The first church built at Barnegat was the Quaker meetinghouse. The deed for the land on which it is situated, is dated June 11, 1770, and is from Timothy Ridgway and Levi Cranmer to Stephen Birdsall and Job Ridgway, of Barnegat, and Daniel Shrouds [sic] and Joseph Gauntt, of Tuckerton. The deed calls for one acre and a half quarter - consideration money, twenty shillings. The meetinghouse was then already built, as the deed calls for the beginning of the survey at a certain course and distance "from the south-east corner of the meetinghouse." The Job Ridgway named in the deed died July 24, 1832, aged 89 years.
The Presbyterians were among the early religious pioneers of the village, and about 1760 they commenced holding regular or occasional services. Among the first preachers were Bev. Messrs. Chesnut, Green, McKnight and John Brainerd. From a letter written by Rev. John Brainerd in 1761, it seems the Presbyterians held their meetings at the house of Mr. Rulon.
The Presbyterian Society now at Barnegat is of recent origin, having been organized in February, 1876, with nine members.
The first effort to introduce Episcopalianism in Barnegat was by Rev. Thomas Thompson, between 1745 and 1750, which he mentions in his published account of missionary services in old Monmouth in those years.
The Methodist pioneers held regular or occasional services probably as far back as the Revolution. The first Methodist Society was organized in 1829, with the late Rev. Job Edwards as the first class leader and local preacher. Mr. Edwards' grandfather, James Edwards, who had been a soldier in the old French War, was one of the earliest and most earnest converts to Methodism along shore, and in more modern times the Society in this section has had no more zealous, successful laborer than Rev. Job Edwards. "He still lives" in the cherished remembrance of his fellow-members, and in the evidences of his works in the cause of his Master.
The following copy of a paper shows the origin of the old Barnegat Free Church. To residents of this section the names appended will be read with interest, as they recall their predecessors of fifty years ago:
We, the subscribers, inhabitants of Barnegat, in the township of Stafford, and county of Monmouth, do propose to build a meetinghouse for the purpose of preaching, in the village of Barnegat, free and open for the reception of preachers of all Christian denominations. We therefore solicit the aid of all charitably disposed persons, as we are fully persuaded that all that is given for such a purpose will be abundantly made up to us in this life, and tenfold in that which is to come, for we consider it our reasonable duty to use every means prescribed in the Gospel to aid in the diffusion of the Word of God throughout our land.
We therefore promise to pay unto the trustees who shall be appointed to receive the same, the sum annexed to our several signatures, on or before the first day of August next ensuing, if thereto required:
Daniel Smith, $20; Thos. B. Odell, $20; D. S. Haywood, $10; John Tilton, $10; Caleb Cranmer, $20; Stacy Jennings, $5; Job Inman, $5; John Perine, $5; Edward Jennings, $5; Orrin Chamberlain, $5 ; Benjamin Collins, $5; Lawrence Falkinburg, $5; Daniel Conover, $3; John Cranmer, $5; Samuel Perine, $2; Amos Birdsall, Jr., $3; Wm. Chandler. $1; Sarah Remsen, $10; James Collins, $10; Jarvis Hazleton, $4; David Reed, $1, Daniel W. Holt, $5; Doughty Soper, $2; Daniel Perine, $3; Solomon Soper, $5; John Birdsall, $5; Samuel Edwards, $5; Selah Oliphant. $5; Jesse Rulon, $5; Isaac P. Peckworth, $3; John Langans, $1; Edward Jennings, Jr., $1.50; Hezekiah Soper, $5; David Johnson, $1; Samuel Taylor, $2; Wm. Letts, $5; Job Cook, $1; Wm. Rulon, $1; James T. Berline, $10; David Church, $5; Charles Butler, $10; Job Edwards, $15; Thos. Lewis, $10; Thos. Edwards, Sr., $5; David Rulon, $5; Prentice Rugbee, $10; Wm. D. Oliphant, $5; J. F. Randolph, $5; Adam Myers, $5; Tunis Bodine, $10; Moses Headley, $5; John Camburn, $3; Timothy Candee, $2; Ezekiel Smith, $5; Michael Inman, $3; Joshua Rinear, $3; James Rinear, $5; John Parker, $5; Jonathan Oliphant, $3; Jeremiah Predmore, $2; Matthew Miller, $2; Gabriel Mills, $10; John Solsburg, $1; Ephraim Predmore, $10; Richard Ridgway, $5; James Edwards, $5; George Edwards, $5; James Mills, $5; Alex. Duncan, $5; Benjamin Oliphant, $5; John Rinear, $1; David Swain. $1; Jesse Penn, $3; Samuel and John Corlies, $4; Thomas, M. Cook, $2; Zalman Church, $3; Samuel Birdsall, $5; James Giberson, $3; Noah Edwards, $1. Total, $408.50.
A certificate of incorporation of the Methodist Episcopal church at Potter's Creek (now Bayville) recorded at Toms River, is dated January 6, 1855, and names as trustees Samuel T. Rogers, Reuben Tilton, Caleb Grant, William Jeffrey and Moses R. Anderson.
The certificate of incorporation of the "Trinity M. E. Church of Bayville," filed September 20, 1872, states that at a meeting held May 9, 1872, the following persons were elected trustees: Samuel R. Bunnell, Thomas Harvey, Richard Phillips, William Jeffrey, Barzillai B. Anderson.
The corner stone of the Bayville M. E church was laid September 9, 1873, and the church was dedicated June 20, 1880, Rev. L. Vansant officiating in the ceremonies.
At a meeting of Methodist Protestants of which Rev. Lewis L. Neal was chairman, held October 23, 1855, the following persons were elected trustees: Clark Newman, Ezekiel Lewis, Benj. S. Lewis, Benajah Everingham, Benjamin Pearce.
This Bethel Meeting House was the old Dover Chapel.
This church, on what was termed the Atlantic circuit, at a meeting held October 11, 1855, elected the following trustees: Isaac Osborne, John M. Brown, John C. Curtis, Joseph S. Wardell, Edward Cook. The certificate of incorporation was recorded January 13, 1857.
Old Dover Chapel was built about 1829 as a church free to all denominations. It was used mainly by the Methodist Episcopal Society and next by the Protestant Methodists.
The Quaker meetinghouse at Barnegat, was originally built at least as early as 1770, as the deed for the land on which it is situated is dated June 11, 1770, and it speaks of the meetinghouse as then built.
The deed was from Timothy Ridgway and Levi Cranmer, of Stafford township, Monmouth county, to Stephen Burdsall and Job Ridgway, son of said Timothy, of the same place, and Daniel Shourds and Joseph Gauntt, of Little Egg Harbor, in Burlington county, consideration money twenty shillings. The tract is thus described:
One piece or parcel of land containing one acre and half quarter, lying at Barnegat, in the township of Stafford, in the county of Monmouth, it being part of a tract of five hundred acres that the said Ridgway and Cranmer purchased of Oliver Delaney and Henry Cuyler, Jr.. by one indenture of bargain and sale under their hands and seals, dated the ninth day of September, 1759.
The grantees above named deeded the lot, the same date, to "The people of God called Quakers, belonging to the monthly meeting held at Little Egg Harbor, in Burlington county."
The first named deed was proved before Silas Crane, Judge, July 17, 1813, and recorded at Freehold, Book W. p. 364, July 22, 1813.
The last named deed was proved before Judge Silas Crane, July 22, 1813, and is recorded at Freehold, Book W, p. 365. The witnesses to the first deed were Richard Ridgway and Levi Cranmer, Jr.
Before the meetinghouse at Barnegat was built, Quaker preachers travelled along shore, and the first place in what is now Ocean county where they held meetings, was at West Creek.
John Fothergill, Jane Haskens, Abigail Bowles, John Woolman, Peter Andrews, Benjamin Jones, Patience Brayton, Job Scott, Elizabeth Collins, and other noted preachers travelled and held meetings "through the deserts, from Chesterfield, in Burlington county, to Little Egg Harbor, extending the love of truth to the poor people thereaway," during a period extending from 1722 to 1765.
On September 15, 1785, Job Scott preached at Barnegat, and says: "I had a very laborious meeting at Barnegat, though a few exercised friends were present."
A lot was presented to the Catholics of Manchester by William Torrey, Esq., and work was commenced in building the church about October, 1870. Father Delaney received fourteen members May 3, 1874. In 1876, Father Donelly held services here the first Monday in each month.
The certificate of incorporation, filed January 18, 1878, named as trustees Rt. Rev. Michael A. Corrigan, Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey; Very Rev. Geo. H. Doane, Vicar-General of same diocese; The Very Rev. Stanislaus Damelow, pastor, and William McLaughlin and Patrick McElhenney, lay members.
The corner stone of the M. E. Church at this place was laid June 24, 1869, Revs. E. H. Stokes, W. W. Moffett, P. C. Johnson, W. F. Morris, and J. Wagg officiating. General John S. Schultze was President of the Board of Trustees. The church was completed November 23,1870.
In 1841, says Rev. I. G. Symmes, a house of worship was erected at Mancheser and dedicated in November of the same year, Rev. Dr. Samuel H. Cox officiating. The church was organized in the Spring of the next year by the Presbytery of Brooklyn, New School. The succeeding Spring, 1841, Mr. William E. Schenck, subsequently of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, was called. Then occurred what is believed to have been the first fraternal correspondence between the Old and New School bodies, between the Presbytery of Brooklyn, and the Presbytery of New Brunswick; and the Church of Manchester was transferred by the former to the latter Presbytery, and Mr. Schenck was ordained and installed first pastor. A large committee, headed by Dr. Benjamin Bice, came down to install him, and the occasion was a memorable one in that part of the county.
Mr. Schenck left in two years, and the church passed through two more brief pastorates before 1851. Then came a period of great depression in business and the village was nearly depopulated for ten years. Regular services and Sabbath school, however, were maintained by Elder William Torrey, with occasional ministerial help, until August, 1864, when a regular pastor was secured. Then Revs. Messrs. Charles D. Nott, James Petrie and E. M. Kellogg came in rapid succession, remaining each but a short time. The brief ministry of Dr. Schenck was greatly blessed. In 1877 the membership was fifty-six.
The following is a list of the pastors of the Manchester Presbyterian church which was organized March 13, 1842:
Rev. William E. Schenck. D. D., from February 28, 1843, to May 14, 1845.
Rev. Morse Rowell, Dec. 9, 1845, to April 1, 1848.
Rev. Charles D. Knott, August 11, 1864, to August 24, 1865.
Rev. James Petrie, November 15, 1866, to March 12, 1872.
Rev. E. M. Kellogg, July 24, 1873, to October 22, 1874.
Rev. B. T. Phillips May 9, 1876-- who still (1886) remains pastor.
At a meeting of the members and friends of the Presbyterian church at Manchester, held Dec. 3, 1880, the following trustees were elected: Wm. T. Wortzel, Chas. L. Rogers, John N. Dettrell, Wm. R. Schultze, James M. Quinby, Mark Souden, John S. Schultze.
Certificate filed Feb. 5, 1881.
The historical sketch of Monmouth Presbytery, by Rev. Joseph G. Symmes, published 1877, in speaking of the Whiting Church, says:
"At present Rev. George W. Cottrell is acting as stated supply, and he has under his care a tract eighteen miles long and fourteen miles wide. The population is scattered, concentrated for the most part at four railroad points - Whiting, Wheatland, Woodmansie and Shamony. There are sixteen members in the new church."
The above historical sketch says the church was organized in 1875, which is probably a typographical error, as it was organized the previous year.
The certificate of incorporation, filed October 15, 1875, named as trustees, Geo. W. Cottrell, W. H. Wright, and B. F. Errington.
The Union Presbyterian Society was organized at Whiting on the evening of August 5, 1874, with N. R. Todd, of Shamony, and W. R. Wright, of Whiting, as Ruling Elders. A commission of the Monmouth Presbytery, consisting of the Rev. Messrs. Dashiel, Van Dyke and Everett had held two days' services at Whiting and adjacent places. This society, it was said, was the immediate result of the labors of Martin Kellogg, a student of Princeton Seminary. During the following year a good church edifice was built at Whiting, which was dedicated September 15, 1876.
This church was built about 1866, according to Rev. (G. W. Simpson, who was at one time its pastor.
In an article published in the New Jersey Courier, May 25, 1881, Mrs. Leah Blackman says: "Between fifty and sixty years ago there was a Methodist Church built at West Creek, and the meetings in the old schoolhouse were given up. A few years ago another Methodist Church was erected at West Creek, and the old church was sold to the Baptists, who now have a society there."
The new Methodist Episcopal Church at West Creek was dedicated December 17, 1868, daring the pastorate of Rev. W. S. McCowan.
The most prominent member of the society at this place for very many years was the late Hon. Joel Haywood, who, as a local minister, was well and favorably known throughout the lower part of the county.
A debt of $1,200 which the West Creek M. E. Church owed, was entirely paid off about the beginning of 1883, while Rev. E. T. Gwynn was pastor. Of the amount, the late Esquire John Willets gave $400.
The corner-stone of a M. E. Church at this place was laid June 12, 1876, Revs. Graw, Sykes, Simpson and Parker officiating.
About 1877 a tract of about seven hundred acres, lying about half-way between Barnegat and Mannahawkin, and a little west of the main shore road, was bought by Rev. Messrs. R. S. Arndt, H. D. Opdyke, Keifer, Wright, Middleton, C. E. Little and D. Habrom, and divided into one hundred acres for each owner, which they commenced clearing up and improving. The land proved productive, and on it good crops of corn, grain and fruits of different kinds were raised. Good dwellings and outbuildings were erected. The owners were members of the New Jersey M. E. Conference, and they put their places under care of hired employees or tenants, occasionally visiting the place for rest and recuperation.
The certificate of incorporation of this Division was dated June 15, 1850, and signed by Isaiah Cranmer, W. P., and Isaac P. Peckworth, R. S.
The corner-stone of the M. E. Church at Cedar Run, near Mannahawkin, was laid November 20, 1874, Revs. Ballard, Graw, Parker and Clark assisting. The church was dedicated December 15, 1880.
The name of Unionville was given to Cedar Run about a dozen years ago.
The M. E. Church at Cedar Grove, in Stafford township, near Job Corlies' residence, was dedicated December 24, 1874. The certificate of incorporation, filed February 4, 1875, named the following trustees: Reuben C. Corlies, John Bowers, Job M. Corlies, John G. Corlies, Joshua M. Corlies, Samuel Stackhouse, Jr., William Cranmer.
An effort was made about 1880 to change the name of Cedar Grove to Corlisville.
The early history of this church is given in the chapter relating to ancient churches in the county. A certificate of incorporation of this church was filed at Toms River, May 18, 1857, which states that the following trustees were elected April 27, 1857: Jarvis H. Brown, Amos B. Brown, John B. Crane, Jr., Stacey Gennings and Joseph R. Oliphant.
The church was rebuilt and dedicated July 10, 1867, when Rev. Mr. Smith, of Bloomfield, N. J., preached the dedicatory sermon, Rev. Joseph Perry, of Philadelphia; Rev. Mr. Connolly, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Rev. Edwin S. Browe, the pastor, assisting in the services. The cost of rebuilding, including furnishing, was about $2,776. A balance of $600, due dedication day, was all raised on that day, and the church thus cleared from debt. The whole amount, except $200, was raised in the vicinity.
The centennial of the organization of the Baptist Society here was celebrated August 25, 1870, on which occasion, among the speakers, was Rev. Daniel Kelsey, who had been a former pastor for nine years, and also a teacher, but had been away about twenty-two years. He was accompanied by his two sons, born in the village, one of whom was also a Baptist minister.
At a meeting held September 5, 1876, Charles A. Mott, moderator; Jarvis H. Brown, clerk; the following trustees were elected, viz : Joseph R, Oliphant, Josiah B. Cramner, Samuel G. Peckworth, Edward Hazleton, Jarvis H. Brown.
Rev. C. A. Mott preached his farewell sermon the last Sunday in July, 1878, after which he removed to Vineland.
Rev. E. L. Stager became pastor February, 1880, and died April 13, 1882, aged 35 years.
A parsonage was erected in 1882. Rev. J. T. Bender began preaching about January, 1883. Rev. W. H. Eldredge was pastor January, 1884.
The trustees of Mannahawkin M. E. Church named March 12, 1803 (Book N, page 630, Freehold records), were Benjamin Seaman, Samuel Bennett, Edward Lambson, Benjamin Randolph, Henry Pearson, Thomas Randolph, Nathan (Crane?) Levi Camburn and William Randolph. The deed for church lot to them from Reuben Randolph on that date, gave bounds thus:
Begins five feet from west end of school house, and runs -
S. 88 W. 1 chain 75 links.
S. 2 E. 1 " 50 "
N. 88 E. 1 " 75 "
N. 2 W. 1 " 50 "
Containing one-quarter acre more or less. Consideration, ten dollars. Witnesses, David Bartine, Stacy Watkinson.
The witness, David Bartine, was probably the noted Methodist minister of that name.
The corner-stone of a new edifice for the society was laid August 7, 1872, and the church dedicated August 6, 1874. In the Summer and Fall of 1883 the entire upper story of the building was taken down and reconstructed, and the edifice raised ten feet. In January, 1884, the reconstructed church was dedicated, Bishop Harris, Rev. Dr. Hanlon and the pastor, Rev. W. E. Perry, officiating.
This is a village situated in Brick township, about one mile west of the Manasquan River, and four and a half from the Atlantic. The population is about three hundred, mostly employed in farming. There is a Methodist Church; a public school, with seventy pupils; two saw-mills, one steam and one water; and two brickyards. Its chief attractions are the fertility of the soil and the handsome farms by which it is surrounded, its fine elevated situation near the banks of the beautiful Manasquan, and its wholesome air.
The M. E. Church at this place was dedicated January 30, 1876, Revs. Craw and Stokes officiating.
A post-office was established at Herbertsville in August, 1884.
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 a delegate, and the society had thirty-eight members. In 1807 Samuel Haven was again a delegate, and the church reported forty-five members.
The Orient Baptist Church was built in 1857, at a cost of $1,500. Its size was 26 by 35 feet.
The certificate of incorporation of the First Baptist Church at Kettle Creek, in Brick township, recorded May 8, 1855, states that the following trustees were elected at a meeting held January 29, 1855: Cornelius Strickland, Peter W. Havens, Isaac Osborn, Lewis Johnson, William Dowdney.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Bethel (Lakewood charge) had dedicatory services November 30 and December 1, 1867. Rev. E. H. Stokes, the pastor, Rev. S. H. Asay and others participated.
The trustees of this church, named in the certificate of incorporation March 14, 1854, were David C. Woolley, William M. Woolley, John C. Wardell, B. H. Fielder, William Clayton, William Downey, Thomas Tilton.
At a meeting held July 19, 1873, five trustees were elected. The proceedings were signed by Miles McKelvey, President; Cornelius Hawkins, Secretary; and Rev. E. B. Lake, Witness, but trustees' names are not given in the certificate, which was filed July 21, 1873.
At a meeting of friends of this society, of which Barton Twiford was chairman in 1853, the following persons were elected trustees: John C. Curtis, John M. Reynolds and William L. Chadwick. The certificate was filed February 19, 1853. Another certificate of incorporation was dated October 24, 1870, which states that at a meeting held September IS, 1870, the following persons were elected trustees: Thompson B. Pearce, William H. Bennetts, James Loveland, William P. Stout, William B. Pearce. A new church was dedicated August 13, 1876.
This church was completed in February, 1883, and first services held the 11th of the same month. The society was incorporated Nov. 11, 1882, and the corporators were Charles E. Knox, Julius Foster, Frederick M. Trask, Richard C. Marley and A. V. D. Schenck. Rev. Samuel Y. Lum was pastor 1886-7.
In July, 1887, the Borough Hall was tendered to the Baptists, by the Mayor, for religious purposes. These were conducted by Rev. Mr. Wilkinson.
The Protestant Episcopal Church at Point Pleasant, "St. Mary by the Sea," was contracted for April 24, 1880, and July 4th the building was finished and services held in it. Services were conducted by Rev. Dr. Hills. The church was dedicated August 4, 1881, by Bishop Scarborough.