There is a place for you here

You are welcome at St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel Lutheran Church, however you identify, racially, culturally, or ethnically. We are a Reconciling in Christ congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; you are welcome, however you choose to name your sexual identity. You are welcome here whatever your age, ability, or legal, economic, or relational status. All are welcome. “All” means all.  We give thanks to God for your presence, and pray that you will find renewal, joy and strength through your participation in today’s service.  If you are a visitor seeking a church home, we invite you to join us on our journey. We welcome all children to be present during the entire Worship Service. 

Meet the Team

  • Pr. Luis Echandía

    Interim Transitional Pastor

  • Deacon Nadine Cordes

    Deacon Emeritus

  • Mary Fasano

    Organist; Choir Director

  • Farah Franqui

    Sexton

  • Zarina Salt-Sanjana

    Office Manager

  • Katherine Anderson

    Church Council President

  • Heather Berry

    Sunday School Superintendent

  • Anna Jasch

    Sunday School Superintendent

  • Marc Youngblood

    Director, PHSSC

Council Members

Katherine Anderson, President

Laura Gruenburg, Vice President

Geoffrey Thomas, Secretary

Joanna Laine, Treasurer

Heather Berry

Nadine Cordes

Tom DiChristopher

Brit Geiger

Jennifer Herbert

Laura Lutchman

Deborah Maltby

Marie Towle

Daniel Vizzini

Council Meeting Minutes

June 2025

May 2025

April 2025

Our History

The church known today as St. John–St. Matthew–Emanuel Lutheran Church came about from the merger of three congregations in 1974: St. Matthew Evangelical English Lutheran Church, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and The German Evangelical Emanuel Lutheran Church

  • St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran

    St. Matthew Evangelical English Lutheran Church was established in 1859, and was the first English speaking Lutheran Church in Brooklyn. After years of leasing space in other church buildings, St. Matthew bought a lot on the corner of 6th Avenue and 2nd Street and erected a sanctuary of its own in 1895. In 1948, Emanuel Lutheran merged with St. Matthew and the church was renamed St. Matthew–Emanuel Lutheran Church.

    Source: NYC Ago

  • German Ev. Emanuel Lutheran (c.1903)

    The German Evangelical Emanuel Lutheran Church was formed in 1884 by several families who left St. John's Lutheran after that congregation switched from a strictly German-speaking church to one that was bilingual (German and English). In 1903, the society purchased a church building on 7th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues, where they flourished until consolidating with St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in 1948.

    Source: NYC Ago

  • Interior (1929) showing Hook & Hastings organ

    Church interior and organ: Photograph from an archival source: Brooklyn Public Library via the NYC AGO NYC Organ Project, Taken approx. 1929

    Source: NYC Ago

  • Organ Case

    The present organ was installed in 1906 by the Hook & Hastings Company of Boston. Originally built with tubular-pneumatic action, the organ was later electrified by the James H. Rae Co. of Brooklyn.

    Photograph by the NYC AGO Organ Project, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2014-11-08

    Source: NYC Ago