Historic Church Dedicates New Fellowship Hall

A new chapter in the history of Holmdel Community United Church of Christ was officially christened on the afternoon of Sunday, January 25, as parishioners and guests gathered for an open house and the dedication of the church’s beautiful new Fellowship Hall. The hall’s renovation and expansion is the culmination of a $1.4 million project that began in 2013, and which everyone there would undoubtedly agree was a labor of love by countless supporters, workers, and teams of volunteers.

Reverend Russell (“Rusty”) Eidmann-Hicks, pastor of the historic church that dates back to the 1800s, jubilantly welcomed the crowd, greeting each individual and proudly showing off the new hall, which is at once both unpretentious and spectacular, yet still warm and inviting. The hardwood floors gleamed and the doors and windows boasted detailed moldings. Looking up, one is struck by the classic beauty of the ceilings, where the older, dark wood portion was rediscovered and restored after construction began and the newer portion features magnificent lighting and intricate, hand-painted detail. The design stayed true to the church’s historical appearance, the architectural care clearly evident.

Besides the hall itself, the project also included new offices, classrooms, restrooms, coat room, nursery, and other space, with more than 3,100 square feet added altogether, all with modern amenities. Outside, there is an 800-square-foot pavilion connecting the hall to the church, the centerpiece of which is an antique bell that previously sat in the small church cemetery and, before that, was shared with a neighboring church.

The project designer and project architect, and consultant to Kaplan Gaunt DeSantis Architects, was Marilyn Grubb Gentile. Special thanks was given to her and to all of the other professionals who worked on the approvals, design, and construction; the general contractor and subcontractors; the companies that supplied materials for the construction; and numerous members of Holmdel Community United Church of Christ who contributed untold hours of volunteer time and often meticulous labor.

Worth noting is that this lovely space is now available for one-time or long-term rental for private events such as receptions, showers, community meetings, classes, and other functions. Holmdel Community Church has also established partnerships with two popular local establishments, Jacques Exclusive Caterers in Middletown and The Cracked Olive Market, conveniently located directly across the street from the church, both of which offer delicious catering packages for every kind of event. The two eateries were on hand for the hall dedication, as well, to serve up delectable buffet dishes for everyone to sample. For information about Fellowship Hall rentals, contact Susan Davies at (732) 946-8821 or holmdelchurch@verizon.net.

Holmdel Community Church is located at 40 Main Street (Route 520) in Holmdel, NJ.