12/6/07
St. Matthias Church Bazaar makes big hit again
By Eric Goold

ERIC GOOLD/Manning Times

Patrons at the annual St. Matthias Episcopal Church Bazaar shop for homemade crafts last Saturday afternoon in Summerton. The Bazaar is held each year by the Episcopal Church Women and features fine items to buy as well as great food to eat.

No one knows for sure how many years in a row the St. Matthias Episcopal Church in Summerton has held its annual Bazaar.

Ask Frances Wray, President of the Episcopal Church Women, how long it has been and she might say, “I think 48 years.”

Ask past President Martha Wright and she’ll say, “It’s been about 41 years.”

Regardless of the exact number, it’s easy to see why the Bazaar has become an annual tradition in Summerton. The combination of good times, good people and a good cause will carry the Bazaar into many more years of fun and fundraising.

The Bazaar was held last Saturday morning from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. and people were lined up at the doors of the cultural hall at St. Matthias Church well in advance.

“The Episcopal Church Women put it on,” said Caroline Herring, who estimated the Bazaar to be 48 or 50 years old. “We offer a variety of crafts and Christmas presents for sale. We have some very talented artisans in this church who make things and donate them.”

ERIC GOOLD/Manning Times

Bill Rawlinson, right, and Johnnie Herring, left, prepare the barbecue chicken for the St. Matthias Episcopal Church Bazaar last Saturday afternoon in Summerton.

Tables full of beautiful homemade jewelry, handcrafted glass bowls and pottery, Christmas trinkets, artworks and a wide range of items for the home were available for sale. There was even a fine selection of reasonably priced Cashmere sweaters.

“The funds all go to different functions in the church and outreach programs,” said Herring. “We try to do everything so all the money goes back into the church and the community.”

Of course, the Bazaar wouldn’t be the Bazaar without a wonderful array of tasty food. Two large cookers outside the cultural hall around the corner fired up barbecue chicken while inside a wide range of tasty treats were available.

Soup and cornbread hit the spot for lunch on a cool day. Patrons found a wide range of casseroles, pies, cakes and delicious homemade treats available for sale. Whole or half chicken lunches for takeout were piled up on the tables outside.

The hottest selling dish of all were the world famous Tomato Pies.

“They’ve got cheese and tomatoes and peppers and all sorts of good things,” said volunteer Judy Thigpen, who added that all of the Tomato Pies sold in about the first ten minutes. “Best of all, the whole thing is covered with bacon on top. It’s our most popular item.”

The Episcopal Church Women believe that tradition is important, especially when it comes to the Bazaar.

“There’s a lot of different things we do periodically through the year,” said Herring. “We’re real active and we have a lot of volunteers. Many hands make the work light.”

Judging from the large crowds that were just chomping at the bit, the Bazaar was a big hit.

“The Episcopal Church Women put so much effort into this,” said Rev. David Thurlow of St. Matthias Episcopal Church. “These ladies just work so hard and do such a good job, and that really shows here on the day of the Bazaar.”

If you missed out this year, be ready to pick up a Tomato Pie at the Bazaar next year. And mark your calendar for Jan. 12, when the Episcopal Church will host an Oyster Roast at Flower’s Tomato Shed.