FREEHOLD — A Freehold tradition will continue on Nov. 22 when the Women of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church hold their annual bazaar. The bazaar has been held for 77 years in the church at the corner of Main and Throckmorton streets.
This year, three parishioner crafters have made crystal beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Historic Freehold Borough afghans that feature landmarks in the community will be for sale in navy and cranberry for $40, according to a press release. The bazaar will also feature Thirty-One bags, prayer beads and crosses.
All are welcome to attend the bazaar, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
St. Peter’s Church traces its roots to 1702 when the first service was held on Oct. 10 at the Quaker Meeting House in Topanemus, near present-day Marlboro. In 1736, the congregation received its charter from King George II and in 1738 purchased the property it still occupies at 31 Throckmorton St., Freehold Borough, according to a history of the church.
The history states that local lore suggests the church was used as a hospital during the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778. The congregation states that St. Peter’s is the oldest public building in continuous use in Freehold Borough.
On July 1, the Rev. Dirk C. Reinken became the 37th rector of St. Peter’s Church. He joins a list of clergy that began with the Rev. George Keith in 1702.
According to a biography of the rector that was provided by the church, Reinken grew up in South Carolina and is a 1987 graduate of the University of South Carolina. He worked in business and human relations after graduation.
Reinken was ordained in 1999 and served congregations in Philadelphia, Pa., and Ewing Township, Mercer County, before arriving at St. Peter’s. In 2008 he represented the Episcopal Church at the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Churches (USA).
Locally, Reinken is active with the Freehold Clergy Association.
For more information about St. Peter’s, visit www.stpetersfreehold.org.
— Mark Rosman