Father Joseph G. Kovitch had just been appointed the priest for St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Westerville, Ohio, when the parish came face to face with the financial realities of a dwindling congregation. A “For Sale” sign went up in St. Matthew’s front yard and Father Joe and the parishioners began to completely re-envision themselves in the community. The church shed its identity of brick, mortar, financial security and want, as well as any fear of losing traditions and control, and began to find freedom and renewed purpose.
The Church and Proximity is the story of how it happened and what it meant to the St. Matthew’s community.