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    The building that houses the St. Agnes Thrift Shop was built by James Leonard as a colonial two-story home. His family was in the lumber business and it can be assumed the best materials were used, and thus we see it today, just as strong and as sturdy as it was over 100 years ago.

    It was Robert Mantell, the great Shakespearean actor who, at the turn of the century, converted the building into a Victorian style home, adding large wraparound porches, balconies and a third floor to accommodate 28 actors and actresses. The troupe spent the summers rehearsing in their theater on the property and putting on plays for the townspeople, and then going on the road through the United States and Canada.

    Robert Mantell also assisted in the financing of the acquisition of Atlantic Highlands’ first motorized fire truck by putting on the play MacBeth in town. One of our fire trucks still bears his name.

    This historic building on Avenue D still plays an important role today. Since 1968 when the St. Agnes Thrift Shop first occupied the premises, it has contributed a significant amount of money to the support of St. Agnes School. This was accomplished through the generosity of parishioners and others with their material donations and countless hours of labor of the all-volunteer workers who operate the shop. The building is now stocked on all three floors with merchandise which has attracted customers from not only Monmouth County, but from other parts of New Jersey, New York and even Pennsylvania.

    The shop is not only a tremendous financial asset for the school, but performs a needed social function in providing quality merchandise for the family at a very low cost. Through the St. Vincent dePaul Society, the shop offers assistance to the poor, not only in our local community, but with shipments of clothing to convents located in Florida and W. Virginia,, and then redistributed.

    Hopefully, with the grace of God and the help of our parishioners and volunteers, the St. Agnes Thrift Shop will continue in its role of love and charity for many years.