The founders of St. Matthew's came from Germany and settled in the valley east of what is now Stoddard. These early pioneers gathered in homes of neighbors to discuss the establishment of a congregation. A 25' x 20' white frame building on the William Wehling farm and a cemetery was plotted in 1869.

On January 27, 1870, a congregational meeting was called. At this meeting a constitution was adopted and the new congregation became known as the German Evangelical Lutheran St. Matthew's Congregation in Town Bergen, Vernon County, Wisconsin. The first president and pastor of this congretation was Pastor H. Kittle of La Crosse. This small congregation continued to grow and in 1897 a new house of worship was built on Main Street in Stoddard. The church park and parsonage were purchased in the early 1920's. I. M. Brachebusch was our first resident pastor. He was installed in 1923 to serve St. Matthew's. Before this time the congregation shared pastors with congregations of Hamburg and Chaseburg. On August 16, 1970 we celebrated our centennial.

From July, 1974 until May, 1979 we supported Mr David Enter at Mr. Calvary Lutheran School in LaCrosse. On October 8, 1978 we voted to build and operate our own school and to construct a new church building. Building of the new structure began in November, 1978 and was completed in July, 1979. Mr. Enter was our principal; Mrs Barbara Seidl was called in August of 1979; and Miss Mary Brinkman joined us in the fall of 1980 from Chaseburg.

First services were held in our new church on July 29, 1979 with dedication services being held on September 16, 1979. The bell tower was dedicated on December 25, 1979.

During our 140 years we have had 17 servants of the Lord preaching the Gospel and administering the sacrament to us.