USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 44
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In 1880-84, P. F. Jones was pastor and in 1883, the name of the church was changed to Union Hill. Mr. J. Campbell, a licentiate, sup- plied the church for two years till 1888, when H. A. King became pastor for two years. E. N. Harding followed Mr. King for two years, 1890-91; C. S. Daniels, pastor in 1892-94; J. H. Dudley, 1894-97. In 1895, the old property was sold and a new and spacious house built in a central locality. Worship was begun in the basement in the fall of 1895. The upper room was occupied soon after. When Mr. Dudley resigned, Rev. H. C. Carr settled as pastor in 1897, staying until 1898, when Rev. T. J. Cleaveland became pastor in 1899 and was in 1900. Of the first church edifice,no other mention is made than of its sale. The church has had thir- teen pastors, including the licentiates. One member has been licensed to preach. There is a German Baptist church on Union Hill and there is a large German element in the near neighborhood. Two houses of worship have been in use.
Glenwood was originally known as North Vernon. It is easy to believe that First Newton, later Wantage, with two houses of worship one near Hamburg and one at Augusta, had permeated Sussex County with Baptist ideas. North Vernon and the Vernon near Hamburg, where a Baptist church had been constituted in 1798, which in 1811, removed to Hamburg, taking the name of Hamburg and retaining its original date 1798, must also have been imbued with Baptist views.
Glenwood church is distant one half mile from the line separating New Jersey and New York. Rev. Samuel Grenelle, pastor of Orange
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GLENWOOD
church in New York State, had a regular service at North Vernon and on his removal his successors maintained it. In 1845, Rev. William H. Spencer of Hamburg organized the Glenwood Baptists into a branch of the Hamburg church. Since then, Baptists held monthly church meetings and enjoyed in their locality, the quarterly administration of the Lord's Supper. Other Baptists moved to Glenwood in 1862, and all of them agreed to organize a Baptist church. Baptists bought a deserted meeting house in the village and a committee visited Zelotes Grenelle and engaged him to be pastor. A young man, Daniel Bailey, not a member of the church, built a parsonage and gave it to the church. The parsonage is now in use. Three churches, Hamburg, Orange of New York State and First Wantage, had thirty-eight members living near Glenwood. A council was called to meet on January 11th, 1862, to recognize these as the Glenwood Baptist church. The council met and the plans were carried out. Rev. Z. Grenelle was pastor. Mr. Grenelle concluded his pastorate in 1865. His nephew, Rev. T. M. Grenelle was immediately called to be pastor and began his charge in 1865 and in 1900, was pastor, thirty-five years. A new church edifice costing ten thousand dollars was erected in a more eligible position in 1870. The building included the conveniences and helps for worship and work usual to Baptist churches in modern times and was dedi- cated free of debt. A rural community and isolated, neither sudden or large growth is anticipated. Still seasons of revival have been fre- quently enjoyed, and latterly in this long pastorate as in its earlier per- iods. Two houses of worship have been in use. The first bought, the second built by the church. There have been two pastors, an uncle and a nephew. The nephew holding the ground which his father had cultivated and occupied seventy years before.
CHAPTER XLVII.
HAMMONTON AND VINELAND.
Few other churches have had a more lowly beginning than Ham- monton. Its membership, when organized in June 1859, was but seven. Neither pastor or house of worship cheered these few. True the two or three might claim the promise of the Divine presence and its girding, with mor eassurance than a multitude and yet human nature asks; "What are these among so many?" There is also, in the world a judgment that magnifies weakness. Humanity limits God and measures him by its own rule. Still the seven had grown to sixteen. In another year and the sixteen had multiplied to thirty-seven.
A pastor, a good and true man, Rev. Thomas Davis, was engaged: a thousand dollars had been accumulated to build a church edifice on land given to the church in 1860, and a house of worship was erected and was dedicated in August 1864. The good man who ministers to them stays to have part in their gladness and then says to them: "Fare- well," having for two years shared in their straits and triumphs. Another, Rev. George Kempton, having in mind their narrow financial resources, adapts himself to their needs and ministers to them cheer- fully and profitably, until in 1869, they have attained strength to sus- tain a pastor. Then Rev. S. J. Weaver enters on the duties of pastor for a year, after which, Pastor Kempton then resumes his pastoral care, which he retains to June 1878. A period of cheerful and nearly volun- tary service for twelve years. Rev. William M. Paulin is pastor for a year. He is followed by Rev. J. C. Jacob in June, 1880. Mr. Jacob was with them two years. The house of worship in use for sixteen years was in need of renovation and that was accomplished. On June 1st, Rev. T. Bishop became pastor for a year, whom Rev. D. T. Davies followed for two years. Internal differences account for the frequent changes. In the last charge the house of worship was removed " to a better location and one was licensed to preach.
Rev. E. M. Ogden followed in January 1887. Under Mr. Ogden mission Sunday schools were planted in near by towns and at Rosedale a chapel was built in 1888. The pastor's health failed and he resigned in 1889. Rev. L. R. Sweet became pastor in January 1890. Scores were baptized and the house of worship was enlarged. In 1891, a student supply served the church and another student ministered in 1894. Mr. J. C. Killian was ordained in June 1894, continuing to
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HAMMONTON AND FIRST VINELAND
1897. Rev. T. H. Athey was pastor in 1898-1900. Eleven pastors have ministered to the church. One was pastor twelve years. His salary was only nominal, being a resident and this may explain the length of his pastorate. But one house of worship has been in use. It has, however, been enlarged and modernized and moved to a central location.
The part of New Jersey called Vineland, when named was in general opinion, a waste of pines and sand. A genial climate won many from the cold and ice of New England. An easily cultured soil and its adaptation to fruits, won others, weary of the hardships of a cold and unremunerative soil. Vineland was rescued from waste and became the home of a contented and busy people, who changed the desert into fields of verdure and profit.
The section proved healthful, the soil invited cultivation and made large returns, and by nearness to large cities and seaside resorts, had markets for its products. Great numbers of people, weary of long and cold winters, some enfeebled with illness and some induced by the romance of a new place, made the section a "habitation and a name." Thus Vineland had a conglomerate population and conglomerate opinions: free thinkers, thoughtful thinkers; babblers of science and babblers of ignorance. Mixed in a jumble of goodness and a jumble of badness, rocks and putty. Among them were Baptists; these had met in social and religious converse, but had not indulged in the thought of church organization, until suggested by Rev. J. M. Challis. Where- upon those of one mind, decided to constitute a regular Baptist church. They numbered thirty-three and on the 23rd of May, 1865, constituted a Baptist church. Supplies preached to them the first year and in July 1866, Rev. Lyman Chase became pastor. Owing to the uncertain- ty of building a house of worship, Mr. Chase gave up his charge in nine months. Mr. J. H. Brittain in August, 1867, entered the pastorate and was ordained the next month. A hall was first used for worship, then an upper story was offered until the church edifice was completed. Mr. Brittain resigned in November 1871.
The next month, Rev. H. B. Randall entered as pastor and it befell him to complete and settle all the business of the erection of the new house of worship. In the five years of his oversight, Mr. Randall bap- tized one hundred and thirty into the church and as many were re- ceived by letter and by experience. Mr. Randall had a successful charge in building up the church. Rev.T.W. Conway followed in Feb- ruary 1877. He stayed one year. In August 1878, Rev. C. A. Mott became pastor. His stay was short, closing his work in Vineland, early in 1879. Differences happened. Forty-eight members were dismissed
432
NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
and formed another Baptist church that lived about eighteen months and under Pastor Walden, who settled in March 1880, nearly all re- turned. Mr. Walden resigned in June 1883. On November 1st, in 1883, Rev. E. S. Towne became pastor. A lot given by a sister Dyer, secured the building of a parsonage while Mr. Towne was pastor. At the end of five years, Mr. Towne resigned. But the church adjourned to meet at the home of Pastor Towne and he withdrew his resignation, but stayed until December 1890 and removed despite serious objections by the church. In May 1891, Rev. L. R. Sweet was called and arrange- ments were made to be pastor at Vineland and to continue his studies, and this was the order till 1894. Early in 1895, Rev. H. H. Thomas settled.
Old difficulties that had subsided, arose and in April 1895, twenty- nine were dismissed. Mr. Thomas had a successful charge and the church was united. Rev. A. E. Douglass began his oversight in April 1899, and is pastor in 1900. The short life of the church has been characterized by two councils to adjust troubles and two churches formed by disaffected members. An aggregation of members of diff- erent ideas, from both east and west, north and south, had uncon- genialities. It is not American or Baptistic to take kindly to "leading strings." At Vineland, all kinds of people met, each meaning to be "somebody." The people were kindly, but the conditions were new. Wilfullness is a fault of humanity. Obstinacy and temper get the better of the best of men and there we rest. The church has had ten pastors, all good men. Two colonies were dismissed. The first, quietly returned to the fold. The second organized the West Vineland Baptist church in 1895. One or more members have been licensed to preach.
South Vineland Baptist church was constituted in 1867 and re- organized in 1870-71. An explanation of the reorganization is indicated by the movements of some Baptist sects in the settlement. Certain Baptists settled in South Vineland in 1864 Some were "Free Baptists," Armenian in doctrine and "open communion" in practice.
They, in building their homes, began religious meetings. A society made up of different names, began a house of worship in 1865. The first Lord's Day of the month was assigned to Presbyterians. The second was assigned to the Free Baptists. The third to the Methodists. The fourth to the Friends (Quakers). On the fifth, Rev. O. Wilbur preached for two years till the fall of 1869. The society that had built the place of worship, offered to give it to any evangelical denomin- ation, who would complete the building and use it for worship. The owner of the lot, Mr. W. H. Gardner, offered to deed it to Baptists on given conditions, They accepted the financial terms through Mr.
433
SOUTH AND WEST VINELAND
N. P. Potter and collected at First Salem, First Bridgeton, First New Brunswick and Governor Buckingham of Connecticut, and on the field, the needed five hundred dollars to meet the conditions of the property. Mr. N. P. Potter moved to South Vineland in 1867 and finding twenty regular Baptists there a Baptist church was organized that fall.
Whatever was the reason, in September, 1870, "upon the advice of Rev. P.R. Russell the church that had organized as a Baptist church in 1867, disbanded to reorganize." On the next week, seventeen of the old members formed a Baptist church adopting the Articles of Faith and Covenant in the Manual of Rev. J. Newton Brown." Of the twenty constituents in 1867, eleven were among the reorganizers in 1870 and possibly there were thirteen. "The Sunday school was re- organized in 1870 on lines in accord with the denomination." Mr. Russell was the first pastor of this body. He was pastor from 1870 to 1875. Then he retired from the public ministry being nearly seventy years old.
Rev. W. W. Meech became pastor in 1875. A mission Sunday school had been started at Magnolia in 1874. There in the summer of 1876, many conversions were professed. Pastor Meech resigned in October 1893, on account of impaired health, having been pastor seventeen years. A licentiate of the first church, Mr. E. Hemming was a supply, but home and business called him away. Attempts were made to make South Vineland a branch of the first church. This failing, Pastor Meech reentered as pastor of the church and is now (1900) the pastor. In both periods, being pastor twenty-five years, serving in his second term "at his own charges." The outlook is not cheering. The membership is but twelve, of whom five are non-residents.
A council which first Vineland Church called to advise them, in some of their internal troubles had adjourned and seemingly the diffi- culties were settled, afterward, the troubles appeared again. Where- upon, at the request of twenty-nine members, letters of dimission were given to them and West Vineland was organized in April, 1895. Mr. J. H. Bowne, while a student, preached for the new church till February 1896. Mr. C. W. Williams also a student, followed Mr. Bowne. Mr. Williams is in 1900 acting pastor of West Vineland church. Efforts to build a house of worship for themselves was completed in 1899, when they occupied a "beautiful church home." The outlook for the young church is cheering.
27
CHAPTER XLVIII.
-
TOMS RIVER, LAKEWOOD AND NEWFIELD.
There had been some early Baptist ministries from Manahawken (1770) North to Manasquan (1804). It is now too late to learn of Baptist ministers and of their work, "along shore" in the early days. Local traditions must content us. The seclusion of the seashore and of the Pines have shut the book of knowledge. The Pines were almost an impassable barrier to travel and commerce. For many years, they were a hiding place for fugitives from slavery and from the courts. Lost in the pines was a hopeless loss.
In 1835, Mr. A. O. S. Havens, (See Manasquan church history for his origin and family). was pastor of Kettle Creek church. Of its seven constituents, five were Havens. His field was from Manasquan to Manahawken. He permeated the coast with Baptist ideas. When he died in 1854, he did not have a successor in travel or in preaching. His children, nine grandchildren and great grandchildren are there and were constituents of the Baptist church. Also at Burrsville and at Lakewood. Toms River Baptist church was the first born of the missionary committee of the Trenton Association. The chairman of the committee visited the place in 1865, suggesting plans for an organization of the church and the building of a house of worship. In 1867, the committee met in the town and effected a church organization on September 21st, 1867, with ten members.
Mr. N. B. H. Gardner began his labors as pastor in March 1868 and was ordained. He closed his pastoral care with January 1869. Mr. Gardner was a mistake for that field. Rev. J. A. Metz became pastor in October 1870 and resigned in 1873 in February. While pastor, the first sanctuary for the church was built in 1871. On February 27th, 1873, Rev. A. J. Wilcox settled as pastor. His stay was short, resigning in August 1874. A parsonage was bought in the spring of 1873 and sold in 1878 at half of its cost. Rev. Thomas Davis entered as pastor in April 1874, retaining his charge till 1880. Illness and age compelled his resignation. The same year, Rev. A. Free was pastor. Next year, 1881, the parsonage property was bought back; the meeting house improved and the cost paid. For the three years, Mr. Free had been independent of aid from the State Convention. Mr. Free resigned in 1888, being pastor seven more years. It is due here to say that Mr. Mr. Free was not in full accord with evangelical truth. He was an
435
TOMS RIVER AND LAKEWOOD
attractive preacher, a pleasant and gentlemanly man, having social influence and a generous friend.
Later, he identified himself with New England Unitarians. In 1889, Rev. E. M. Ogden settled as pastor. At his coming, the spirit- ualities of the church revived. Converts were baptized and the preach- ing of Christ crucified was welcomed. Pastor Ogden resigned in 1892 and was followed by Rev. John Scott in 1893. A new, larger and beautiful church edifice was built and was dedicated in 1895. Soon after entrance to the new meeting house, Pastor Scott resigned. He had an eminently useful charge. All of the interestsof the church were brought into a larger and higher life. In 1895, Rev. J. Y. Irwin entered the pastorate. Within three years the church became inde- pendent of foreign aid. Mr. Irwin resigned in May 1899, and Rev. H. B. Carpenter became pastor in September 1899. The largest increase of membership was in 1894 and 95, the last year of Mr. Scott's oversight. Nine pastors have served the church. Of them Mr. Davis remained till old age and ill health made it necessary to retire and Mr. Free was the longest settled. An important element in the church has been the descendants of Rev. A. O. S. Havens. Two houses of worship have been built and used by the church. The first secured by the plan inaugurated by the Trenton Association, whereby, the Associ- ation agreed to raise a given sum for its building, serving as a motive to the locality and to others to insure its building.
The town of Lakewood was first called Bricksburg, a memorial name of Mr. Brick, who established the town. Mr. Brick used the "water power," there and as large sums must be spent in the enterprise, work- men and families made a large town. Population was also tending to the sea shore and to the health imbuing qualities of the Pines. Tides of emigration were flowing from the north and from the West. Vine- land, Asbury Park and Lakewood were names to conjure with; on these tides many Baptists sought a home in "the land of Promise."
Orient church, four miles away, was the nearest Baptist church to Lakewood. Freehold was further off. Lakewood was already under the surveillance of the committee and had been visited by its members. Pastor Parmley found more than twenty Baptists in Lakewood and called a conference of them. Pastor Brown of Orient had conferences with them and on the afternoon of May 24th, 1868, a prayer meeting was held and at its close, Mr. Brown preached and fifteen disciples constituted themselves the Bricksburg Baptist church. On the next Lord's Day, two others were added and Mr. Brown baptized three a f tr preaching. Within two months, the membership increased to twenty- eight and at the end of the year, the church numbered forty-two mem-
436
NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
bers. Rev. George Johnson had found renewed health in the place and preached until the coming of the pastor elect, Rev. D. C. Litchfield, who was pastor two years. On December 11th, 1872, Rev. A. Seargent was called. He had been a "free will Baptist," but accepting our views of church order, was recognized as a Baptist minister in June 1873, and became pastor. On account of his impaired health, he removed in July 1874. A. D. Willifer took his place for three years from Septem- ber 1st, 1874. Rev. George Johnson, with hesitation accepted the call of the church and entered on pastoral duties on September 1st, 1877 and for more than three years, discharged its duties. While pastor, arrangements were made by aid of the Association to buy the property they occupied, having previously rented the place. The name of the town was changed in 1880 and that of the church followed. After sup- plying the church, Mr. J. K. Folwell was ordained in March 1881, but returned to his studies at the end of the year.
In January 1882, Rev. E. Thompson settled as pastor and after nine years of acceptable labor, resigned in 1891. He was followed by Rev. W. H. Burlew who closed his labors in Lakewood in two years. Soon after, Rev. W. G. Wedemeyer entered on the pastoral care of the church and in 1904, was ministering as pastor. In a few years, a new sanctuary answering to the changes in the town, having become a winter resort, was necessary. A large and beautiful church edifice was occu- pied, first in the lecture room in November, 1897, and in the audience room in March 1898. The membership is less than anticipated. Bap- tists are not popular with some classes of society. Very true, a "sect everywhere, spoken against," both in the beginning and since. Lake- wood is the second church, which the missionary committee of the Trenton Association brought into existence. To it as to many others the Trenton Association gave not only nominal life, but also pecuniary aid to get a material habitation. Lakewood has had nine pastors, if we include the first service of Pastor Johnson. Mr. Johnson gave the church invaluable aid both as supply and as pastor. The people loved him. Two houses of worship have been in use by the church, one bought. The second built in the pastorate of Mr. Wede- meyer.
After many years of active service in Iowa, a good and useful minister realizing his strength and health failing, came to New Jersey in 1866 in the hope of restoration. With recovery to the old time life, came an earnest purpose to devote restored strength to God, Mr. I. Leonard settled in South Jersey. Mr. Leonard writes: "Having preach- ed to other denominations until the spring of 1867, I preached my first sermon in Newfield; the day and month I do not remember." In
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NEWFIELD
the spring of 1867, a school house was built in Newfield. The congre- gationalists used it two Lord's days of the month, the Methodists one. Three Baptist families lived in the village and a deacon of the congre- gationalists visited Mr. Leonard and invited him to preach on the fourth Lord's Day.
This arrangement lasted five years and the time had come to organ- ize a Baptist church and to build a meeting house for its use. A church was constituted in May 1872, with Mr. Leonard and his family and eleven members. A house of worship was dedicated free from debt in May 1874. Mr. Leonard was himself independent of need of a salary. He was chosen pastor and remained ten years and if the five years of preparatory work is included his entire service would be fifteen years. His impaired health made it necessary for him to resign in 1882. Rev. George Bowman assumed the oversight the same day on which Mr. Leonard retired. Mr. Bowman was pastor three years. In March 1886, Rev. D. Hall settled and closed his charge in 1888. Rev. J. E. Keylor entered the pastorate in August 1888 and for seven years was efficient and useful. Supplies ministered for several years and in this period the meeting house was removed to a better location and was enlarged. In January, 1897, Rev. J. A. Crawn settled as pastor and resigned in 1899. The next February (1900) Rev. George A. Sowell became pastor. Since his settlement, a parsonage has been built on a lot, the gift of Gen. W. P. Edgarton. Rev. W. G. Robinson is now pastor (1904). The church has had seven pastors and one colony, Clayton, has gone from Newfield in 1889.
CHAPTER XLIX.
SEA VIEW, SOMERS POINT AND CAPE MAY CALVARY.
Originally, Sea View was Somers Point church. It is published as organized in 1881, whereas, that is the date of the change of its name and of its locality at Seaview. Somers Point Baptist church (now Seaview) was constituted in July 1862. Previously, six Baptists had met at the house of William C. Yates. Two of them were Baptist ministers, Rev. Thomas Davis, pastor of Hammonton Baptist church.
At the meeting at the house of Mr. Yates, it had been decided to form a branch of Hammonton church at Somers Point. They also called a council to meet at the house of Mr. Yates in July. The council met and advised these Baptists to organize an independent Baptist church at Somers Point. This was done then and there. The con- stituents were six. Rev. Thomas Davis was called to be pastoral supply, to visit them once in four weeks. In April, 1863, three sites for a meeting house in three localities were offered. That at Bakersville was chosen, where afterward, a meeting house was built. Pastor Davis gave up his charge at Somers Point in November 1864. Afterwards, a proposition was made to move from Bakersville to Sea View, where a chapel had been erected. Matters continued thus till 1878. Destitute of preaching, discouragements increased. About 1881, Rev. T. L. Bailey, M. D., visited the neighborhood and preached at Sea View and again at Bakersville. Again the proposition was made to remove the building from Bakersville to Sea View.
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