The Episcopal presence in Carbon County began in the railroad town of Helper in the 1890’s. In 1947, the Bishop sent a full-time priest to minister to the people in the area. Throughout the lean years of the 50’s and 60’s, surrounding chapels were abandoned and those congregations came to Price to worship, forming St. Matthew’s in 1957. From 1970 until 1984, St. Matthew’s had no resident priest; lay readers and visiting clergy led the services. Price Lutheran Church began in 1952 with a few members meeting in Price for Bible classes, Sunday School by mail, taped sermons, and the occasional visiting pastor. In 1963, the name Ascension Lutheran Church was chosen when the congregation was identified as a preaching station. Various supply pastors with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and lay persons lead services until 1978 when Ascension decided to become a member of the Lutheran Church in America. Starting in 1981, full-time clergy were called, starting with Pastor Don Almy. Others who have served are Pastor Perry Francis and Father Bryant Bechtold. As a result of the declining population in Price and surrounding areas both denominations lost active families. During the early 1980’s a joint steering committee was formed to explore some kind of combination for the Lutheran and Episcopal congregations, who had been sharing facilities since January 1968. In time, a joint calling committee was formed to call a clergy person to help form such a mutual ministry. Ascension St. Matthew’s Church, a joint congregation, was formed in 1984 with 54 active individuals. Sunday morning worship was alternated with the Lutheran and Episcopal Orders of Worship. In 1995, Ascension St. Matthew’s adopted a constitution and bylaws approved by both the Episcopal Diocese of Utah and the ELCA. The newly formed Governing Board replaced the Lutheran Council and the Episcopal Vestry. In the fall of 1998 the Episcopal Diocese of Utah formed “Project Jubilee.” Funds from this project made possible the construction of Ascension St. Matthew’s building located at 522 Homestead Blvd., Price, Utah. The project was approved by a joint Diocesan-Parish committee. After many hours of “Imagineering,” and planning meetings, ground breaking took place in November of 2001. The Dedication and Consecration of our church was celebrated on St. Matthew’s Day, September 21, 2002. The Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish, Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Utah, and Bishop Allan Bjornberg of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, presided. In 2012, on another September 21, we were able to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of our building.

Rev. Courtney Shucker II (1998-2006) oversaw the new building construction and the adoption of "Affirmed" membership - both milestones in our congregational development. In 2002 Ascension St. Matthew’s membership was expanded to include “Affirmed Members,” those coming from other Christian traditions that reaffirm their Baptismal vows, but choose not to be placed on the rolls of the national Lutheran or Episcopal Churches. Rev. Courtney Shucker II retired in May 2006. Nearly two and one half years passed before our next full-time clergy was called. It is mentioned here only to demonstrate the strength and resilience of Ascension St. Matthew's members. With the support of Episcopal and Lutheran supply clergy, a short interim, our leadership team, and our dedicated congregation, Ascension St. Matthew's maintained our services, outreach and membership with minimal interruptions. Pastor James H. Drury was called to Ascension St. Matthew's in September 2008. Pastor Drury can be credited with moving Ascension St. Matthew's "outside our walls." He was proactive in the community and a strong supporter of interdenominational relationships. Under his leadership, Ascension St. Matthew's developed and supported new programs and outreach projects. He was a staunch supporter of our fully blended congregation and encouraged other congregations struggling to survive individually in outlying communities to look at the success of Ascension St. Matthew’s as a model to consider. Pastor James Drury was a leader who constantly taught us to look to the future. He died unexpectedly in April 2015. During the interim years of 2015 through 2016, Pastor Bill Bruggerman shepherded our congregation through the call process. In July 2016, Pastor James Locke was called as our full-time pastor. Pastor Locke helped to bring the congregation into the technology era. Pastor Locke retired August 2020.

Presently, together with the strong support of the Diocese of Utah and the Rocky Mountain Synod, we now continue to look to our future. Pastor Rebecca Johnson Aardahl came to Ascension St. Matthew’s in November 2020 as an Intentional Interim pastor. She will guide us for the next two years through the transition and call process for new clergy.