Post by Marc LeVine on Nov 8, 2006 17:52:28 GMT -5
Methodist church marks 175 years in Freehold
Congregation traces origin to 1831 in West Freehold
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
Members of the First United Methodist Church are celebrating and honoring 175 years of their religion in the Freehold area.
Congregants gathered together on Oct. 28 for a catered dinner and an evening of entertainment in honor of the many years their faith has been practiced in the area. The event was held at the First Presbyterian Church, where church officials graciously offered to host the event to accommodate the almost 200 guests who participated in the celebration.
The First United Methodist Church is on West Main Street between Manalapan and Yard avenues in Freehold.
According to the Rev. Garfield Greene, pastor, who has led First United Methodist Church members for two years, the event was a great celebration.
"This represents 175 years of ministry which has included caring for families from birth to death. It has also included reaching out into the community and welcoming people regardless of their background or ethnicity," Greene said.
Organized Methodism arose under the leadership of John Wesley, who was originally a clergyman of the Church of England, according to a booklet describing the history of the church. On May 9, 1739, Wesley secured the deeds to a plot of land in Bristol, England, for 50 pounds and that, in essence, marked the beginning of Methodism.
Methodist meetings were held in a barn in West Freehold beginning in 1831. By 1833 a board of trustees decided to construct a house of worship. A lot was purchased from Daniel Stillwell for $107 between Mount's Corner (the area near Moore's Inn, Freehold Township) and the village of Freehold. A small building measuring 35 by 40 feet was called the Freehold M.E. Church and cost $1,200 to construct.
With the coming of the Freehold and Jamesburg Agricultural Railroad, many new people came to Freehold and the congregation began to grow.
Eventually, the small church needed repairs, so officials decided to build a new house of worship and moved the congregation to Main Street in the village of Freehold, where it remains today.
The new church was completed in April 1858. Designed by architect Charles Graham, of Trenton, its original style was Romanesque and finished on the outside in imitation brown stone. It was the first building in Freehold to be lighted with gas, according to the information provided by the church.
By 1885 the church had fallen into disrepair and was remodeled. The church history states that the remodeling was done so well that upon its completion the church resembled a new building. Additions and enlargements gave the church the room it needed for its expanding congregation. Included in the remodeling was the installation of an 865-pound bronze bell from the McShane Foundry in Baltimore. The entire cost of the furniture and remodeling was $11,200.
According to the history, the church has remained basically as it was remodeled in 1885, with the exception of the addition of Wesley Hall, the education building that was added in 1959.
According to Anne Mayer, chairwoman of the 175th anniversary committee, various events and projects have been under way to honor the church and the religion itself.
Ministers who once spoke from the church pulpit on a weekly basis were asked to return and share in the celebration by taking turns as featured guest pastors during October. Earl C. Snyder, who led the church from 1967-73, C. Wesley Crossley, who was pastor from 1978-82, Edwin F. Hann III, who led church members from 1982-93, Robert E. Cosell, who was pastor in 1997, and Myra L. Bethke, who led the church from 1997 to 2004, all spoke in honor of the celebration. Johnna Wheaton, once a congregation member and now an ordained minister, was also a guest pastor.
The anniversary celebration over the last few months has included crafts and projects such as handmade quilts, sun catchers featuring the church's image, tote bags with the church's motto and special artwork, even a cookbook compiled by congregants.
Greene himself contributed to the cookbook with a recipe for "Pastor's Cabbage." He said, "nobody can cook like church people."
In addition to the cookbook, congregants have been busy working on two handmade quilts featuring "family squares."
Each family that participated in the project crafted its own square and carried its own message of celebration and thanks for the church. Drawings of sunrises and sunsets, colorful rainbows and flowers, brightly colored images of children and families, along with some intricate stitchery, were all sewn together to create a family quilt which itself, tells a story. Mayer said the two family square quilts will be displayed in Wesley Hall.
Designs for the cookbook, the tote bags and the history of the church booklet were crafted by a church member, artist Ray Ritchie. His signature design of the church bell tower also appears on a large sign in front of the historic church.
According to Mayer, church members also provided the entertainment for the celebration. She said there is a great deal of talent in the church community.
For instance, Lynne Beach provided violin music during dinner, a barbershop quartet comprised of church members Ray Ritchie, Drew Burris, Ken Budka and Larry Jamison entertained guests at the event. Guests were also treated to the voice of church member Suzanne Restivo.
The First United Methodist Church is known for its outreach community programs. According to Greene, the church has made strong efforts to integrate members of the Hispanic community into their church community. The Amistad program was created in 1996 during the pastorate of the Rev. Carole McCallum, who noticed the increasing number of Hispanic residents in the borough. Church officials studied the situation and Amistad was born.
Amistad helps children with their homework and teaches them English. It also addresses their nutritional education, focuses on advocacy and addresses the spiritual development of the children as well.
The church has also participated in Habitat for Humanity affordable housing projects, the Open Door Food Pantry and the CROP walk to fight worldwide hunger. Under the direction of Rolando Santiago, ministerial assistant, a mission trip was made to Louisiana in 2006 to help restore homes that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
Congregation traces origin to 1831 in West Freehold
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
Members of the First United Methodist Church are celebrating and honoring 175 years of their religion in the Freehold area.
Congregants gathered together on Oct. 28 for a catered dinner and an evening of entertainment in honor of the many years their faith has been practiced in the area. The event was held at the First Presbyterian Church, where church officials graciously offered to host the event to accommodate the almost 200 guests who participated in the celebration.
The First United Methodist Church is on West Main Street between Manalapan and Yard avenues in Freehold.
According to the Rev. Garfield Greene, pastor, who has led First United Methodist Church members for two years, the event was a great celebration.
"This represents 175 years of ministry which has included caring for families from birth to death. It has also included reaching out into the community and welcoming people regardless of their background or ethnicity," Greene said.
Organized Methodism arose under the leadership of John Wesley, who was originally a clergyman of the Church of England, according to a booklet describing the history of the church. On May 9, 1739, Wesley secured the deeds to a plot of land in Bristol, England, for 50 pounds and that, in essence, marked the beginning of Methodism.
Methodist meetings were held in a barn in West Freehold beginning in 1831. By 1833 a board of trustees decided to construct a house of worship. A lot was purchased from Daniel Stillwell for $107 between Mount's Corner (the area near Moore's Inn, Freehold Township) and the village of Freehold. A small building measuring 35 by 40 feet was called the Freehold M.E. Church and cost $1,200 to construct.
With the coming of the Freehold and Jamesburg Agricultural Railroad, many new people came to Freehold and the congregation began to grow.
Eventually, the small church needed repairs, so officials decided to build a new house of worship and moved the congregation to Main Street in the village of Freehold, where it remains today.
The new church was completed in April 1858. Designed by architect Charles Graham, of Trenton, its original style was Romanesque and finished on the outside in imitation brown stone. It was the first building in Freehold to be lighted with gas, according to the information provided by the church.
By 1885 the church had fallen into disrepair and was remodeled. The church history states that the remodeling was done so well that upon its completion the church resembled a new building. Additions and enlargements gave the church the room it needed for its expanding congregation. Included in the remodeling was the installation of an 865-pound bronze bell from the McShane Foundry in Baltimore. The entire cost of the furniture and remodeling was $11,200.
According to the history, the church has remained basically as it was remodeled in 1885, with the exception of the addition of Wesley Hall, the education building that was added in 1959.
According to Anne Mayer, chairwoman of the 175th anniversary committee, various events and projects have been under way to honor the church and the religion itself.
Ministers who once spoke from the church pulpit on a weekly basis were asked to return and share in the celebration by taking turns as featured guest pastors during October. Earl C. Snyder, who led the church from 1967-73, C. Wesley Crossley, who was pastor from 1978-82, Edwin F. Hann III, who led church members from 1982-93, Robert E. Cosell, who was pastor in 1997, and Myra L. Bethke, who led the church from 1997 to 2004, all spoke in honor of the celebration. Johnna Wheaton, once a congregation member and now an ordained minister, was also a guest pastor.
The anniversary celebration over the last few months has included crafts and projects such as handmade quilts, sun catchers featuring the church's image, tote bags with the church's motto and special artwork, even a cookbook compiled by congregants.
Greene himself contributed to the cookbook with a recipe for "Pastor's Cabbage." He said, "nobody can cook like church people."
In addition to the cookbook, congregants have been busy working on two handmade quilts featuring "family squares."
Each family that participated in the project crafted its own square and carried its own message of celebration and thanks for the church. Drawings of sunrises and sunsets, colorful rainbows and flowers, brightly colored images of children and families, along with some intricate stitchery, were all sewn together to create a family quilt which itself, tells a story. Mayer said the two family square quilts will be displayed in Wesley Hall.
Designs for the cookbook, the tote bags and the history of the church booklet were crafted by a church member, artist Ray Ritchie. His signature design of the church bell tower also appears on a large sign in front of the historic church.
According to Mayer, church members also provided the entertainment for the celebration. She said there is a great deal of talent in the church community.
For instance, Lynne Beach provided violin music during dinner, a barbershop quartet comprised of church members Ray Ritchie, Drew Burris, Ken Budka and Larry Jamison entertained guests at the event. Guests were also treated to the voice of church member Suzanne Restivo.
The First United Methodist Church is known for its outreach community programs. According to Greene, the church has made strong efforts to integrate members of the Hispanic community into their church community. The Amistad program was created in 1996 during the pastorate of the Rev. Carole McCallum, who noticed the increasing number of Hispanic residents in the borough. Church officials studied the situation and Amistad was born.
Amistad helps children with their homework and teaches them English. It also addresses their nutritional education, focuses on advocacy and addresses the spiritual development of the children as well.
The church has also participated in Habitat for Humanity affordable housing projects, the Open Door Food Pantry and the CROP walk to fight worldwide hunger. Under the direction of Rolando Santiago, ministerial assistant, a mission trip was made to Louisiana in 2006 to help restore homes that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina.