The Penn's Grove record., 1896-02-28
atwood, Of Tho pfiIad.lobia Conference

' -NcW Jersey SS
lett the little society of ~worshipers IN the
Cove School House in 1874 and for W years
preached the gospel at many places IN SCUM
Jersey third daughter is the widow OF
the late Judge VIM. Sumnerili, and re-
mains a constant worshiper with the church,
her father helped organize. VIM 5. Van
neman because an bonored and useful ply
sician and for many years was one OF the
Official members of this church.
In ls4j and 1915 Reys. Thos. Steward
and $. Y. Monroe were pastors and were so
successful, that the little school house could
no longer accommodate the people. A ON
mlttee consisting of VIM. Sack, Daniel
Nanneman, James Denny, David Smith
and Joseph Guest were appointed to secure
a suitable lot upon which to build a church.
ms site was chosen, an acre OF ground
purchased of John NJ. Smith. The trustees
assumed the name Of Emmanuel Nj. Z.
church, Of PENIS Grove, and filed their
certificate of Incorporation. Plans were
hS lVl IL Dfick uuiiN'S'
with end and side galleries. The contract
was given out to the lowest bidders on Feb.
End, 1915. James d. sSimpkins received
the contract fol the carpenter work n
Clement A. Borden the mason work. The
building was completed and dedicated In
February 1916. The dedicatory sermon
was preached by Rev. W. P. Corbitt, n
Of the most wonderful preachers Of the CEN
tury' Rev. A. X Street preached in the
evening from the words, ''Thou art Peter,
and upon this rock l will build my church"
The entire cost Of the building was about
S920O.
Revs. Joseph Atwood and John S. Beegle
became the first pastors of the new church.
The two Sunday Schools were brought to-
gether in the new church and Augustus
Cam elected Superintendent. He has been
succeeded in this office of John Daniels ia
cob Stanton, J. X. Louderback, S. r. Leap,
J. II. Clark, Jacob Cable, ]. r. Burnett,
NJ. D., W. II. Bilderbaek, VIM. Shape, G.
A. Robbins, L. P. Barnart, Jonathan Simp-
kins, ]. d. Torton, Rev. VIM Margerum,
VIM. Z. Denny, C. w. Cable, VIM. A.
Summerill and II. Z. Crompton.
1s47-4S Revs. milford Day and James
Long, served as pastors on the circuit. At
this time the peace and harmony of the
church was greatly disturbed by certain en-
vious, jealous and fault finding persons.
The prosperity of the church was checked,
and many who had been faithful fell away.
In 1849 Revs. A. X. Street and Joseph
Gaskill were appointed to the circuit. This
proved to be the last year that the church
was connected with the Swedesbovo cir
cult.
The following spring Pennsy lie and
PENIS Grove were constituted a charge and
known as PENIS Neck. Rev. George
Kitchens was the first pastor. The parscn-
age was located at Pennsyille. The society
now enjoyed the privilege of hearing the
gospel every Sabbath afternoon and felt the
influence of o closer relation to their pastor.
A revival crowned the faithful labors of
pastor and people. Among the converts at
that time was Charles Hartranft, who be-
came a minister of great power. His eff
cient services carried him to some of the
leading churches in the Conference and his
early death was a loss to the Methodism Of
South jersey.
Rev. David Graves served the charge in
1929. He took radical ground and main
tanned it on the temperance question. lie
fearlessly exposed the iniquity ofthe license
system and of course made enemies among
the conservatives. His position and un-
swerving loyalty to his convictions won for
him the respect and affection of many
whom he most violently opposed.
He was succeeded in 1654-55 by Rev.
Bartholomew Weed who inaugurated a
series of camp meetings, that were destined
to have a moulding influence upon many
lives. For 10 years Methodists from South
jersey, Philadelphia and Delaware, flockcd
Sse meetings. Not only were many
converted, but believers were filed
III, the Holy Ghost and entered upon a
iore devoted and spiritual life. From one
of these camp meetings [ls66l Rev. Alfred
Goodman wrote to his wife. II am just
toutside of Heaven. PENIS Grove is as
usual the very vestibule of Paradise. The
meetings always good were never more
glorious than now. A large number oftents
are on the ground. Crowds of Preachers,
many of these who are SO dear to Jesus.
Bros Belden, Inskip and wife, After one
meetings he wrote again. Sat
III IS Grove the Divine influence seemed
irresistible as the result of the last two SER
vices it was estimated that 100 conversions
occurred" These great meetings were held
under the auspices of this church.
In 1867 Rev. II. B. Beegle enjoyed a
~prosperoul astorate and in 1868, c. s..
Downs, w was succeeded the following
year by !. Levi Herr.
1860 arks another epoch in our history.
Emmanuel became a station, with Q, resi-
dent pastor and Geo. Kitchens, is again
called to the p~astorate. The town had
grown from a few scattering houses to an
influential village and the responsibilities
OF the church had increased. But with an
influential membership of 220 persons and a
resident pastor. She addressed herself to
her mission. At this period the member