The History of Memorial United Methodist Church
Neptune City, New Jersey

1913-2001

The Cornerstone Is Laid

What was believed to be the first church to be dedicated to the soldiers and sailors who fought in World War I would be erected in Neptune City and would be named the "Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church of Neptune City."

The building committee included Rev. Frank Van Hise (chairman), Harry Estell, John Nolan, Dr. F.C. Culler, Mrs. William Schmid, Mrs. F.E. Bennett and Mrs. Margaret Beutell. Work started on July 5, 1921; and on July 10, 1921, at 2:30 P.M., Bishop Ernest G. Richardson of Atlanta, Georgia, placed the cornerstone of our new church. The invocation was offered by District Superintendent T.D. Bills of Ocean Grove, while Evangelist E.L. Hyde, leader of the Holiness Meeting during the Ocean Grove summer season, took charge of the offering which amounted to $1,300. The pastor, Rev. H.J. Bugg of Hamilton, and ex-mayor John Thompson of Avon also participated, giving brief addresses.

It was expected that the dedication of the new church, which was of frame construction and erected at a cost of between $6,000 and $7,000 would take place in September 1921. It was thought quite possible that the church would be dedicated free from all indebtedness if the present financial outlook became a reality. As had been hoped, in September of 1921our church was dedicated during appropriate exercises at which Bishop Joseph F. Berry of the Philadelphia area took charge; and the building, with a final cost of $8.000, was dedicated practically free of debt.

The memorial windows and tablet of the soldiers and sailors who served in World War I were unveiled on Sunday afternoon, October 2, 1921, with District Superintendent J.D. Bills of Ocean Grove preaching the sermon. That date was also the beginning of a two-week series of evangelistic services by Rev. H.J. Bugg of Hamilton, under the direction of Rev. F.A. DeMaris, leader of the local group of churches.

In March 1923, Rev. Simeon N. Magee became the pastor and in 1924, the Rev. Edward M. Munyon. The church  separated from Hamilton in 1925 and the Rev. Ira J.B. Hill was appointed to Neptune City as a single charge.

A house was rented for the pastor and plans were begun for a parsonage. The lot on the southeast corner of Sylvania Avenue and Lipman Place was purchased for $1,800 for that purpose. On April 5, 1927, $800 was still owed on the lot adjoining the church, so the members conducted a strenuous door-to-door campaign in an effort to clear that debt. Those participating included Mayor John Nolan, Charles A. Blodgett, F. Parkin, J.W. Bodine, J. Milligan, W.L. Dolt, J. Mackie and W.W. Dean. As soon as the lot was free from debt, the church board had plans drawn for a new church - in six years of its existence the church already outgrown its accommodations. The membership was then 51; and in Rev. Hill's record he stated that "the Church is too crowded in our Sunday School, with a record attendance of 120. We are at our wits end what to do with the children and hesitate to invite others to come for lack of space."

On June 2, 1928, Rev. James F. Boughton, the new pastor, announced a campaign to raise $20,000 for a new church for our members. Plans for the new church were already prepared by Harry Summers of Avon and Frank Herbert of Neptune City, and excavation work was begun at once, not waiting for the raising of the funds. The work was being done by members of the church.

Built in Spanish mission style and stuccoed, the new church incorporated the original church which was altered to harmonize with the new style of architecture. The main auditorium of the church was to be used for regular services and could seat 300. The old church auditorium would be made into a primary department for the Sunday school and would accommodate 100 persons. Folding doors would permit the two auditoriums to be combined into one chamber for unusually large gatherings.

The new church basement, which measured 40 by 50 feet, was to be used for Sunday school classes, Boy Scout meetings, church suppers and other social activities. A portion of the old church would be used as a kitchen and furnace room.

Rev. Boughton commented:

There is only one church, ours, in Neptune City. The people are interested in the church and plan to make it a big community church, and all people and denominations are invited to attend the services. The church will do much to consolidate the social and young people's life in the Boro. A community is divided into almost as many parts as there are churches. We can unify the community life here because the church is open to all young people's organizations.

Our new church was dedicated on March 3, 1929, at three services. The formal dedication service was conducted by Bishop E.G. Richardson at 11 A.M. He told the congregation that "Jesus is alive today and is present wherever two or more of his apostles gather in His name; but don't think that I mean that when you leave this church today that you leave Him behind, for He is present everywhere." He further declared "that if one third of the 99 members of the congregation listed on the program for dedication day were firm in their belief, in the theme of his address, that the church would eventually make a name for itself, that would be known far beyond the confines of the four walls of the new and beautiful structure."

There was an afternoon service at 3 P.M., conducted by Dr. F.A. DeMaris, and an evening service at 7:30 P.M., conducted by Dr. Herbert J. Belting, the district superintendent.