Zion United Methodist Church
Rev. Richard L. Workman
242 Kings
Highway
Clarksboro, NJ 08020
(856) 423-2000
Map
and Directions
Photograph
of Zion Methodist Church, Clarksboro, NJ
Photograph from the East Greenwich
Master Plan, 2004
History
of the Zion United Methodist Church
Although the history of the Zion
United Methodist Church (from "East Greenwich Township Centennial" booklet,
by Laura Getsinger) states that "the first Methodist Episcopal Church built
in the state of New Jersey was at Berkley [Mt. Royal], in 1766. Here Methodism
began--in East Greenwich Township, which was then part of Greenwich Township,"--this
is not completely accurate.
In fact, the original
deed of the church at Berkley [located on King's Highway within the current
St. Peter's burial ground], to Edward Evans and eleven of his followers by Uriah
Paul, on November 29, 1770 specifically states, that "the said half acres
of ground...for the use of an English Church to be built and Burying Ground."
What is known indeed is that after a few years of being without a preacher, Methodist
preachers were invited to this early church, with a congregation made up mostly
of those who followed the Church of England, along with Methodists and Quakers.
In 1772,
Robert Blackwell was appointed missionary here by the Church of England. He was
appointed the manager of this church in 1773. In June of 1774, the church managers
agreed upon several regulations,
including "that from this day forward no person shall preach in this House
but the Clergy of the Church of England," and offering to refund subscriptions
to the Methodist or Quaker portion of the congregation.
Since the Methodists
were not recognized, the congregation split; part remaining Methodist; part remaining
with the Church of England. Records found in St. Peter's parish minutes state
the rules that were set up concerning the use of the chapel by the Methodist Society,
for its meetings.
Two of the managers, Joshua Paul and Jeffrey Chew,
remained with the Methodists, and refused to serve as managers and withdrew. This
gave complete control to the Church of England, and the Methodists were not allowed
to preach here. The property, however, could not be transferred until a settlement
could be arranged with some of the Society This meeting was held September 13,
1774.
On March 9, 1775, it was found necessary to adopt less liberal
terms for the repayment of money to those who were dissatisfied, and to order
that "No person shall preach in this house but the clergy of the Church of
England." Soon after this action, the managers of the Methodist's Society
built at church at Berkley [Mount Royal], about one mile from the present Zion
Methodist Church. No date of this building can be found, and some believe it was
located near Green's Lumber Yard.
Because
of the rapid growth of a class at Clonmell Gibbstown, the class at Berkley faded.
Benjamin Weatherby, a local deacon of the Society, as tradition has it, placed
this frame church on wheels, and moved it to Clonmell,
in the middle of the night. Whether the Class worshipped in the building that
was moved, or if they held their meetings in private homes has not been determined,
but the remaining members did attend a great revival meeting at Bethel, Hurffville.
History and facts about Methodism are missing until 1793 when a deed was given
to Joseph Adams for the Old Stone Church
at Oak Grove, near Swedesboro. This is now the oldest standing Methodist Church
in South Jersey.
After the removal of the Mount Royal Chapel, nothing
of Methodism in Clarksboro is known until 1832, when the Rev. William H. Stevens,
in charge of the Salem Circuit, began to preach in the schoolhouse at Clarksboro.
This school was located on the north side of the present church addition.
In September 1832, a class was formed at Clarksboro. Gideon Zierns was a
member, as were Lewis Rice, Job Lawrence, Kesiah Lawrence, Peter Hughes, Ann Hughes,
Joseph D. Green, Mary Green, William Kessler, Eliza Kessler, Thomas Locke, William
Jordan, William Cowgill, Mary Ann Hughes, and Rosanne Early. Rice who had been
a member of Carpenter's Landing [Mantua] was appointed leader.
Services
were held regularly on Sunday afternoons and the preaching was done by local men.
These meetings were held in the home of Job Lawrence, a class leader and one of
the first trustees of the church. Mr. Lawrence also donated the ground on which
the church was finally built.
November 23, 1832, the Methodist Society,
or Congregation of Christians of Clarksboro, met at the home of Job Lawrence.
Excerpts from these minutes state: "On motion of Nathaniel Turner, the Rev.
Walter Burrows was called to the chair, and John C. Eastlack chosen secretary.
Joseph D. Green, Nathaniel Turner, John C. Eastlack, Lewis Rice and Job Lawrence
were chosen trustees of the M.E. Church at Clarksboro and assume and take it upon
themselves the name of 'Zion'." These trustees met at the office of Samuel
Sailer at Clarksboro on Nov. 30th to take the oath of office. The deed and election
was recorded in the Clerk's office in Woodbury on May 8, 1833.
The Society
then felt the need for a church building. Subscribers were obtained and the building
was started April 1833. The church was finished and dedicated September 1834 with
the Rev. Bartholomew Wood preaching the sermon.
The Rev. William H. Stevens
was pastor and Rev. John Walker was junior preacher. December 14, 1833 Rev. Stevens
died of consumption, and Rev. Walker became preacher with Rev. Robert Luttor became
junior preacher.
In 1883, the Board appointed a building committee to
erect a new church. Built at a cost of $4500 the building was dedicated on December
6, 1883, and this is the building the Congregation worships in today.
In 1899, it was decided to build a new parsonage. The old parsonage was sold and
the house moved to Weatherby Avenue, Clarksboro. Stained glass windows were added
to the church in 1928, and the front steps were replaced with a narthex.
In 1953, an addition was added to relieve overcrowding in Sunday School classes.
In 1974, it became necessary to have a larger sanctuary, and a wall was knocked
out to seat approximately 50 more persons. The stairway was changed and the interior
of the church was completely remodeled and renovated. In 1981 the minister was
Rev. John J. Hamilton. Jr.
ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CEMETERY
In 1859, the church graveyard
was erected. The cemetery is located directly behind the church, and is accessible
from Shady Lane Road. See photographs below.
See
the list of some veteran's buried in this cemetery.
