[4] The original building on First Avenue at Bank Street was a wooden structure designed in 1898 by noted architect John William Hurrell Watts.

Robert W. Samwell" (1864-1901) was transferred from the parish of Wales, on the St. Lawrence, near Cornwall before being appointed second rector at St Matthew's from 1901 until his illness of typhoid fever and pneumonia which had lasted over fifteen weeks until his death on August 24, 1902.

The Right Reverend J. C. Roper, D.D., Bishop of Ottawa, unveiled a memorial tablet in January 1921 containing the names of: Harold T. Burgess, Albert E. Cuxner, Walter F. Dicks, Richard L. Downing, Horace Hunt, Thomas G. King, Raymond W. Nichols, Jukes F. Perkins, Robert Ralph, Edward Cuno McGill Richer, Maurice O. Samwell, William C. Saunders, George S. Selley, Arthur S. Sievers, Allan C. Walker and Glenholm Wilson who died in the Great War.

Archbishop Hamilton and Prime Minister Arthur Meighen attended a ceremony where a plaque was "dedicated in loving memory of Sergeant Glenholme Wilson, 38th Battalion.

Born Jan 18, 1894; Killed in Action Nov 18, 1916 on the Somme, France while leading his platoon on to victory after his superior officers had fallen.

Cecil Burgess, an old St Matthews member; was chosen architect for the complex of three interconnected buildings clad in Indiana limestone: Church, Chapel and Parish Hall.

[15] On July 6 of 1929, Bishop John Charles Roper laid the foundation stone at the eastern end of the church in the presence of a large assembly of clergy .

[15] The church held fundraisers including an annual two-day Bazar opened by Bishop of Ottawa in November 21–22, 1928.

A number of clergy, including former rector of St Matthews Church, were invited to attend the dedication.

[15] British Empire Economic Conference delegates attended services at St. Matthew's Anglican Church (Ottawa) 7/26/1932.

[22] A stained glass window by William Thomas Powis at Colonial Art Glass depicting a Jesus as a young boy, Joseph as a carpenter and Mary as a weaver dedicated "to the glory of God and in loving memory of Bessie Frances Margaret Harton, was erected by her husband and daughter A.D 1938".

[24][25][26] Jesus "Feeding the Multitude" (1935) by Robert McCausland Limited is a stained glass window dedicated "to the Glory of God and in loving memory of E. May Nicholas, beloved wife of George Albert Clark who died 14th December 1952, which was erected by her husband and her children Catherine and George."

The window bears the inscription: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give to thee the Crown of Life" [Revelation 2:10] "In loving memory of Lieut.

In April 1955, St Matthew's auxiliary held a spring tea in Jefferson Hall[27][28][29][30][31][32] Before becoming the Seventh Bishop of Ottawa in 1993–1999, the Right Rev.

[33] Before becoming the Eighth bishop of Ottawa 1999–2007, Rt Rev Peter Coffin served as an assistant curate at St. Matthew's Church.

[34] Extensive restoration work by Robertson Martin Architects, received an Ottawa Architectural Conservation Certificate of Merit.

The church is known for musical excellence, with several notable boy choristers, such as Gerald Finley, Daniel Taylor and Matthew White, who have achieved international acclaim.

Past music directors include Gerald Wheeler (1957–65), Brian Law (1966–79) Richard Dacey (1980–87), Andrew Teague (1990-94), Matthew Larkin (1995-2002), Christopher Argent (2003-2004), and Stephen Candow (2005-2011).