Fr. Paul Mather School for Ministry: About Fr. Paul

Fr. Paul's Life and Ministry

Paul Mather moved to Ketchikan from ? around 1900 with his brother, Casper. A leader in the Tsimsian Indian community, he was the first deacon of St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, established as a Native congregation in 1927. He served until his death in 1942. To supplement his meager income, he began a "cottage industry" in the church basement, enlisting the help of his wife and their children in the production of Native curios for sale to tourists.

Rev. Paul Mather ordination banquet

Paul J. Mather, ordained as a Deacon, Alaska Episcopal Church on May 27, 1927. The banquet was held at the Blue Fox dining room in Ketchikan.

L. to R.: Edward Ridley, George Keegan Williams, William Dalton Sr., George Eaton, Robert Ridley, John Davies Sr., Edward Benson, Joseph Starr, Rev. Henry Sanborn, Bishop Peter Rowe, Rev. Paul J. Mather, Casper Mather, Alex Guthrie, Walter Calvert, Peter Williams, Sam Eaton, Charles Bates.
Photo provided by Mather family

CONTACT US:
Fr. Paul Mather School for Ministry
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, PO Box 1130, Sitka, Alaska 99835
907-747-3977 or 907-225-3296
e-mail:
david_elsensohn@hotmail.com