St. Peter’s, Spotswood, is one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of New Jersey. While the parish was organized in 1756, Anglican services were conducted here prior to 1704. Missionaries were sent from England to New Jersey by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (S.P.G.). In the first decade of the 18th century, about 1750, 30 families around the village of Spotswood decided to establish a parish of their own. A missionary report, dated 1758, described a “handsome wooden church in a small village called Spotswood”. The first recorded vestry minutes were dated August 1761. In 1765 S.P.G. united Freehold and Spotswood St. Peter’s Churches into a new missionary district. In 1768 S.P.G. gave the parish an altar book, dated 1767, and a Book of Common Prayer, dated 1764. These valuable items are in a display case at the rear of the church. A royal charter was granted by George III in 1773. St. Peter’s was closed during the Revolutionary War and was reopened in 1782. Due to limited finances and a shortage of clergy, priests served multiple congregations. In 1848 the vestry learned that the original church building was unsafe. A new church was built and consecrated in 1854. The rectory was built in 1872 and the parish hall in 1888. This parish hall was expanded in 1955. Extensive alterations were done to the church in 1896. The Chancel was deepened 7 feet, enlarged on the south side for the organ chamber, enlarged on the north side for a baptistery, and a basement dug for a steam heater. New pews and carpet were put in, as well as stained glass windows. The chancel window is a DeVoe family memorial and the baptistery window is a Rapoyle family memorial. When the church reopened it had its first vested choir of men and boys. An altar was given in 1920 by the townspeople in honor of WW I soldiers. This altar is currently being used in the Children’s Chapel. In 1928 the brick wall and lynch-gate were given as memorials. This was a very difficult year for St. Peter’s. On Good Friday a squirrel ate through wiring above the altar causing a fire which resulted in extensive damage. The church was repaired at a cost of $10,000 and reopened the same year. After finishing the repairs Arthur and Herman Lettau placed a sealed bottle, containing photos and a note, in the cross on the top of the steeple. The depression caused financial problems and the vestry was forced to seek assistance. As a result, St. Peter’s become an assisted parish. In 1949 it was once again restored to full parish status. The church was entered in the state and national registers of historic places in 1979. In 1990 the organ chamber was changed to a baptistery, which created room for 3 additional rows of pews. Stained glass windows and the new organ chamber were given as memorials. A dedication was held on Pentecost, 1992. In recent years, the parking lot has been enlarged and a new garage added. The rectory was converted into offices and much needed classrooms. Work in the cemetery has included retaining wall restoration, grave identification, charting, and repair and resetting of old stones. A current committee is now continuing the repair and resetting work. In 1991 a Restoration Committee was formed for the purpose of restoring the church. The restoration included a major rebuilding of the bell tower, a new roof, new steeple, floors reinforced, new furnace and air conditioner, and historic refinishing of the exterior. Many people gave money, time, and talent to help raise needed funds. There were fund raising projects of every description and all yard work was done by volunteers. One of our parishioners served as project manager. The bottle that was placed in the steeple cross in 1928 was opened at a community service in 1992. With great jubilation the steeple was replaced in 1995. A rededication service was held on October 16, 1996. St. Peters has always been admired for its natural beauty. It is not unusual for current parishioners to come from families that have worshiped here for generations. We continue to grow as a parish and depend upon each other for friendship, strength, and renewal of faith. This history was based upon special memories of the parishioners and the following writings: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Beatrice L. Grace, 1956 Profile Margaret Borneo, 1987\ A Brief History Barbara C. Lamb, 1996