BERLIN–The Fall Feast of St. Martin, a time to celebrate nature’s bounty at the end of the agrarian year, will be held on the grounds of historic St. Martin’s Church on Friday, Nov. 1. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and features local foods from land and sea, wines and spirits and live music. Jazz musician Dave Hollister from Annapolis will entertain.

The church will be open so visitors can see the progress being made in the continuing preservation and restoration both on the interior and exterior of the building. The Worcester County Garden Club will decorate the church in the style of the period.

Construction on the brick building was begun in 1756 and finished in 1763, three years before the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The brick exterior still appears today much as it did when construction was completed. Records from 1703 indicate there was an earlier frame building, a chapel of ease, at this location.  St. Martin’s Church is listed on The National Register of Historic Places. 

During October tickets are being sold for a sterling silver and black diamond pendant called “The Key to St. Martin’s”, an exact replica of the key to St. Martin’s Church. The winning raffle ticket will be drawn on Nov. 1 at festival. The pendant was designed by Sherrie Beckstead, president of the Board of Directors of the Historic St. Martin’s Church Foundation, and cast by master goldsmith, Steven Clarke. Only 150 raffle tickets will be sold. The cost is $50. All proceeds from the raffle and event will go to the Historic St. Martin’s Church Foundation to be used for the ongoing restoration of the historic property and for the new public facilities to be constructed at the site.

Tickets to “The Fall Feast of St. Martin” cost $125 per person. Call 410-251-2849.  The property is located at 11413 Worcester Highway, at the intersection of Route 113 and Racetrack Road.