Frenchtown and Kingwood Methodist Churches to Merge and Become Open Door

Frenchtown and Kingwood United Methodist Churches will soon become the Open Door United Methodist Church, meeting at the Frenchtown church at 16 Third Street. Services will be on Sundays at 9 a.m. starting July 5 and will include a monthly dinner church service each month on third Sundays at 5 p.m.

Kingwood UMC is the oldest Methodist church in Hunterdon, and its site on Route 519 in southern Kingwood has hosted a church since the 1780s. At one time, the Kingwood church held several roast beef dinners a year that funded organizations such as rescue and fire squads, the Flemington Food Pantry, an animal rescue organization and more. In addition, Kingwood UMC has awarded over $50,000 in scholarships to Del Val High School students since 2019. Kingwood’s philanthropic spirit will be united with Frenchtown’s.

“I think of it as God at work creating something new,” said the Rev. Peter Mantell, pastor of the two churches, plus the Sergeantsville UMC, for the past 12 years.

The new church’s name was inspired by the Frenchtown church’s Open Door Food Pantry. “The pantry has become the focus of this church’s ministry and how the church has become identified,” Peter said, “so why not lean into that?”

The pantry started with a “blessing box” in the parking lot of the church the week of the Covid shutdown in March 2020. By that November, space was carved out of a corner of the church’s garage, making room for a refrigerator, freezer and shelves kept stocked with food.

It’s accessible around-the-clock. A cooking club of church members and volunteers was organized by Peter’s late wife, Anna, and the group continues to create and put out about 200 meals a week. Volunteers are always welcome Tuesday and Friday mornings between 9:30 a.m. and noon. Cooking skills are not required.

Donations of shelf-stable food are always welcome. Perennial pantry needs include shelf-stable milk, tomato products, peanut butter, jelly, cereals, no-sugar-added juices, soups, mac & cheese, canned tuna, canned chicken, canned vegetables and canned fruits.

Closing the Kingwood church was a difficult decision that has caused some sadness, but Peter said people are also hopeful for the future., looking to build relationships within the community, putting faith in action and making a difference in people’s lives. Meanwhile, plans are being made to remember and honor the long histories of the two churches.

“I’m very community-minded and try to bring that out in my preaching and teaching,” Peter said, “being inclusive, welcoming of all people, and helping the marginalized.”

The Open Door UMC will hold its opening service on Sunday, July 5, at 9 a.m. A local piano teacher, Kristen Todd, has been hired to help revitalize the music program, which will feature traditional hymns.

For more information, visit the website www.kingwood-frenchtownumchurches.com, call the Frenchtown church at 908-996-3117, or email Peter at pastorpmantell@gmail.com.