The first church built in Ocean county was the one generally known as the Baptist Church at Manahawken. It was built at least as early as 1758, as it is said the original deed for the land on which it was situated is dated August 24, 1758, and calls for 1 20-100 acres, "beginning at a stake 265 links north-west from the meetinghouse," by which it appears the edifice was already erected. There is a tradition that the church was originally erected as a free church, chiefly through the instrumentality of James Haywood. That it was free to all denominations is quite evident, as in it meetings were held by Quakers, Presbyterians, and probably Methodists, and Rev. John Murray, the founder of Universalism in America, also preached in it. In Webster's History of Presbyterianism it is claimed as a Presbyterian Church. The author probably supposed it to be such because ministers of that society held regular services in it - in fact, they held them many years before the Baptist Society was organized, and were entertained by Messrs. Haywood and Randolph, subsequently named among the founders of the Baptist Society, as appears by a letter written by Rev. John Brainerd in 1761. It is evident that the early settlers of Manahawken were not only anxious to hear the Word of Truth, but also believed in religious toleration.

The history of the Baptist Society at Manahawken, as given in its old church record, was evidently written many years after the organization of the society. It is well worth preserving in our local religious history. The following is substantially from the church record:

"About 1760, James Haywood, a Baptist from Coventry, England; Benjamin, Reuben and Joseph Randolph, also Baptists, from Piscataway, settled in this neighborhood. They were visited by Rev. Mr. Blackwell, who preached and baptized among them. Other Baptists settled among them from Scotch Plains; so that in 1770, they were multiplied to nine souls, which nine were constituted a Gospel church that same year by Rev. Benjamin Miller. They joined the Baptist Association, and were occasionally visited by other brethren, so that in 1776 they numbered fifteen. Rev. Henry Crossley resided among them some time, and was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Bonnell, after whose departure there was no more account of Manahawken Church; so that in 1799, at a meeting of the Baptist Association at Great Valley, they were about to be erased from the records, but at the intervention of one or two brethren they were spared, and visited by ministering brethren, and that not in vain, for though there could none be found of the character of Baptists save five female members, two of whom are since deceased, yet a number round about were baptized among them; but not meeting in membership with them, it remained doubtful whether they could be considered a church. Next season, they were represented to the Association with flattering prospects, and a query was made whether they really were a church, which query was answered in the affirmative; in consequence of which supplies were named, some of whom proposed the propriety of receiving into fellowship among them such as had been, or may be in future baptized among them. The proposition was generally accepted, both by the old members and young candidates, and in confirmation of which the first Suuday in July, 1802, was set apart for the above purpose, when Brothers Alexander McGowan and Benjamin Hedges gave their assistance. Brother McGowan, pastor of the church at New Mills (now Pemberton), by authority, and one behalf of Sarah Puryne (Perrine?) Mary Sprague and Elizabeth Sharp, the remainder of the church in the place, receiving into union, by right hand of fellowship, the following named persons, viz:

Daniel Parker and Elizabeth his wife; Edward Gennings and Abigail his wife; Thomas Edwards and Catharine his wife; Samuel Grey and Katurah his wife; Amos Southard and wife; Mary Fortuneberry; Phebe Bennett; Hannah White; Martha Headley; Leah Clayton; Hannah Sulsey; Jemima Pidgeon; Hester Perrine." In the foregoing, Mary Fortuneberry, we presume, should be Mary Falkinburgh.

The Baptist Century Book furnishes additional information to the above as follows:

"The Baptist Society at Manahawken was organized August 25, 1770. In October, 1771, there were eleven members, and Lines Pangburn was a delegate to the Baptist Association. There were seven appointments made for that year.

In 1772 there were twelve members; four preachers were appointed for the ensuing year.

1773. No delegates; twelve members.

1774. Rev. Henry Crossley, delegate; fifteen members; four had joined by letter, one by baptism and one died. The church this year is called "The Stafford Church."

1775. No delegates; members the same.

From 1775 there are no returns until the year 1800, when five members are reported.

1801. Four members, one having died. The remaining members of the church having some doubts in their minds because of the fewness of their numbers, whether they exist as a church or not, it is the sense of this Association that the church still exists, and while they rejoice in that prosperity which has lately attended the preaching of the Gospel among them, they exort them to proceed to the reception of members and the election of officers.

1802. Edward Gennings appointed delegate; four baptized, twenty received by letter, one dead; remaining, 27 members.

1803. Thirty-three members.

1804. Amos Southard and Samuel Grey, delegates; 31 members.

1805. Samuel Grey, delegate; 74 members; 44 baptized; two received by letter, and three dismissed.

1806. Samuel Grey and Edward Gennings, delegates; 69 members.

Here ends the record of this church in the Baptist Century Book.

It will be seen by the foregoing, that from the outbreak of the Revolutionary war this society seems to have shared the fate of so many others in that eventful period, being virtually broken up for a time. Some of its principal members and supporters responded to their country's call; Reuben F. Randolph became a captain in the militia, his sons members of his company; Lines Pangburn, who we presume was the same person first elected delegate, was killed by the Refugees within sight of the church, and doubtless others were among the patriots from this village, who did military service during the war, particularly in guarding against marauding bands of Refugees who were active until the very close of the Revolution.

Rev. Benjamin Miller, who organized the church, belonged to Scotch Plains, where he labored for over thirty years, and died in 1781.

For the items relating to the original deed of the church we are indebted to the researches of the late Samuel H. Shreve, Esq.

The Baptist Century Book says that "the Baptist Church of Squan and Dover" was received into the Baptist Association in October, 1805, and the same year Samuel Haven was delegate, and the society had thirty-eight members. In 1807 Samuel Haven was again delegate; forty-five members.

In Gordon's History of New Jersey, it is stated that a Baptist Society was established at West Creek in 1792, which had, about 1832, thirty-three members. [This is believed to have been in Cape May county.]