Trinity Episcopal Church celebrating 150 years
Original church home
is now a restaurant
in downtown Matawan
Source: Images of America: Around Matawan and Aberdeen The first Trinity Episcopal Church in Matawan, seen here in a 1930s photograph, was erected in 1850 on Main Street.
MATAWAN — Trinity Episcopal Church will be celebrating its 150th anniversary on Oct. 22 with a reflection of the past and an eye toward the future.
The church, which was located on Main Street in what is now Bart’s Modern Cuisine Restaurant, moved into its current location on Ryers Lane off Route 79 in 1968. Because of its ever-increasing membership, the church is looking to expand its facilities, said the Rev. Denise Mantell.
"We need more room for everything," said Mantell. "The expansion is dictated by the size of the ministry (parish). We need to expand the building to accommodate the number of parishioners, as well as the Matawan Children’s Center.
"The building is always being used — offices, day-care center, worship, classes. It is a very busy place," she said. Trinity owns approximately 4.5 acres behind the building and will be evaluating the needs for expansion in the near future, Mantell said.
The Children’s Center is housed in the facilities of Trinity, as are classes for Sunday school and adult education. The church also has choirs, youth groups and community outreach programs, including support of the Manna House in Aberdeen and St. Mark’s Food Kitchen in Keansburg.
The strength of Trinity, Mantell said, is the diversity of the congregation and the flexibility in adapting to its community. The 140 families which comprise the church come from various racial, ethnic, economic and philosophical backgrounds, Mantell said. Many families are multi-generational.
"Diversity is the gift of the spirit, and we use that to our advantage," explained Mantell. "We have a mixed, young, well-educated parish."
Mantell also pointed out that Trinity is the only area church to openly discuss human sexuality as an example of the church’s flexibility within the community.
Trinity continues to thrive despite a nationwide trend of decreasing church attendance. "The church does not have to play a diminished role [in society]," said Mantell. "There is an isolation and disconnectedness amongst people, but it is the spiritual aspect of life which keeps us connected.
"Advances in technology are beginning to allow the reality of spiritual and theological pronouncements of the last 1,000 years."
Mantell cited the interrelation of objects and concepts as fact, not theological assumption. Mantell is well versed in these issues, as she continues her doctoral work in theology.
Mantell, who was ordained in 1985, has been the head of Trinity since May 1999. She received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and religion from Queens College (City University of New York), and earned a master’s from the General Theology Seminary in Manhattan, N.Y.
Mantell said that the church’s anniversary has been a yearlong celebration, providing history lessons during services and various commemorative events. There will be a 150th anniversary celebration at Bart’s, the church’s former site, on Oct. 22 from 5:30-9:30 p.m.
As Trinity celebrates its past, Mantell looks forward to a bright future.
"Trinity will continue to be a viable source, a catalyst of ministry within the parish and community, to be able to continue to grow and teach," she said.