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

1913-2001

The year 1946 also saw the installation of the long-awaited Hammond organ, a gift from Mrs. Richard Keim in memory of her brothers, James A. Kemper and George W. Kemper, lost in World War II. The new organ was dedicated in February 1947 with an organ recital.

In 1947 the emphasis of study was on the meaning of stewardship. The results could be counted not only in dollars and members but also in the lives of the people. Hints of what happened in their lives can be seen in the year's work. First of all, 42 new members were added to the church. Many improvements were added to the church property. The new oil burner and heading system alterations solved the heating problem of many years standing. The exterior of the church was painted and new shrubbery was placed in front of the church.

The Women's Society gained ten new members that same year and added $400 to the parsonage building fund. The church school continued to advance, gaining new members and increased attendance. Eight teachers and officers attended the Asbury Park District Council. The vacation Bible school was sponsored for two weeks by our own church and 75 of our young people attended. Forty dollars was given toward the support of a boy in India.

During the same period, Boy Scout Troop #72 was under the leadership of Harvey Lungren; the Cub Scouts were led by Frank Newby; and the Girl Scouts were led by Miss Marie Ayers - all scouting was sponsored by our church. And we had an abundance of musical talent - Mrs. Walter Amey directed the vesper choir; Mrs. James Robinson led the altar choir which had grown and improved; and the junior choir led by Mrs. Fred C. Beyer, Sr., was larger and better than ever.

On October 12, 1947, a ground-breaking ceremony took place for the building of a new parsonage at Lipman Place and West Sylvania Avenue across from our church. The building was constructed at a cost of $12,783.17. There was a mortgage of $4,000. The erection of the structure and its enclosing was done by Robert C. Trimble for the approximate cost of $7,500, and the remainder of the work was accomplished by volunteer skilled labor. From the furring of the walls, through the lathing, plastering, plumbing, heating, wiring, woodwork and painting, these volunteers freely gave their evenings and Saturdays to complete the task. The coffee break provided by the Women's Society was the Saturday highlight, turning the project into a time of good fellowship. A free turkey dinner was served to the workmen by the Women's Society on June 16, 1948. Sixty-eight men and boys attended the dinner. Thousands of dollars were saved by their labor, but even more valuable was the spirit of cooperation and service manifested.

At the completion of the parsonage there was a debt of about $1,300, besides the $4,000 five-year mortgage. The regular payment of $50 per month on the debt, in addition to the $72 monthly mortgage payment, required considerable effort.

On May 27, 1948, Rev. Carlton W. Bodine and his wife moved from 56 Evergeen Avenue into the new parsonage. The formal consecration service was held on Sunday, July 25, 1948 with Mrs. Jack Cramer and Mrs. Virgil Broder as special soloists for the service.