1891 

St. Thomas Chapel, at Catherine St. and Tilton Ave., Red Bank, was built by the Thomas Durham family, prominent members of Trinity Episcopal Church, in memory of their son, but it later fell into disuse.

1907 

A group of local Black Episcopalians successfully petition Bishop Scarborough to use the vacant chapel for worship services that they had previously been holding in one another’s homes.

•  Mrs. T. Thomas (Margaret) Fortune facilitated the petition to the Bishop by asking for assistance of Rev. Robert Mackellar, the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Red Bank.
•  Fr. A. E. Jensen (St. Agustine’s, Asbury Park) and Fr. Mackellar launched St. Thomas, followed by several part-time clergy until 1919
•  The first sacrement of Baptism was administered on September 22, 1907. Fifty-one people attended.

1908 

Mrs. Durham presented the congregation the deed for the land and building, valued at $4000.00, debt free.

•  On April 21, 1908, eight members were confirmed by the Bishop before a congregation of 120 people. 

1915 

St. Thomas became a Mission of the Diocese of New Jersey.

1919-1939

Rev. Charles Nelson was appointed the first full-time vicar and consolidated and strengthened the mission.

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St. Thomas shared clergy with St. Augustine’s, Asbury Park.

1951

The church relocated to its present site, Bridge and East Sunset Avenues., Red Bank.

1962- 79

Rev. Earl Scott served as the mission/parish’s first full time rector; hosted a Head Start Program and a thriving youth club.

1963

The East Sunset and Bridge Avenues building was consecrated by Bishop Banyard.

1965

Under Rev. Scott, St. Thomas achieved parish status after 50 years as a Mission of the Diocese. 

1981

Rev. Terrence Rosheuvel called as second full-time priest at St. Thomas.

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St. Thomas launched and operated Lunch Break, the first soup kitchen in Monmouth County.

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Church building renovation and expansion was completed and the building was rededicated.

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New stained glass windows, new pews and a new dossal were installed.

1991

Centennial Celebration

• Ordination of Rev. Anna Henderson, first member of St. Thomas to become a priest in the Diocese. 

1995

Rev. Rosheuvel and some members from St. Thomas assumed leadership in Diocesan Anti- Racism movement.

1998-2002

Sponsored first Red Bank Carnival and Fun Festival.

2005

Rev. Eddie Lillard appointed Deacon to St. Thomas, by the Bishop Council, August 1.

• Vestibule window, with etched cross, installed.

2006

Dedication of Stations of the Cross

• 115th Anniversary Celebration
• St. Thomas began serving as the meeting place for the Latino Alcoholics Anonymous of Greater Red Bank 
• A Brotherhood of Saint Andrew chapter is chartered with an initial membership of 11 members.

2007

St. Thomas selected as an historic facility by the Red Bank Historical Society..

2009

St. Thomas selected as cite for a Red Bank School System Preschool Program, for 30 children ages 3-5.

• Sunday School class rooms area designated as the Winfred Robards Sunday School

2010

The Rev. Canon Terrance Rosheuvel retired as the second full time St. Thomas rector, July 31.

2011

Rev. John Negrotto served as Interim Rector, February1, 2011 to March 24, 2013.

2012

St. Thomas 120th Anniversary Luncheon, September 29, 2012, at Oyster Point.

2013

The Rev. Jacquelyn Gilbert Rowe became the third full time rector for St. Thomas, March 24, 2013. 

• St. Thomas was service point for diocesan Diaster Relief Services for Super Storn Sandy impacted families 

        in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, June 2013- August 31, 2013.

2014

In February, St. Thomas inaugurated its first Latino service jointly with Rev.Ramon Ubiera, the Diocesan Latino Missioner, in a partnership with St. Mary’s Point Pleasant, Christ Church, Toms River and All Saints, Lakewood.

• On December 21st, St. Thomas Day, the largest number of new members were confirmed or re-affirmed by Bishop Stokes, in the history of St. Thomas.

2015

In March, Rev. Rowe retired. St. Thomas congregation again sought new clergy leadership.

• Red Bank Preschool Program ended at St. Thomas, at the end of the 2014-15 school year.

2016

Rev. Jose Luis Memba was assigned as Priest In Charge, March 2016.

• St. Thomas’ status was changed from Parish to Mission status, by the Diocese, May 2016.

2019

On May 19, Rev. Jose Luis Memba reassigned from St. Thomas.

• The Rev. Canon Deacon Clive Sang assigned to be Administrative Deacon for St. Thomas, with Deacon Joseph Luzardo, serving as the Deacon for the Spanish Speaking congregation until such time as a new Priest in Charge is assigned.
• Rev. Mark Van Sant is the Supply Priest.

2020

In late March, the Covid-19 pandemic led to the closing of St. Thomas for in-person gatherings of all kinds, until August 2020. However, because of rising infection numbers throughout the state, we again had to stop in-person gatherings after Thanksgiving. 

2021-22

Since early 2021, we have continued to operate in a hybrid mode of in-person and virtual services.