Sing Sing Prison Ministry

The scene is the Chapel of the Redeemer at Sing Sing Prison.  Richard Mateyka is presiding and he says, "God is good!"  and the 200 plus men in the chapel roar back, "All the time!"  How can men experiencing the confinement, humiliation, frustration, and boredom of prison life, say this and mean it?  Many of them have found that they can trust a God of hope who loves them unconditionally and has forgiven them wholly. What is Richard Mateyka doing there and how did all this come about?

History of Hephzibah House Prison Ministry to Sing Sing Prison

Sometime after the Civil War, before 1880, God spoke to the heart of Mrs. Virginia Field, a young, wealthy, society matron in New York City.  God's message was, "I want you to teach a Bible class at Sing Sing Prison."  Mrs. Field spoke to her husband, who spoke to the Governor, who spoke to the warden, who invited Mrs. Field to come to Ossining and begin a Bible Class, which she did.  When Mrs. Field assumed the directorship of Hephzibah House, she brought along the commitment to the men of Sing Sing Prison.  It was the first prison ministry by women in the United States.  Since that time, once a month, a gospel service has been held at Sing Sing Prison.   In 1964, Hephzibah House invited Bjorne Nyborg to take charge of this ministry. Mr. Nyborg was joined by Harald Tonnessen whose music ministry transformed the inmates into such a choir that it was suggested they go on tour, which they heartily endorsed! Mr. Nyborg served for over 60 years before his "homecoming" in heaven. 

 In the 1970's,  the Sing Sing Prison chaplain invited Hephzibah House to conduct the Protestant Chapel Hour on Sunday mornings.  Hephzibah House has led the Chapel Hour on the fourth Sunday of every month since that time.  In addition to the Chapel Hour, Hephzibah House supplies tracts, Bibles, and helped to establish a library.   Through the offices of Artie Pitt, a very fine electronic organ was provided to Sing Sing and it is used regularly.  More recently, a married couple, who often play music for the Chapel Hour, secured other wonderful instruments that are used during worship services. 

When Mrs. Field first went to Sing Sing Prison, God gave her a promise, "Behold I set before you an open door which no man can shut." The door is still open and this ministry has continued without interruption, by God's grace, since the late 1870s.  Every month the good news goes out to prisoners, "God is good---all the time." .Thousands of inmates have had the opportunity to hear about the love of God in Jesus Christ and His transforming power.  At the present time, a team of about ten volunteers continues this vital work at Sing Sing Prison.  Please pray with us for continued access and effectiveness as we obey Jesus' mandate, "I was in prison, and you came unto me. "  

 For more information please call:   212-787-6150  or  email:    hhouse@email.com  'prison ministry' in subject line