Neighbor Spotlight: St. Matthew A.M.E Zion Church trustee is go-to person

Being the go-to person for everything while keeping a church afloat can be overwhelming for 85-year-old Helene Zacharias, but it shows that people put a lot of trust in her.

“It feels good if people are always seeking you out,” she said.

Zacharias is a trustee and chairperson of renovation for the St. Matthew A.M.E. Zion Church, the oldest Black church in Sewickley. She has been involved with the church since 1972. This is her third time being elected onto the church’s board, and this is her 10th year as a trustee. Her responsibilities include keeping the church organized, paying bills and ensuring repairs are made.

“If things don’t go right in the church, they call me,” she said.

The Sewickley resident moved from New Jersey to Pennsylvania in 1968. When she first moved to Sewickley, she saw how tight-knit and family-oriented the community was. A welcoming committee knocking on doors would be how she got involved at the church.

“This is such a lovely church. We are all one family here,” Zacharias said.

The church is not her only obligation — Zacharias has been a poll worker for more than 20 years. The 12-hour shifts felt like a coming home reunion for Zacharias when she worked during election seasons.

“That’s when you saw everybody who lives in Sewickley. It’s fun,” she said.

Zacharias has been a member of the Quaker Valley school board, a treasurer for the QV football team, a Girl Scout leader and a chairperson for the Daniel B. Matthews Historical Society. She also helped Sewickley Community Center in its effort to rebuild.

Stratton Nash, a marketing consultant and board member for the Sewickley Community Center, has known Zacharias since her family moved to the area. He used to ride his bike to her house to play football with her son. The word “hero” popped up in his head when describing her involvement in Sewickley.

“She’s just been an unbelievable resource for Sewickley. Wherever she’s needed, she takes part in it. She is a leader in every capacity,” he said.

Before she leaves, Zacharias hopes to see more young people become members of the church. The toughest challenge has been recruiting more of them to join, she said. Previously, there were 100 members at the church, but now there are just 40.

The oldest member is 112 years old.

“This is definitely a senior church,” Zacharias said.

As St. Matthew has undergone renovations, Zacharias is looking forward to the church opening its doors to the community and holding family-fun events. She remembers when it would hold barbeques that attracted Sewickley residents to visit the church.

“We have to get out there and get involved in the community again,” she said.

Even when Zacharias is not spearheading efforts at the church, she will attend the church as a member.

“I’m always going to be involved with this church. This is my love,” she said.