While the history of women in Christian service at the First Presbyterian Church of Matawan doesn't begin with their being elected to church office, it is well worth noting the names of the following pioneers for their achievement in breaking down the gender barrier to board membership.
The Session was established in 1820. Two women were first named to the board in 1959.
- Mrs Arnold C Massie
- Mrs William H Groft
The Board of Trustees was established in 1816. Miss J Mabel Brown was named as the first woman to the board in 1956 and became its first female President sometime before 1960.
The Board of Deacons was established in 1943. Six women were first named to the board in 1952.
- Mrs Henry Luhrs
- Mrs J Fred Robinson
- Mrs E Story Hallock
- Mrs John C Hessey
- Mrs Vernon F Beyer
- Mrs Walter Stamm
Note that
Presbyterians Pioneer at Matawan, written in 1959, quaintly associates each of the married women with their husbands, so I don't have their first names at my disposal. Maybe someone remembers their names or could look them up in church records? It could be a reply to this posting or written up more formally in an upcoming Lantern.
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