Quakertown United Methodist Church Circa 1885
The Quakertown United Methodist Church after it was completed.
History
In its early days, Franklin Township was a Quaker settlement. The most reliable records that are available about the early days of the Township are found in the minutes of the Friends' Meeting in Quakertown. Franklin also has an attraction to early settlers. They soon established three of the oldest churches in present day Hunterdon: Thomas Episcopal, established in 1723, Bethlehem Presbyterian, organized in 1730 and the Quaker Church in 1733.
Picture Taken Circa. Early 1900's
Dorothy Miller and Robert Sterner pose at the Quakertown United Methodist church altar following their wedding on October 29, 1960. Miller was born on what is now known as Linden Lane Farm on Quakertown Road and lived there until her father, Adolph, sold it in 1951. Adolph was one of the directors of the Egg Auction in Flemington, (Courtesy Dot and Bob Sterner)
The United Methodist Church’s children’s choir performed on various occasions, such as Children’s Day and Christmas. This 1956 photograph shows Charles and Dorothy Mathews Smith’s daughter Nancy, fourth from the left in the first row. The stained-glass windows behind the choir were installed in 1926. The congregation is still active today, and among its many activities, it sponsors a food pantry in the township. (Courtesy Ron and Nancy Mathews)
Historical Marker Sign
Quakertown United Methodist Church Historical Marker.
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Historical Marker Sign
Kingwood United Methodist Church Historical Marker.
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History
October 23, 1878 – The Gale of 1878 passes to the west of New Jersey, producing winds of up to 84 mph. Strong winds uproof around 150 houses in Camden, while telegraph lines and trees are downed across the state. In addition, many railroad lines are either washed out or blown over. At least 700 buildings were destroyed while nearly fifty churches lost their spires. There was nearly $2 million dollars (1878 USD) in damage. The hurricane causes high tides and strong flooding, destroying several houses along the coastline. In all, the hurricane causes 8 deaths and severe damage.
The early 1800's were period of growth for Methodism in America. From about 1795 until 1810 there was a significant rekindling of interest in Christianity in America. In rural areas and along the frontier, this led to a convening of many "camp meetings" where people would come from the surrounding area to spend several days listening to evangelists and traveling preachers and praying for the conversion of sinners. American Methodism was exuberant, filled with singing and evangelical preaching.
It was during this time that the Kingwood United Methodist Church was founded. A Methodist Episcopal organization was formed in 1816 for the purpose of establishing a church. The people began by meeting in Thomas West's farmhouse, where the circuit riding preacher would be fed and housed on his rounds. The West's deeded three-quarters of an acre of land from their farm to the new church for $56.25, with the stipulation that they would "erect and build thereon a house or place of Worship for the use of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America."
The West's farmhouse stood near a large field that was used for camp meetings. Bishop Asbury himself was one of the preachers who rode this circuit. He had perhaps stayed in this farmhouse and preached to these people. The large rocks that dotted the campground had certainly served the traveling preachers as pulpits. We can be quite sure that Bishop Asbury himself had stood and exhorted the crowds. Special services are still held twice a year here on "Pulpit Rock."
When the church building was erected in 1816, it was the first Methodist Church in this section of New Jersey. The first preacher to serve in this building was Rev. Manning Force. In 1860, the old church building was torn down and the present building erected. The new church had a high steeple and a heavily pillared front portico. A severe storm in 1878 left the steeple unsafe. It and the portico were removed by the men of the congregation and never replaced.
After 1864, Kingwood was no longer served by a circuit rider but had a fixed pastor appointed to the church. For a brief period from 1912 until 1924, the church owned a parsonage across the street from the church. Since that time, the church has been "yoked" with one or more other churches in the area that were served by a single pastor (this is known in Methodism as a "charge"). The church is "charged" with Quakertown United Methodist Church since July 2008 with Pastor Mercia Solomon.
A look inside the Kingwood United Methodist Church in 1906.
A Rich History & A Brighter Future
On April 23, 1968, The United Methodist Church was created when Bishop Reuben H. Mueller, representing The Evangelical United Brethren Church, and Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke of The Methodist Church joined hands at the constituting General Conference in Dallas, Texas. With the words, "Lord of the Church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church and now in The United Methodist Church," the new denomination was given birth by two churches that had distinguished histories and influential ministries in various parts of the world.
Theological traditions steeped in the Protestant Reformation and Wesleyanism, similar ecclesiastical structures, and relationships that dated back almost two hundred years facilitated the union. In the Evangelical United Brethren heritage, for example, Philip William Otterbein, the principal founder of the United Brethren in Christ, assisted in the ordination of Francis Asbury to the superintendency of American Methodist work. Jacob Albright, through whose religious experience and leadership the Evangelical Association was begun, was nurtured in a Methodist class meeting following his conversion.
Read more about the history of The United Methodist Church by year:
Roots (1736-1816) | Español
The United Methodist Church shares a common history and heritage with other Methodist and Wesleyan bodies. The lives and ministries of John Wesley (1703–1791) and of his brother, Charles (1707–1788), mark the origin of their common roots.
The Churches Grow (1817-1843) | Español
The Second Great Awakening was the dominant religious development among Protestants in America in the first half of the nineteenth century. Through revivals and camp meetings sinners were brought to an experience of conversion. Circuit riding preachers and lay pastors knit them into a connection.
The Slavery Question and Civil War (1844-1865) | Español
John Wesley was an ardent opponent of slavery. Many of the leaders of early American Methodism shared his hatred for this form of human bondage. As the nineteenth century progressed, it became apparent that tensions were deepening in Methodism over the slavery question.
Reconstruction, Prosperity, and New Issues (1866-1913) | Español
The Civil War dealt an especially harsh blow to The Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Its membership fell to two-thirds its pre-war strength. Many of its churches lay in ruins or were seriously damaged.
World War and More Change, 1914–1939 | Español
In the years immediately prior to World War I, there was much sympathy in the churches for negotiation and arbitration as visible alternatives to international armed conflict. Many church members and clergy openly professed pacifism.
Movement Toward Union (1940-1967) | Español
Although Methodists, Evangelicals, and United Brethren each had published strong statements condemning war and advocating peaceful reconciliation among the nations, the strength of their positions was largely lost with American involvement in the hostilities of World War II.
Developments and Changes Since 1968 | Español
When The United Methodist Church was created in 1968, it had approximately 11 million members, making it one of the largest Protestant churches in the world.
From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2004. Copyright 2004 by The United Methodist Publishing House.