Bridgeton pioneer., 1886-03-11

The Commerce street MetnOdlSJ EplS-
copal church, in which the tiftieth ses-
sion of the New Jersey Conference be-
gins its sittings to-day, is the mother
church from which several other organi-
zations have sprung. and the pioneer
of Methodism in Bridgeton. Its his
tory is shining record of good work
done in the cause of the Master. ex
tending over period Of eighty years.
AS early as the year 1880 there were
some converts to Methodism at Port
Elizabeth and it's vicinity, in Cumbar-
land County, where Mrs Elizabeth
Bodley had donated ground on which
the first Methodist church building
was erected. In Fairfield ten years
later, Gin the year 1900 } Michael Swing,
very Jealous Christian man, who had
enigrated from Pittsgrove, Salem Co.,
began holding meetings in private
houses, and finally at his own expense
built the church near New England
town cross roads, which was afterwards
known as Swings Westinghouse.
Fairfield was then in what was termed
the Salem Circuit, and it is related that
in the year 1900, two Methodist preach
ers travelled the Circuit, by name R.
Swain and r. Lyon. On one occasion
the latter announced that he would
preach at meeting in Fairfield, and
that ION that day four weeks he would
be there, preach, prdy, cork a miracle,
and haue q reuiraln Mr. Swing disap-
proved of these remarks, and wrote to
Swain to try and meet Lyon at Fair
field, and keep him in order. Both
preachers appeared at the appointed
time. There ives a great crowd pres
ent, many of whom had come out of
curiosity. Swain preached, after which
Lyon arose and said Lyon is here,
and he will yet preach; the miracle is
there" and as he said this, he pointed
with his hand toward the Presbyterian
minister who was present with num-
Der of his followers, and added: who
ever saw the Presbyterian minister
and his flock here before? Now, ]
shall preach, and the Lord will do the
rest; we shall see the revival" He
preached a sermon of great power, and
a revival followed, during which many
persons We're added to the church.
Methodism spread into various parts
of the county, but it did not take firm
root in Bridgeton until the year 1904,
when John Walker and John P. Dur
bin came and preached every two or
four weeks. During that year Mr.
Walker formed class of fourteen
members, and appointed VIM. Brooks,
leader. Brooks was a leading business
man, and carried On tannery at the
Southeast corner of Broad and Attain
tic streets. The class met at his resi-
dence every week, but the first Metho-
dist society formed in Bridgeton owes
it's origin largely to the labors of John
Murphy, and his son-in-law, Michael
Swing. Mr.. Murphy had accompanied
Swing to New Englandtown, and aided
| III tlle III l. eoii'iSi>t5
to which reference has been made.
According to the custom which pre-
vailed in those days Messrs. Murphy
and Swing frequently made visits to
Bridgeton and vicinity and held meet
ings at private houses. Both were
| licensed preachers, and, with the ex-
ception of Bishop Asbury, who preach
ed in Bridgeton in the Court House in
1888, they were the first Methodist
ministers who had preached and held
religious services in this place.
Rev. Jonathan Brooks, was, it is be-
lieved, one of the fourteen members OF
the original society, but the list having
disappeared the names of those identi-
fed with this class cannot be accurately
given However, Jonathan Brooks, if
not a member, was one OF the earliest
converts to Methodism in Bridgeton.
He was very pious man, earnest and
effective in his labors, but had great