Since 1702, St. Peter's Church has been a community of people with the shared goal of loving, honoring, and following Jesus Christ. We are committed to serving the Freehold area by offering inspiring worship, lively and engaging Christian education for all ages, and meaningful outreach to our neighbors in need. 

Diocese of New Jersey
St. Peter's is one of 160 churches in Central and South Jersey that comprise the Diocese of New Jersey. Our bishop is the Rt. Rev. George E. Councell, for more information about him and about the ministries of the Diocese click here.

History
The first service of our congregation was held on October 10, 1702, at the Quaker Meeting House in Topanemus, near present-day Marlboro, led by the Reverend George Keith, an early settler of Freehold.

In 1736 the congregation received its charter from King George II. In 1738 they purchased the property we still occupy. Construction on the original building designed by Robert Smith (1722-77) of Philadelphia began in 1771. The building, 35’X52’, was built by local carpenters. When the Battle of  Monmouth was fought in 1778 it was an unfinished shell and local lore suggests it was used as a hospital during the battle. After the war the Provincial Army used the building as a storehouse not returning it to the congregation until the 1790’s. During that decade the interior was completed so that services could be held.

Throughout the 1800’s renovations and additions were made to the original building primarily in response to liturgical changes. These interior alterations had the effect of changing the worship space from a “meeting house” to the more gothic look we see today.  

St. Peter’s Church campus includes the church/chapel, parish house, “old” rectory, and Keith Building. With the exception of the Keith Building the area is fenced.

The church and chapel are primarily used for worship services and rehearsal space for Peter’s Rock and the two bell choirs. The room above the chapel, known as the Hein Room, houses a church school class, serves as the regular meeting place for vestry meetings and the Daughters of the King as well as Bible study groups and from December through March provides space for the emergency shelter intake process.

The Parish House is used for Christian Education, coffee hour, hospitality events, the Annual Bazaar, church group meetings, choir rehearsals, community suppers, 12 step meetings, the Soup Kitchen, and the Open Door After School Homework Program.

The old Rectory houses the Rector’s Study, general offices, and the St. Martha room used for church school and parish meetings on the first floor. The second floor has a classroom, guest room and bath, and general storage space.

The Keith Building has 6 units, 4 of which are rented by non-profit groups: #39 Open Door Food Pantry, #’s 41-43 Habitat for Humanity furniture resale shop, and #45 Never Alone, Inc. (the Clubhouse). St. Peter’s Thrift Shop uses #47 and #49.

See pictures of St. Peter's Church through the years here.

Church Facts
• St. Peter’s is the oldest public building in continuous use in the Borough of Freehold.
• Throckmorton Street is named after one of the founding families of the church.
• The first pipe organs in St. Peter’s were located in the balcony and are the reason the balcony rail bows out in the middle.
• The weathervane atop the steeple was dislodged during an ice storm in 1902.  It fell to the ground, spearing itself in the wooden porch.
• St. Peter’s began enjoying air conditioning during services in the 1980’s.
• The building containing our Thrift Shop and other non-profit organizations is named after our founder, George Keith.
• In the 1960’s St. Peter’s hosted a teen club, the Left Foot, in the space in the Keith Building now used by the Open Door Food Pantry. The “Castiles” with Bruce Springsteen were on the opening night bill.
• The group that became St. Anne’s Guild was formed in 1936 for the young married women of the parish. They were the founders of the Annual Bazaar.
• In 1906, when the A & M Karagheusian Rug Mill opened in Freehold, skilled weavers were recruited from Kidderminster in England.  Many who came were Anglicans and worshipped at St. Peter’s. Descendents of these families are still in the parish today.
• During World War II the downstairs portions of the Parish House were used as a canteen for those serving in the military.
• The town of Freehold, a larger area than the present borough and township, was settled in 1683.