Matchinski was the first “son” of St. Mark’s to enter the ministry.  A military assignment brought Fred and Bertha Matchinski and their son, Fred Jr., to Osborn and they united with St. Mark’s in 1940.  Fred Jr. was active in Luther League and choir, and was confirmed by the Rev. Paul Weihl in 1944.

Matchinski graduated from Wittenberg University in 1953.  He went to the University of Cincinnati Law School for one year.  He answered his call to the ministry through his father’s death, and through the ministry of Pastor John Meister, and his father who was a minister in Cincinnati.  Matchinski entered Hamma Divinity School in 1954.  He was ordained during the synod convention in Weaver Chapel, Wittenberg, on May 17, 1957.

Pastor Matchinski served at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Point Pleasant, W. Va.; developed twin mission congregations in West Milton and Englewood, Ohio; and became the first pastor of the West Milton Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.  Subsequent assignments took him to Calvary Lutheran Church, Springfield, Ohio; Calvary Lutheran Church, Chillicothe; Messiah Lutheran Church, Toledo, and visitation minister of Reformation Church, Toledo.  As a retired Lutheran clergyman the Rev. Matchinski continues as a member of Reformation Lutheran church and serves as supply minister in the Toledo area.

Pastor Matchinski returned to St. Mark’s, his “home church,” on September 13, 1998 as a participant in the sesquicentennial year.  Pastor Matchinski preached on “When We Are Appointed” using 1 Timothy 1:12 as his text.

He told the congregation that “We are all appointed by Christ Jesus to fulfill His wishes, and also to fulfill His day-to-day service as well.  When our Lord appoints you to serve Him we are never alone. He gives us He gives us a promise: ‘I am with you always.’ Depend on His strength, His guidance, and His grace....”