faith tradition. Although independent of the Roman Catholic Church, all the priests of Saint Matthew Church have been ordained to the same sacramental priesthood considered valid by the Roman Catholic Church and, of course, legal in the State of California.

Celebrate at the location of your choice.

The priests of Saint Matthew Church will celebrate your wedding at locations other than in our parish church. Some of the possibilities may include:

• A church or wedding chapel;
• A garden, home or hotel;
• In a park, aboard a boat, or over-looking the ocean.

Arrangements with Saint Matthew Church priests are simple to make.

Call and make an appointment to visit us. Of course, you are always welcome to join us for Sunday Mass as well.

Interfaith Ceremonies

To respond to special interfaith needs, the priests of Saint Matthew Church will also officiate jointly with clergy of other denominations.

The Priests of Saint Matthew Church, as part of an ecumenical Catholic community, are deeply concerned over the number of people who are leaving the Catholic faith tradition because of problems with marriage disciplines. Our priests are here to help you resolve some of these problems and make your wedding all that you want it to be.

Our Parish Church

Saint Matthew Church is located at 1111 W. Town and Country Road in the city of Orange, CA. The use of our beautiful environment has a seating capacity of 150, includes candles, dressing room accommodations, and the services of a wedding coordinator. 

For further information or an Appointment, please contact the Wedding Ministry:

(714) 647-1777