Simpson-Temple United Parish

About our Parish

Where did Simpson United Methodist get its name?

Simpson United Methodist originally was named Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church and was named after Bishop Matthew Simpson, a pioneer in Methodism.  He was a college and seminary president, world traveler, an eloquent preacher, and devoted friend of President Abraham Lincoln.  When President Lincoln was assassinated in 1856, Bishop Simpson delivered the eulogy in Springfield, Illinois. 

Matthew was born in Cadiz, Ohio.  His grandfather, Thomas Simpson, was a British soldier who immigrated to Ireland.  Matthew’s father came to America in 1793.  Matthew’s grandfather Tingley was a Revolutionary soldier.

Celebrating God’s Love, Spreading His Word, and Serving in His Name!

Matthew Simpson

June 20, 1811—June 18, 1884

American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, elected in 1852

Conversion

Matthew was consecrated at birth for the ministry by both his parents.  He was baptized as an infant by Bishop Francis Asbury.  Matthew then was religiously impressed in a Camp Meeting.  He was converted to Christ in 1829.

Education and Early Work

Matthew received an academic education in his hometown.  He then attended Madison College in Pennsylvania.  Madison subsequently merged into Allegheny College in 1833.  Matthew was elected to the office of Tutor in his eighteenth year, then engaging in teaching.  Then, having also studied medicine in 1830—1833, he began to practice.

Ordained Ministry

Shortly thereafter, feeling his duty to enter the ministry, Matthew was Licensed to Preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was received on-trial in the Pittsburgh Annual Conference in 1833.  He was ordained by Bishop Robert Richford Roberts. Matthew was appointed Pastor of the Liberty Street Methodist Church in Pittsburgh in 1835, and of a church at Monongahela, Pennsylvania in 1836.  He was ordained Elder in 1837.

Academic and Editorial Ministries

The Rev. Simpson was appointed Professor of Natural Science and elected Vice President of Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania.  In 1838, he was elected Professor, and in 1839, President of the newly established Indiana Asbury University (now DePauw University) in Greencastle, Indiana, remaining until 1848.  The Rev. Simpson was then elected Editor of the Western Christian Advocate, which he made a strong temperance and anti-slavery organ, from 1848 to 1852.

Episcopal Ministry

The Rev. Dr. Matthew Simpson was elected to the Episcopacy of his denomination by the Methodist Episcopal General Conference, May 1852.  In discharging his duties, Bishop Simpson visited and presided over Conferences in all the States encompassing the Methodist Episcopal Church as well as most of the related US Territories.  He was sent by the General Conference as a delegate to the Irish and British Wesley (Methodist) Conference in 1857, as to the Evangelical Alliance in Berlin the same year.  He traveled with John McClintock.  From Berlin, Bishop Simpson extended his travels through Turkey, the Holy Land, Egypt and Greece, retiring to the USA in 1858.

American Civil War

Bishop Simpson was a close, personal and trusted friend of President Lincoln, who considered his advice of great value.  He attended the family at Lincoln’s death and gave the sermon at his funeral in Springfield.  During the American Civil War, Bishop Simpson delivered a number of speeches in behalf of the Union.  He was urged by the Secretary of War to undertake the organization of the freedmen at the establishment of the bureau.  After the war, Bishop Simpson was invited by President Grant to go as a commissioner to San Domingo.  Both of these offers he respectfully declined.

Death and Burial

Bishop Matthew Simpson was taken ill at San Francisco in 1880, but recovered to preach the opening sermon at the First Ecumenical Methodist Conference in London (1881).  He was present at the M.E. General Conference in 1884 but took little part.  He died June 18, 1884 in Philadelphia.  His last words were “My Savior!”  He was buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.