In 1974 Olive Mackay Petersen wrote a book about the Diocese of Moosonee entitled The Land of the Moosoneek. This is an invaluable source of information about the early years of the Anglican Church in the north. The following excerpts, about St. Matthew’s Cathedral, are from her book:

In July 1911 - just before the great fire - Bishop Anderson, accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Trivett, whose headquarters were then at Golden City, visited Timmins, when almost the only buildings were the railway station and a few mine structures. The next year services were held irregularly in a building belonging to Charlie Pierce, opposite the freight sheds on Spruce Street. Meanwhile Sunday School had been started in a dance-hall above Tom King's pool room. Such was the situation when the Timmins Townsite Company decided to set aside two plots of land, as sites for Anglican and Roman Catholic church buildings.

The first church in Timmins was built in 1913. The manager of the Hollinger Mine at that time was Mr. P.A. Robbins, an Anglican. Thinking, no doubt, that worship and Sunday School should not be held in a pool room, he decided that he himself would take the responsibility of building a hall - which he did, at a cost of $3500. The first Anglican service was held in the new building on Nov. 16, 1913, and was conducted by Mr. H.A. Ackland, student-in-charge. He remained for about a year, meanwhile having his sleeping quarters in the basement of the building.........

A considerable part of the money needed to finance the Parish still came from England; and thereby hangs the tale of how the church got its name. The first People's Warden, Mr. Woodbury, described how "an English widow" sent ten pounds to help the infant congregation. In deference to her request that the new church be named for her favorite saint, the church became St. Matthew's.

In the fall of 1915 Bishop Anderson conferred with Mr. Robbins and other Mine representatives who had erected the church buildings - the hall and a house - and an agreement was entered into whereby the buildings were to be turned over to the Diocese, provided that the Bishop would appoint and guarantee to keep a clergyman in Timmins. ....

The Rev. J.D. Paterson, who had recently left the Parish of Monteith to be Diocesan Missioner, was available, and he was asked to take charge at St. Matthew's, though he was then only in deacon's orders. A few days before Christmas his wife joined him in Timmins. On Christmas day he was ordained priest by the Bishop.....

"There was considerable debt to be met, and in Lent we undertook a real effort, which was so successful that we paid off the total debt Easter Sunday, 1916, and immediately asked the Bishop to consecrate the Church, which he did a few weeks later." .......

St. Matthew's, Timmins, remained substantially the same until 1926, when it was enlarged by the addition of a chancel and sanctuary at the east and a vestibule on the west. The size of the basement was increased also and a kitchen installed. The first service after completion was held on Dec. 5, 1926, and the Rev. R.S. Cushing was rector.

In Timmins, St. Matthew's Church had become totally inadequate to house the congregations. A scheme was put before the parishioners whereby a mere ten cents a week was pledged by a very large number until such time as the dream would become a reality - a church building that would accommodate the ever-increasing needs. In two years, with the help of a few generous donations, the total amount exceeded $25,000.

On Nov. 30, 1947, the Rt. Rev. R.J. Renison dedicated what had become the Pro-Cathedral of the Diocese. At the very impressive service every available seat was taken, and many stood throughout the ceremony.

Then on June 6, 1948, St. Matthew's was again filled for an Induction and Installation service at which the Rev. Cuthbert Cooper Robinson was inducted as Rector of the Pro-Cathedral.

1960 was a significant year in the life of St. Matthew's Pro-Cathedral, highlighted by two events. On Nov. 22, 1960, Bishop Robinson conducted a special service of dedication of the Archbishop Renison Memorial Window and of the enlarged church building. "We thank God", said Bishop Robinson of his immediate predecessor, "for this life, his service, his vision and his leadership.".

It was hard to guess what they would be up to next in the Pro-Cathedral. As it happened, the next ceremony was the installation of the Very Rev. G.C.C. Scovil as Dean, on Nov. 6, 1961. The sermon was preached by the Rev. J. H. Watson, Rector of All Saints’ Church in Noranda. Mr Watson pointed out that the installation of the new Dean almost coincided with the proclamation of Bishop Robinson which changed the status of St. Matthew’s Church from that of a Pro-Cathedral to the dignity of The Cathedral Church of the Diocese.

The Rectors of St. Matthew’s Cathedral:

The Reverend Canon J. D. Paterson - 1915-1917
The Reverend Canon R. S. Cushing - 1917-1944
The Reverend A. Robert Chidwick - 1944-1948
The Reverend C. Cooper Robinson - 1948-1954
The Reverend J. A. Watton - 1955-1957
The Reverend J. S. Bell - 1957-1961
The Very Reverend G.C.C.Scovil - 1961-1974
The Very Reverend John R. H. Fowler - 1974-1984
The Very Reverend Jerry Smith - 1985-1990
The Reverend K. Carl Triskle - 1992-1994
The Very Reverend E. W. Ted Clarke - 1996-2000
The Very Reverend Marcus Germaine - 2001-2006
The Very Reverend Sharon Murdoch - 2007-Present