It is probable that the pioneers of Methodism visited our county within a very few years after the principles of the society were first proclaimed in America, and that occasionally some preacher would hold forth in one of the free churches, in school houses or in private houses, possibly as early as 1774. Rev. William Watters, the first itinerant of American birth, was stationed in our State in 1774, and it is possible that he and the noted Capt. Thomas Webb, of Pemberton, (then New Mills,) may have visited this section. That zealous, self-sacrificing minister of the Gospel, Rev. Benjamin Abbott, is the first preacher who speaks positively of visiting this vicinity, though before his visit which was in 1778, it is probable that some if not all the following named, may have preached here, viz: Capt. Thomas Webb, Revs. Philip Gatch, Caleb B. Pedicord, Wm. Watters, John King, Daniel Ruff and Wm. Duke. From that time up to the year 1800, the names of preachers assigned to this part of the State is given in the "History of Methodism in New Jersey." During the first thirty years of the present century, among the most noted preachers in this section were Revs. Sylvester and Robert Hutchinson, Ezekiel Cooper, Charles Pitman and Geo. A. Raybold. Rev. William Watters, above mentioned as the first itinerant of American birth, who was located in our State in 1774, published in 1807 an account of his labors here and elsewhere.
The first Methodist Episcopal Church at Toms River was built in 1828, and dedicated in the month of November of that year. Revs. B. Weed and J. McLaurin were the preachers on the circuit, which was then a part of Pemberton circuit. The building was 24 by 30 feet, with one aisle and open back seats. It was never painted and had but one coat of plaster. It cost $740.78. It was free for anybody of orthodox Christians to worship in, when not occupied by the Methodists. The building was situated on Hooper Avenue, in the graveyard, opposite the present location of the church. After thirty years of service as a house of worship, it was moved to the north-west corner of Hooper Avenue and Water street, where it now stands, and is occupied as a dwelling.