Our History

First United Methodist Church of Hammonton is a historic downtown church located on Main Street in Hammonton. Below is a brief history of our church, researched and written by our church historian.

Methodist’s were already active in the 1840’s in Pleasant Mills, Hammonton and Blue Anchor. In fact, according to the Atlantic Mirror publication Dec. 24, 1887 this was the first church organization in town. G.A. Raybold’s book printed in 1849, entitled, “Reminiscences of Methodisim in West Jersey,” states there was a church either on a Main Road or Pleasant Mills Road.

This area at that time was part of “Old Hammonton”. Mr, Raybold states the church, at that time, was old and dilapidated, so it was torn down. It was rebuilt in the same location near the Hammonton Lake. The exact location is unknown.

Over the next ten years there was a decline in Methodism. But, plans were made in 1857 to organize a church. It was organized in 1858 under the Winslow Circuit with the Rev. Alfred Palmer as pastor. At that time he was probably traveling to several churches in the area, preaching at a different one each Sunday.

In 1858, a Sunday School class was organized by Mrs. Hannah Trafford. She felt the children of Hammonton should have some religious influence in their lives. Classes were held in the “old school house” near Main Road (now the White Horse Pike). They met there for about six weeks and then met in private homes. For Methodists Sunday School is still an essential part of the church for adults and children. Eventually they met in Elvin’s Store at the corner of Bellevue Avenue and Main Road as it was known in the 1850’s. At the time the whole area was called “Elvin’s Corner.”

The “Class” as it was called, met on the second floor of the store.  The Class was recognized as a Methodist School and services were held every two weeks.  In 1861, the class petitioned the Bishop to send a pastor to Hammonton. Young Rev. Charles Kirkbride was sent for a salary of $100 for the year.  Rev. Kirkbride became discouraged and left before the end of the year.  The reason for his departure is unknown. (Maybe the salary?)  In any case, they went back on the circuit with Winslow and Waterford.

At this time, Mr. George Elvins, son of Elvin’s Store owner Andrew Elvins, was a Class member.  According to a copy from a Sunday School Board meeting of 1923, Mr. Elvins was the principal founder of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Hammonton.  The earliest preserved record from April 3, 1859 lists Mr. Elvins as church secretary.  Since he was born in 1838, he was all of 21 years old.  He served the Sunday School for over 60 years as secretary, superintendent and teacher.  To quote his obituary, “He passed at age 85 years old from the Sunday School here below to the Sunday School on high.”  If you check the Church windows you will find his name on one of them.

In 1864, the church again left the circuit and went on its own with Rev. Joseph Turpin. A two-story church was constructed in 1866 under the ministry of Rev. Alvah Jones. The church was on Bellevue Avenue between Valley Avenue and Fourth Street on the right side heading towards the railroad.

Sunday School classes and services were held in the downstairs floor as the upstairs or auditorium was not completed until 1879. In 1885, the first parsonage was built and the pastor and his family moved into it in 1886.

In 1887, the Epworth League, forerunner of the Youth Fellowship, was started. This was a group mainly for the teens beyond the regular Sunday School classes.

The coming of the railroad caused the town to grow rapidly about a mile from the two-story Church. At that time, it was decided that a sum of $1000 be used to purchase a lot closer to the new center of town.

Moving the original church to the new location was impractical, so it was dismantled and many of the beams and timbers were used in the building of the church we are in today.

Building on our current church was started August 25, 1890, with the cornerstone being laid the following September. The new church was dedicated May 24, 1891 and was valued at $9000.

The Church grew between March 1890 and 1893 when members and probationers increased from 112 to 212.

Under Rev. Alfred Wagg, the Ladies Aid Society was organized between 1893 and 1895. They were responsible for much of the furnishings of the parsonage. By the end of Rev. Waggs pastorate, full membership of the church was 252 with 20 probationers.

In 1903 a “Re-Opening” service was held and the mortgage was burned. Then in 1904 the Church acquired electrical lighting. In 1907, the church held a church picnic at Hammonton Park with 300 people present. By 1922, Church School or Sunday School attendance was at 100 with classes for all ages.

The church in 1891, had a full cone shaped top in the high bell tower. By 1926, there was much decay in the high bell tower. The tower lost five feet and the cone shaped top. However, we still have in our bell tower and the only working bells in Hammonton.

In 1927, Pastor John Lynch preached a sermon titled, “There Must Be No Repeal of the National Prohibition Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.” During that time, members of the church signed pledges which said, “Touch Not, Taste Not, Handel Not. I hear by promise, by the help of God, to abstain from the use of all intoxicating liquors, including wine, beer, and cider as a beverage.”

In the 1920’s the Church continued to organize with the first Official Board Meeting, the Home Missionary Society, the Usher’s union and the Church “Cradle Roll.” When babies were baptized and their names were placed on this list and displayed in the church.

The first Rally Vacation Bible School was held with the Baptist, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches in town. Classes were held in the mornings for 3 weeks. It later became known as “Daily Vacation Bible School.”

In 1936, the church acquired a new electric organ.

In 1951, the first Youth Fellowship and later the men of the church began digging out the basement. It was completed in 1968, including kitchen and lavatories.

In April 30 to May 7, 1961 the Church celebrated its 100th Anniversary.

On May 23, 1970, the church held its first Horse Show under the Chairmanship of Rev. Francis Patterson and the help of the church congregation. It was held on the property of Mr. Jim Orville on 7th Street in Hammonton. There were Riding Club competitions in English and Western riding. Ribbons and cups were awarded to the winning competitors. It was not without tragedy though. During the counting of the final winner a thunderstorm came up and one of the winning horses was struck by lightening. The horse was immediately buried in the field. In spite of that, the Horse Show was successfully held gain in 1971 and 1972.

Several things happened from 1975 to 1978. Air conditioning was installed in the Church, the Sanctuary was renovated and a new Allen organ was purchased.

Through the years, the Church has had many ups and downs. 1983 was definitely one of those years. Funds were low in the winter of “83, so the Worship Services were held in the Church basement. This was done in order not to heat the whole Church. As if in answer to a prayer, in May of 1983 the Church was bequeathed a legacy from the estate of Mr. Joseph J. Imhoff. For many years, this bequest helped the Church.

God has been faithful through the years in sustaining our church home and church family. Praise God!