Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1890-05-01
1865--1S9O.
ANNlVERsA AIRY OF CENTRAL WI.
II. CHURCH..
Interesting Exercises at the
Morning and Evening

AiiC bWOlUJ ULl VA tAlO
organization of Central M. E. Church
and Sunday School, was held Sun
day in the church on Bank street. H.
teresting services took place all day.
In the morning there was large con-
gregation. In the pulpit sat Rev.
John Handley, D. Ed. Smith, Geo. W.
MCGOWAN, DIR. o. E. Peck and G. w.
Shoemaker. George Lawrence was to
have been present, but illness pre-
vented.
The usual opening exercises were
held. Rev. John Handley wished just
three verses of scripture read as his re-
marks.
Mrs. s. T. Peck sang "One Hundred
Years to Come" and D. Edward
Smith read the history of the church.
1t was in the early part of 1864 when
the agitation for a third Methodist
church was started, but it was early in
1865, when seventy-seven members OF
Commerce st. M. E. Church, signified
a willingness to 60 off in a separate
body. Before the organization of the
church, forty-four other persons vol
unteered to join, and John R. Graham
had the honor of naming the new Or
ganization Central M. E. Church"
The first official board of the church
was as follows: Local Deacon, Ct. w.
Finlaw; local preacher, G. Albertson;
exhorter, G.. w. White; class leaders,
Geo. w. Finlaw, D. B. Thompson, 8.
g.. Porch, Joseph Allen, George Law
renee, M. w. Appelgate and Chas. R.
earns. D. B. Whitaker, VIM. T. Du-
Bois, D. P. Mulford, Ner Allen, s. g.
Porch, A. r. Garrison and g. R.
Bishop were elected Stewards. The
first Board of Trustees we're elected
April 10, 1865, as follows: D. B. Whita-
ker, J. r. Graham, John Cheesman, ,Jr..
Enoch Sayre, D. P. Mulford, T. g,
Compton and James Frazer.
The first meetings of the church
were held in the chapel, corner of
Bank and Washington streets, but soon
Grosscup's Hall was engaged. In Sept.
1865, the lot owned by the church
was purchased for 5000. A portion
of the lot was sold reducing the price
to $4,000. The work of building the
chapel was commenced on July 18th,
1866. The brick work was done by
Thos. Sites, the roof and wood work
by CARL & Betchner; the plastering
by Ed. White, and the seating by u.
B. s. w. G.. Whitaker. The church
was dedicated Jan. 81, 1867, and cost
$4,000.
The church has always been success
ful, and has had irteen.ministers. The
first pastor was Rev. Henry Baker, his
first sermon being preached April 2,
1865. His text was from Hebrews 18th,
18th and 14th verses. The services
were held in the chapel, corner of
Bank and Washington Sts., which
was crowded, with people standing
outside, unable to gain admission.
He remained one year. Rev. Robt.
Given served the church, one
year beginning the pastorate by
preaching from the 9th chapter of
James, 2Oth verse. Rev. g. K. Morris
preached during 1867, and 1868, while
Rev. g. H. Neal, was pastor during
1859. Rev. j. L. Roe preached two
years, and the sixth minister of the
church was Rev. G. R. Hartranft, and
he preached two years. Rev. Henry
Betting preached during 1874, 1876
and 1876, and Rev. T. H. Stockton fol-
lowed, remaining pastor one year.
He was succeeded by Rev. D. H. Shock,
who served the church three years.
Rev. H. G. Williams was the tenth
pastor of the church, remaining one
year, being followed by Rev. E. G.
Hancock, who remained during 1882,
1888 and 1884. Rev. g. s. Sykes came
to the church in 1886 and served the
church three years, and the present
pastor came to this city to fiji. the pul
pit in 1888. ga Nsle es@ th &
Early in 1889 the Quarterly Confer
ence decided the time had come for
building new church editiee, and a
committee composed as follows was
appointed: D. P. Mulford, Vim. Terrell,
D. o. Frazeur, ID. E. Smith, G. w.
Shoemaker, o. E. Peck and s. M.
Allen. The building is now in pro-
gress.
After congregational singing Geo.
w. MCGOWAN read history of the
Sunday School. He said:
AS soon as a church organization
was effected, steps were taken to form
a Sunday School. Accordingly on
Sunday, April IS, 1866, the following
persons met and pledged Themselves
to assist in whatever capacity they
should be called:-George Lawrence,
ID. Edward Smith, Stephen g. Porch