St. Thomas Episcopal Church 212 N. Main St. Glassboro ARTICLE FROM THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER           Posted on Sun, Mar. 2, 2008 St. Thomas Episcopal Church   Address: 212 N. Main St., Glassboro Denomination: Episcopal. Size: Approximately 245 families. Staff: The Rev. Idalia S. Craig, priest-in-charge. History: In 1791, the congregation of St. Thomas built a one-room log cabin on North Main Street to hold weekly Mass. The humble building included a large window to allow in light. A bell that hung from a tree was rung every Sunday to announce the start of Mass. St. Thomas was first mentioned in the "Journals of the Convention" in 1799, when Bishop John Croes, first bishop of New Jersey, stated that he had preached several times there and had baptized several children. St. Thomas was admitted into the convention in 1809. St. Thomas was incorporated in 1841. To accommodate its growing membership, the Whitney family donated a block at Focer and Main Streets for a new church. Architect John Notman of Philadelphia was employed. A Gothic-style church made from local sandstone was completed in 1846 and stands today as a monument to the American Gothic revival of the 1800s. Additions over the years included the chancel and sacristy in 1861; the current rectory in 1881, and the organ in 1888. The parish hall was added in 1954 for social and other religious events. What makes you proud of your house of worship? St. Thomas makes you feel like you are part of a family, guided by God's word through Christ. Our worship services are inclusive for all members of the family. We have a Children's Chapel service directed toward instructing our youngest members and their guardians in teachings of Christ through the use of song and play. Holy Communion, in which we come together as a full family to the Lord's table to be refreshed and draw nearer to Christ, is offered at all principal services, including Children's Chapel. Christian education is offered for all, from nursery age to adult. Recognizing that fellowship is not just for Sundays, we offer a variety of activities to enjoy one another's company: picnics, family-fun nights, bowling, covered-dish dinners, children's plays, concerts, and coffee hours. This camaraderie is also evident through church organizations and service groups: Delta-Sigma, the youth group; Altar Guild, and the Tuesday work crew. We have recently held our 80th Election Day Ham and Oyster Dinner. Our church family reaches out to the community at large, recognizing that we are all part of God's family. Although we are a relatively small congregation, we host "Family Promise, Interfaith Hospitality Network," an outreach program providing temporary shelter for the homeless in Gloucester County. We also contribute to the "Samaritan Center," Glassboro's food pantry. A group of knitters and crocheters, called the Knitwits, make lap robes for injured members of the military. We assemble care packages for individuals in rehabilitation centers, and our lay ministers take communion to the homebound. Our youth participate in CROP Walk and raised money for hurricane relief, Episcopal relief and Development Fund's Farm Animal Program. Our family identity is best summed up by a member who recently was about to be discharged from the hospital. When asked whether she had anyone who could help her, she replied she had at least 200 people: her church family. Worship schedule: 5:30 p.m. Saturdays, Holy Communion; 8 and 9:30 a.m. Sundays, Holy Communion; 9:30 a.m. Sundays, Children's Chapel. Phone: 856-881-9144 On the Web: www.stthomasglassboro.org or e-mail stthomas212n@netzero.net