Grace Lutheran Church
200 Park Ave. At W. Main St.
Freehold, N.J. 07728
Phone 732-462-5122


History

The full Grace Lutheran Church is a congregation of the New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a denomination with roots in America going back to the colonial period. It is also a partner church in the Lutheran World Federation. Grace Lutheran began as a mission congregation of the former United Lutheran Church in America on Dec. 7, 1952, with a worship service at the Freehold Boro Y.M.C.A. In February 1959, the Rev. Robert Oberkehr was appointed by the Board of American Missions as the mission developer, and later became the parish’s first pastor.

On October 11, 1959, Grace was officially organized as a parish at a liturgy held at the Park Ave. Elementary School. In July 1961, ground was broken at the intersection of Park Ave. and W. Main St. in Freehold, and on March 11, 1962, the church building was formally dedicated.

In 1992 an addition was made to the building to house the Sunday school and meeting space. Grace Lutheran takes special pride in having sent forth eight of its members into the ordained ministry of word and sacrament.

The current Pastor is Rev. Dr. J. Francis Watson.

Hope Lutheran Church
211 Elton-Adelphia Rd.- Rte. 52
Freehold Township, N.J. 07728
Phone 732-462-7545
Fax 732-462-9320
www.Hopefreehold.Or

History

In 1965, the Rev. Eugene Beutel drove through the Freehold Township area from his parish in Neptune, and he observed its rapid growth and saw possibilities for a new congregation. He contacted the Rev. John Houck, regional director of American Missions of the Eastern District of the American Lutheran Church.

After a demographic study of the region and a look at population projections, 6 1⁄2 acres were purchased and work began on the building and continued until Nov. 1966.

In May 1966, the Rev. Albert W. Gibson, Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Md., was asked to be the organizing pastor by the American Lutheran Church. He accepted the challenge and moved with his family into the new parsonage in July 1966.

The first service was attended by 150 people and was held in the rain on Sept. 25, 1966. Dedication of the building was held on Nov. 27, 1966 and was attended by 265 people.

Hope Christian School was established in Oct. 1967 for four year olds. This nursery school is now attended by 156 children who are enrolled in half-day programs either two or three days a week. There are four teachers and two teachers aides.

In 1975, the Education Wing was constructed and in 1984 a new kitchen and Fellowship Hall were added and the sanctuary was remodeled. The Rev. Albert W. Gibson retired in Nov. 1997.

The Rev. Dr. Patricia S. Medley was called in Sept. 1998 and was installed in Dec. 1998. A second pastor was hired in Sept. 2000.