The first preachers who visited any part of the New Jersey shore of whom we have any account, belonged to the Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers. This society established a meeting at Tuckerton in 1704, and built a meetinghouse there in 1709.

The first religious society established in Ocean County was probably that of the Rogerine Baptists, a company of whom came to Waretown about 1737 and remained here about eleven years and then left. They were singular people in their ideas of worship. Among other peculiarities, the members took work to meeting with them, and during services the men made axe and hoe handles, the women knit, sewed, &c. The principal member of the society was Abraham Waeir, from whom Waretown derives its name. It is probable they held meetings in a building used as a schoolhouse.

An Episcopalian clergyman named Rev. Thomas Thompson, visited Barnegat and Manahawkin while he was a missionary in old Monmouth, from 1745 to 1751, and on his return sent Christopher Robert Reynolds, who was a schoolmaster of the "Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," to labor at these two places, but on account of his age and infirmity he remained but a short time.

A church, which tradition says was free to all denominations, was built at Manahawkin as early as 1758, which was the first church built in Ocean County. This church is now known as the Baptist Church. The Baptist Society was organized in it August 25th, 1770.

The second church built in Ocean County was the noted Potter Church, at Goodluck, built by Thomas Potter in 1766, which he intended to be free to all denominations.

The third church built in Ocean County was the Quaker Meeting House, at Barnegat, erected as early as 1770. This was the first church in the county built for a particular society.