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In the spring of 1921, a small but enthusiastic group of communicants of the Episcopal Church met in the Tea Room of the Rose Garden Inn, located at the rear of the lot at 410 South Main Street. In 1926 Mr. Howe generously donated the present lot to the congregation. His gift made it possible to erect a small, wooden church seating about 60 people. In January 1945 St. Matthew's was made a chapel of St. James Episcopal Church in Trenton, by the authority of Bishop Gardner, in order to provide the Pennington Mission with more active leadership. By 1952 the little church was bursting at the seams. A small connecting parish hall, kitchen, and sacristy were added. During 1959 and 1960 an addition to the first floor and basement of the parish hall was built, providing much-needed space for parish activities and for church school classes, until the structure once again became too small. Church school classes for the youngest children were held in the church's existing classrooms, and all the other church school classes were held in the classrooms of the grammar school across Main Street. Those church school children and their teachers attended their own separate services in the school's auditorium, conducted by lay readers and the Rector. Meanwhile, at the main church, congregants spilled over into the parish hall, which was connected to the church by folding doors. Those seated in the parish hall could hear, but many could not see any part of the chancel. Clearly, these painfully overcrowded conditions could not continue. By 1965 the parish had paid off all the debts from its previous additions, and plans were made to expand once again. So, in 1967 the parishioners decided to raze their beloved wooden chapel and replace it with the present structure. On March 5, 2000, yet another new facility was dedicated. Belmont Hall and its corresponding lower level multi purpose room and more classrooms are beautiful spaces where meetings, classes, social events and special outreach projects take place. St. Matthew's preschool occupies the classroom space on the lower level of the sanctuary.
http://www.stmatthewspennington.org/our-facilities/
Worship times
A simple, traditional and spoken liturgy with a sermon.
Prayers in contemporary language with a sermon, silence, and choir.
Volunteer opportunities
local mission initiatives include Arm-in-Arm, Trenton, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, Trenton Rescue Mission, The Battle Against Hunger, St. Matthew's rummage sale, St. Matthew's Christmas Bazaar. Vocal and Instrumental musicians may participate in weekly offerings on Sunday morning and weekly rehearsals at various times. Children's choir, hand-bell choir, adult choir. Teachers may teach in the parish Education program: Kairos for PreK-8th grade, Destinations for 6-8th grade, LOGOS for 9-12th grade. Small groups for adults, (Bible study, spirituality, faith traditions, prayer)
Ministries
Pastoral Care
Support for parishioners in need: meals, visits, transportation, cards, companionship, prayer.
Mission Trips
Camden: A multigenerational team goes for one week to work with Urban Promise, Camden annually.
El Hogar, Tegucigalpa, Honduras A multigenerational team goes for one week to work with staff and students at this orphanage/school.
Music
We welcome people who have a passion for music at any age. You can choose the area for which you have passion in our children’s choir, handbell choir, or senior choir. For more information, contact Jim Douglas at (609) 737-0985, Ext 4.
Christian Education
Kairos: Kairos is the Greek word meaning "God's Time"; a very appropriate name for St. Matthew's church school program for ages 4 years through 8th grade, program is offered on Sunday mornings during our 10am service - September through the end of May. We begin at 9:45am with Welcoming Time and classes begin at 10am. The foundation of our curriculum is Godly Play.
Destinations: St. Matthew's Destinations program, now in its twelfth year, has grown into an enjoyable Christian experience for our middle school youth (6th through 8th grade). It builds a bridge for kids passing from their elementary school years into what can sometimes be the turbulent middle school years as they head toward highs school and adulthood. The program is designed to provide children with an opportunity to build Christian community and fellowship, as well as get together to have fun!
LOGOS: St. Matthews high school youth program for youth in 9th through 12th grade. The group meets during the school year (September to May) on Sunday evenings from 5:00pm–7:00pm. We have movie nights, fun outings, discussion sessions, service activities, a semi-annual lock-in, we also create and present a fall and spring liturgy and much more. We invite you to come explore new friendships and deepen your faith!
St. Matthew’s Book Club is open to all interested readers and meets in the church library each month at 7:00pm in the evening. Our reading selections offer a way to explore books through fellowship and discussion and are led by a different parishioner each month.If you are excited about a particular book let us know. Please contact Holly Weise at (609)737-1064 for more information.
Spiritual Formation Small groups meet for eight weeks to learn new practices, to nurture old ones, and to share their experience of spirituality.
306 S. Main St.
Pennington, NJ 08534
United States
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