New-York tribune., 1903-02-07
IN OLD M T.. CHURCH.
Centennial Celebration m BeileUiLle,
". J-Orlgin of Society.

BeIleviIe. y. j. FEB. s (SpeciaD. The Wesley
Methodist Episcopal Church az this place The hrst
OF that denomination organized in the State Of
New-Jersey, is 10 celebrate its centennial early IN
April and a committee, consisting Of the pastor.
the Rev. John Ogden Winner. Edgar COeyman and
Charles G. Jones. has been appointed TO COM
plete the arrangements. part OF which rave al
ready been decided upon
Bishop Charles G. McCabe. OF Omaha. is
preach the sermon at the morning exercises and
the Rev Or. James NJ Buckley Editor OF The
Christian Advocate will speak at the evening
service Il is proposed TO aside evening for
addresses by the fcrmer pastors oc the historic
church. another for Iaymen. third for the Ep-
worth League. FOR the sunday school and
another FOR a general reception
The organization OF rhe church the outcome
OF class meetings by Metnodists in the latter part
OF the eighteenth century Miss Mary Dow
the first Methodist in the township. She mad been
ardent Episcopalian. but became converted to
MethOdism in Id. while attending a service IN
the John Street Methodist Church in New-TOri.
Miss Dow died IN 1921. and her body lies in the
ehurchyard in the OF the Old BeIIevie
church. Mary Ann Stewart. orphan. who lived
with Mrs Tyson, in BeIleVille, went 10 Elizabeth,
which at that time known Elzabethtown.
and there converted a Methodist meeting
This occurred about the same time When Miss
Dow went to Sew-YorN again. and When these two
conversions became known % the Nethodists there.
1T decided TO have regular Methodist preaching
In BeeyfIe
IhomaS AOrriUt Richard W hateGSE and Joufs
Mari were three young preachers in the John
Street Church. and IL was Mr. Morrill,
preached the hrst sermon IN BeuevlIle- II was de-
hvered in the home OF Mrs Tyson. and class OK
ten was formed. john Dow, brother of Mary
Dow. made q local preacher Ills death Oc-
Cured in 1s9S and his body Hes in the old buryins
ground OF the church
Not long after the class formed BeIIevIHs
included in a circuit extending frcn Haver-
straw y. Y. TO New-Brunswick y. j.. including
Mo- nd VSyan
circuit rider the travelling preachers were
called. visited the township matter what the
weather. and for compensation beyond the food
and shelter offered him by those who gathered to
hear him
Joseph Totten was the second preacher to visit
the place. which in 1872 In 1902 the plans for
the first church were drawn. and in 1906 the build
ing was erected at cost OF $40
From 1875 to 1913 Bishop Asbury. the first Meth
odi5t Episcopal oishop. visited BelIevle frequently.
one quaint passage IN his diary that the
bridges the Passaick Newark. and the
second bridge at Beleville. were the easiest ways
TO get to New-York from the rest OF the state.
because by that route the traveller best escaped
In 1907 the people of the BelIeviIIe church de-
cided there should be a church in Ne%ark and
Methodist Episcopal Church was begun. Much oc
the cost OF erection was detrayed oy Bsilevitle
trustees. On the records it stated: 'Bellevtlle
beng the mo5ner cnGrGh % or Halsey street ~ rs, Is
great-grandmother OF all ne other churches n
The second edifce in BeHeville was erected in
lSie and dedicated by Bishop Jones. who had nrSe
AIRED in BelieVille 1879 a school IeaCheT-
The Rev DR.. Edward H Stokes. who long
the president Of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting
Association. frequent preacher in Belleville-
The present church edifce was erected four years
ago. Hugh Holmes. The oldest living member OF
the church and 2 grandson Of John Dow, opposed
the proposition to sell the old building and land
In Man-st.. cOntending that the deed for the prop
ertv restricted its to church purposes After
long litigation the trustees The old building
IS used a gymnasium
THE NEW ERA OF BROWN UNIVERSITY
VIII be celebrated by the Brown Alumni of
this city on February This uniy yersify il