06/01/2026
Ministry is the driving force behind the planned merger of two Hunterdon County churches.
Kingwood United Methodist Church and Frenchtown United Methodist Church will soon become the Open Door United Methodist Church, operating from the site of 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 on third Sundays at 5:00 p.m.
Kingwood UMC is the oldest Methodist church in Hunterdon, and its site on Route 519 in southern Kingwood Township 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 funded over $50,000 in scholarships to Delaware Valley Regional High School students since 2019. Efforts like that are the impetus for the change.
“I think of it as God at work creating something new,” said Rev. Peter Mantell, pastor of the Frenchtown, Kingwood and Sergeantsville United Methodist Churches for the past 12 years.
The new church’s name was inspired by the food pantry the Frenchtown church has been sponsoring. “The pantry has become the focus of this church’s ministry and how the church has become identified,” Mantell 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 Mantell’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-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 Mantell 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. Still, while the Open Door United Methodist Church will be forward-looking, there are plans being formulated to remember and honor the long histories of both Kingwood and Frenchtown United Methodist Churches.
“I’m very community-minded and try to bring that out in my preaching and teaching,” Mantell said, “being inclusive, welcoming of all people, and helping the marginalized.”
The Kingwood church will hold its last traditional Sunday service on June 28, at 9:00 a.m. Rev. Ronell Howard, a district superintendent of the United Methodists of Greater New Jersey, will attend. A potluck meal will be held afterward, honoring the more than 240 years a church has been at that location. The Open Door United Methodist Church will continue the tradition of Breakfast Church services on the last Sunday of the month in the Kingwood location.
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.
“Biblically, Jesus is the door, the gate,” Mantell said. “If we open the door to all the people Jesus loves – which is everyone – we’re fulfilling our mission.”
For more information, visit the website www.kingwood-frenchtownumchurches.com, call the Frenchtown church at 908-996-3117, or email Mantell at [email protected].
