HISTORY OF RELIGIONS IN FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP

Compiled By Father Edward Jawidzik Of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church For Freehold Township Historic Preservation Commission.
Compiled in 2003


Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
3 Waterworks Rd.
Po Box 541 Freehold, N.J. 07728
Phone 732-462-0826
Fax 732-462-7015


History

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1867. A new structure was completed in 1988 and the Church was relocated to its present location.

Bethel Church was an Episcopal form of church government where Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church appoint pastors. It is a worldwide church denomination with congregations in South America, Europe, Africa, Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean Islands and the United States. Founded in 1787 by Rev. Richard Allen, the first leader who was a former slave. The African Methodist Episcopal Church is divided in 19 Episcopal districts.

It was under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Malcolm S. Steele that Bethel experienced its greatest progress, development and growth. Rev. Steele was appointed to Bethel in 1966 and served until his retirement in 2000.

The current pastor is Rev. James H. Foster.

Colts Neck Reformed Church
72 Route 537 W.
P.O. Box 57 Colts Neck, N.J. 07722
Phone 732-462-4555
Fax 732-866-9545
Http://Www.Cnrc.Info
Email: Cnrc@Monmouth.Com

History

The First Reformed Protestant Church of Freehold, now known as Old Brick Reformed Church of Marlboro, was founded in 1699. Preaching in the area that is now Colts Neck, however, was done in homes, barns and schoolhouses for the next 150 years.

The Colts Neck Reformed Church was organized as a sister congregation of the Freehold Church on Tuesday, April 22, 1856. The charter members of the congregation, seventeen in number, were drawn from a number of other churches in the county. The official name chosen for the new church was the Reformed Dutch Church of Colts Neck, and the original building, 40’x 60’, was constructed on donated land. The first minister was Jacob S. Wyckoff, who served from 1856 until 1864.

In August of 1866, the first Harvest Home Supper was held-a tradition that continues today as the Annual Election Day Dinner and Bazaar. A significant event in the life of the congregation occurred in 1872 when a revival was held in Colts Neck. At that time 78 persons were baptized, 102 were received in confession of faith and 194 souls.

The next 50 years show the emergence of certain “constants” in the life of the congregation: strong leadership in the Sunday School and in the growing Christian endeavor movement for young people; women’s work with missionary support; strong preaching and pastoral care for the congregation; and attentive care for the congregation’s facilities.

In 1906, a chapel was added to the church building. The stained glass windows in the sanctuary were installed in 1911. It was in the years immediately following WWII, however, that major changes were made in the church facilities.

In the 1960’s, the area began to experience a rapid and sustained growth, which would impact the life of the congregation significantly. From 1963-1973 the congregation increased in size from 177-456 members. In 1984, what had been a 20-year expansion program was finally completed. The final step in 1995 made the building handicap accessible.

The present Pastor is Scott Brown.