[News Release from St. Matthew’s] The Parish of St. Matthew [link as www.stmatthews.com] jubilantly announced today that the Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy has been called as the priest-in-charge at the Pacific Palisades church, while the parish continues its search for a permanent Rector.
McCarthy will step in to support the clergy and lay staff, provide day-to-day oversight of church operations, lead parish programs and outreach initiatives, and inspire the entire parish community – which continues its recovery and rebuilding process after the devastating Jan. 7, 2025 fire and moves forward after the recent retirement of its previous rector, the Rev. Bruce A. Freeman.
For almost 10 years, McCarthy has served as canon to the ordinary and chief of staff for the Diocese of Los Angeles, amassing significant experience supporting churches through times of transition and challenge. “We are excited to welcome Melissa as priest-in-charge,” said Heather Jones, St. Matthew’s senior warden. “We know what a wonderful, pastoral presence she will provide to our congregation while the rector search is underway.”
The Rt. Rev. John H. Taylor, bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles shared his enthusiasm: “Melissa is one of the finest priests in the church, a skilled pastor, teacher, and preacher and a magnificent administrator, with deep, practical, intuitive vision about the church’s thriving in the 21st century. Her approach to any situation is for everyone to go forward together, with none left out. We’re going to miss her profoundly at St. Paul’s Commons, and yet we commend her with love to her new ministry with the people of St. Matthew’s.”
The Parish of St. Matthew will celebrate McCarthy’s arrival at its 10 a.m. service on March 15, 2026. For more information about St. Matthew’s, please visit its website at www.stmatthews.com.