St. Matthew's and St. Paul's Anglican/United Church as the name implies is a ministry which is shared by the Anglican Church of Canada and the United Church of Canada. Both congregations have been represented in the Hearst area for more than 75 years. In this largely French Canadian community of 6,000 persons the ministry of this parish is to the Anglophones in this part of the Diocese of Moosonee. It is combined ministry has been exercised for the past three decades. Prior to the establishment of this shared ministry, both supporting denominations maintained their own respective churches. In addition the Parish shares the Incumbent half time with St. Luke's Anglican Church in Hornepayne, 135 kilometers distant. This has resulted in the development of a lay leader program in both Hearst and Hornepayne. The congregation of St. Matthew's and St. Paul's extends a warm welcome to any visitors to our area who wish to join with us for worship. St. Matthew's and St. Paul's has experienced some down sizing due to the re-organization of the Ministry of Natural Resources four years ago with the subsequent ripple effects through the labour pool. The primary industry in Hearst is logging and the manufacture of softwood products. There is also a growing tourist industry in the area.