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St. Peter's-at-the-Light
Episcopal Church
Barnegat Light, New Jersey
Episcopal Church
Barnegat Light, New Jersey
Located on the scenic New Jersey shore, St. Peter’s-at-the-Light
Episcopal Church is nestled on the northern tip of LBI in the quaint
fishing borough of Barnegat Light, under the sweeping beam of
the “Old Barney” Lighthouse. Originally constructed at the behest
of ship builder Benjamin Archer in 1890 as a chapel for visitors to
the Oceanic Hotel, the building was sold to the Episcopal Diocese
of New Jersey in 1937 and designated a summer chapel. St.
Peter’s was closed in 1946 for several years, but was reopened in
1955 by Bishop Banyard at the urging of Fr. Henry Beck and
William Doughty. By the late 1980's services at St. Peter’s were
conducted year round, and the church achieved Mission status in
1992.
Episcopal Church is nestled on the northern tip of LBI in the quaint
fishing borough of Barnegat Light, under the sweeping beam of
the “Old Barney” Lighthouse. Originally constructed at the behest
of ship builder Benjamin Archer in 1890 as a chapel for visitors to
the Oceanic Hotel, the building was sold to the Episcopal Diocese
of New Jersey in 1937 and designated a summer chapel. St.
Peter’s was closed in 1946 for several years, but was reopened in
1955 by Bishop Banyard at the urging of Fr. Henry Beck and
William Doughty. By the late 1980's services at St. Peter’s were
conducted year round, and the church achieved Mission status in
1992.
To further contribute to the ministry at St. Peter’s, the construction of a Parish House was
completed in 1992. With its large kitchen, meeting hall, modern restrooms, and office, this
wonderful facility provides space to host meetings, classes, and community suppers.
completed in 1992. With its large kitchen, meeting hall, modern restrooms, and office, this
wonderful facility provides space to host meetings, classes, and community suppers.
St. Peter’s continues to grow and serve the Lord in outreach to the community and to the world. That same
diligence and devotion of the priests and men and women of the past who have “written” the history of St. Peter’s
are very much at work today! In 2004, St. Peter’s took a daring leap of faith and called Fr. Donald Turner as its
first on-site priest. The following year a new vicarage was built next to the church for the priest and his family.
diligence and devotion of the priests and men and women of the past who have “written” the history of St. Peter’s
are very much at work today! In 2004, St. Peter’s took a daring leap of faith and called Fr. Donald Turner as its
first on-site priest. The following year a new vicarage was built next to the church for the priest and his family.
A magnificent triptych, depicting the life of St. Peter,
graces the east wall behind the altar. Its panels,
three-dimensional carvings and Renaissance-style
paintings, portray scenes in the life of St. Peter,
interspersed with flora and fauna of Long Beach
Island.
This exquisite work of art was created around 1957
by the late Lewis Carr of Barnegat Light, a con-
summate craftsman, who excelled in a variety of
media. He was commissioned by Diocesan Bishop
Alfred Banyard to paint the triptych and execute its
carvings for the reopening of St. Peter’s Church.
Mr. Carr painted the sanctuary red to represent the
throne of God, with a blue ceiling to represent
Heaven, setting it apart from the Nave which
represents earth. The gold-stenciled designs of
the cross and the keys to the Kingdom are symbols
of St. Peter.
graces the east wall behind the altar. Its panels,
three-dimensional carvings and Renaissance-style
paintings, portray scenes in the life of St. Peter,
interspersed with flora and fauna of Long Beach
Island.
This exquisite work of art was created around 1957
by the late Lewis Carr of Barnegat Light, a con-
summate craftsman, who excelled in a variety of
media. He was commissioned by Diocesan Bishop
Alfred Banyard to paint the triptych and execute its
carvings for the reopening of St. Peter’s Church.
Mr. Carr painted the sanctuary red to represent the
throne of God, with a blue ceiling to represent
Heaven, setting it apart from the Nave which
represents earth. The gold-stenciled designs of
the cross and the keys to the Kingdom are symbols
of St. Peter.
| The Triptych |
The two side panels illustrate scenes from the life of St. Peter. Note that Mr. Carr has incorporated various images
of local interest, including the lighthouse, St. Peter's Church, as well as the island flora and fauna, seagulls and
shells.
The center panel features our Lord as Christ Triumphant ~ Christ the King. The Lord is garbed in a green chasuble,
representing everlasting life, woven with a pomegranate design - a symbol of Resurrection; the red lining notes his
sacrifice. In the Lord's hand is the chalice and host, representing the Bidy and Blood. Surrounding the throne of
God are four Archangels.
of local interest, including the lighthouse, St. Peter's Church, as well as the island flora and fauna, seagulls and
shells.
The center panel features our Lord as Christ Triumphant ~ Christ the King. The Lord is garbed in a green chasuble,
representing everlasting life, woven with a pomegranate design - a symbol of Resurrection; the red lining notes his
sacrifice. In the Lord's hand is the chalice and host, representing the Bidy and Blood. Surrounding the throne of
God are four Archangels.
In addition to St. Peter, these gem-like
windows portray the Virgin and Child,
St. Cecilia, St. Francis, St. Dorothea,
St. Andrew, and John the Apostle.
Among the symbols they bear, many
are associated with the Christian
church, as well as with the New Jersey
coast environment.
windows portray the Virgin and Child,
St. Cecilia, St. Francis, St. Dorothea,
St. Andrew, and John the Apostle.
Among the symbols they bear, many
are associated with the Christian
church, as well as with the New Jersey
coast environment.
The spectacularly beautiful stain glass
memorial windows were installed in the
1970’s. The first was the St. Peter
window, dedicated to the memory of Lewis
Carr. Other windows quickly followed in
memory of individuals and families who
had loved and worshipped here.
memorial windows were installed in the
1970’s. The first was the St. Peter
window, dedicated to the memory of Lewis
Carr. Other windows quickly followed in
memory of individuals and families who
had loved and worshipped here.
| Memorial Windows |
Also adorning this historic and artistic edifice
are many relief carved-oak furnishings, rich
with religious symbols and a nautical flavor,
are many relief carved-oak furnishings, rich
with religious symbols and a nautical flavor,
by local artist Tom Martie. These, as well as the church's natural wood interior, stain glass windows and triptych calls
to each heart to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
to each heart to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.