June 19, 1965: Bishop Kellenberg assigned Fr. Goggin to establish the new Parish of St. Matthew in Dix Hills. Fr. Patrick Armshaw was named assistant Pastor.
Aug 11, 1965: Father Goggin established a temporary Rectory at 27 Euclid Ave. in Deer Park.
Sept. 1, 1965: First Mass was said in living room chapel. First altar boy was Kevin Collery
Oct 3, 1965: A store to be used as a Church was discovered to be available in the Elwood Shopping Center on Jericho Turnpike. The store could accommodate 400 people. First Masses in the store-church were celebrated Oct 3, and was attended by 2000 people. Two weeks later, two evening Masses were added.
Oct 18, 1965: First Rosary Society meeting. 181 women attended. Mrs. Terry Reddy appointed temporary President; elected to a regular term shortly after.
Nov 9, 1965: It was essential that as soon as possible the Census be taken of the territory. Plans were made to meet on Nov. 9 to enlist volunteers to take up the Census. The meeting never took place because of the memorable massive electrical blackout.
May 7 and 14, 1966: First Communion was given in two sessions. 120 children at the first and 121 at the second.
Oct 21, 1966: First Anniversary Dance – Four Seasons, Woodbury, 924 people attended.
Dec 25, 1966: Christmas Midnight Mass in the store. Very severe snow storm. 350 people attended.
Feb 9, 1967: Began a fundraising campaign to seek pledges of $350,000.00 from our parishioners.
Nov 3, 1967: At long last, the priests took up residence in the new Rectory.
Dec 25, 1967: The first Mass ever celebrated in our beautiful new church was the Midnight Mass of Christmas. An overflow crowd of 1500 people attended.
May 19, 1968: The formal Dedication of St. Matthew’s Church was made by Bishop Kellenberg.
Since then Saint Matthew’s Parish witnessed expansion and with the addition of a the striking Parish Center building under its Second Pastor, Monsignor Saverio Mattei in the late 1980’s and 90’s the parish had at its disposal a fine new facility for education, athletics, meetings and administration.
Monsignor Mattei enhanced the church so ably built and dedicated under Monsignor Goggin and our Parish is well-known as meeting place for many Diocesan events and meetings.