Community Presbyterian Church

The Reverend Matilda Chase

Pastor Chase has served the Community Presbyterian Church of Mt. Bethel and Portland as their solo pastor since June of 2004.

Prior to serving Community Church, Rev Chase served for seven and a half years as the half-time Associate Executive for Program Development and Congregational Development in the Palisades Presbytery in New Jersey. During those seven years she also served as half-time interim pastor of the Ridgefield Presbyterian Church and later as half-time installed pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Moonachie.

Before answering God’s call to ordained ministry of Word and Sacrament, Rev. Chase worked in the corporate world in the areas of banking, finance and computer systems design and installation. She has also served the church as both a Deacon and Elder.

In addition to her service to Community Church Rev. Chase serves on the Board of Kirkridge Retreat Center in Bangor, PA and as Vice-moderator of Lehigh Presbytery. She has served as vice-chair of the Lehigh Presbytery Board of Trustees, and the Jeremiah Initiative Coordinating Team. Ms. Chase’s husband of thirty-one years, James Chase, grew up in Bethlehem, PA. He currently works as a Case Worker working in the Department of Children, Youth and Family Services for Northampton County primarily with foster children. They live in East Bangor, PA.