Evening journal., 1898-11-19
GREAT DAY FOR METHODISTS
tt6TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED
IN SALEM COUNTY.
RECORDS WHICH TRACE THE
BIRTH OF AETHODISM IN
LOWER PENNls NECK BACK TO
NOVEMBER, 1882.

BlNltt Ot' MElttODlSM IN
LOWER PENNs NECK BACK TO
NOVEMBER, 1882.
Pennsville. Nov. 19.-Yesterday
marked the 116th anniversary OF the
birth OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Lower Penn's Neck, and the
occasion was made memorable by a
special program Of services held in the
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Churcn OF
this place, of which Rev. John Goorley
is the pastor.
The anniversary celebration opened
with a sunrise prayer meeting, attend
ed by many of the aged members OF
the congregation. The morning SER
mon was preached by Rev. Patrick j.
Kain, Of the Philadelphia Conference
The anniversary love-feast was con-
Quoted by Rev. Samuel Hudson, one OF
the veteran ministers of the New Jer-
sey Conference. The afternoon praise
service was followed by a sermon by
Rev. A. Lawrence, OF Trenton. The
Epworth League conducted the early
evening service, and Rev. S. McBurney,
Of Philadelphia, preached the closing
sermon.
The traces OF the early Methodist
Church here are still distinct, from rec
ords and papers the formation Of a
Methodist congregation dates back to
November Of 1882. The first Metho-
dist minister Of which there appears
lany record was Benjamin Abbott II.
labored here when the Methodist,
spirit was struggling for its very ex-
ietence
AT that time the handful Of faithful
constituted circuit charge, and the
advent of the preacher among them
once a week or once a month, as the
occasion might warrant, was set apart
as a day of conservation and worship
and the service was held at an hour &c
suit the convenience Of pastor and poo
pie.
In the year 1856, after long waiting
the small congregation saw the way
clear to erect a sanctuary, OF more spe
cifcally speaking, a log church, as f
was known in after years. For perio,
ot about a quarter of a century thi
crude one-story structure of unprsten
= tious architecture served as the meet
ing place Of the pioneers, and from j
was formed the nucleus of what I
now fourishing church.
In 1911 the little log church wa
deemed unfit and inadequate for tn
needs OF the community, and throug
the generous subscriptions OF tn
sturdy farmers who formed the mai
. portion Of the congregation sufficien
=, funds were secured. 10 warrant the ereC
4 ton OF a more eommodious edifce.
/, Their efforts eliminated in tn
. dedication Of plain but roomy fran
= church, which for thirty years stood a
the spiritual resting place Of CROWN
Methodism.
In 1912 the church was built bein
quite an improvement over the formt
one, but the congregation was destine
: to outgrow it also, and in 1886 I'll
present pretty edifce supplanted th
old church. The present church is va
ued at $4,000. and has a parsonae
annexed, valued at $1,000, both beir
: clear Of any Indebtedness.
= The pastor. Rev. John Goorley,
closing his second year here, and II
church has fourlshed under his spiritu'
ministrations.
Among the early ministers laborir
at the church were Revs. Geori
Kitchens, David Graves, B. Wee
- Henry b. Beegle. Charles S. Down
Levi Herr, William Margerum, Levi
Rhoads, Joseph c. Summerill, WI
Z" liam e. Boyle, Samuel NJ. Hudso
- Samuel c. Chattin, Garner II. Tulli
" Hamilton S. Norris, Jacob T. Pric
Calvin c. Eastbaclz, Edwin J. Lippil
cott, William A. Allen, DickersC
Moore, Godfrey Z. Hancock, George
u Senser and John II. Hutchinson.
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