First United Methodist Church, Mays Landing, NJ has a rich historical heritage spanning the last two centuries. On this page is a number of brief articles related to our church and community. These articles have been provided by our much valued Church Historian, to whom we are very grateful.
The Ministry of History
Why does history matter?
One of the chief values of history is entertainment. It is fascinating to learn about the people of the past. We enjoy listening, seeing, and reading about what has happened in the past. Many in our congregation will be captivated by the stories of people and events in our church's history.
History can also be a source of inspiration. As we learn more about those who created the heritage of which we are heirs, we may be inspired to give thanks for their lives, and we may pledge to follow their example. On the other hand, recognizing that history is made by people who are not always at their best, their stories may evoke our confession of their shortcomings and inspire us to say that we shall learn from their mistakes.
Finally, we know that history's real importance is that it helps us understand who we are. It is a clue to our own identity. Our church's present-day location its architecture, the way it worships, its organization, its ministries and outreach, and countless other facets of its life are all rooted in the history of the congregation. By reflecting on the past, we can better understand who we are and determine the future directions of our ministry.
History is ministry! Our job is an important part of our church's ministry as we help it record and remember its service for Christ.
Mays Landing's First Church Building
Sometime between 1764 and 1779, a period of 15 years, someone built a Church in Mays Landing on Main Street. This gap may be narrowed a bit by examining the Diary of Philip Vickers Fithian a Presbyterian Minister from Cohansie who visited this area on Sunday, February 5, 1775. On that date, Fithian preached at the home of a Mr. Champion whom he called "a half brother in the cause" indicating Champion was not too enthused about the Revolution which was taking place in America.
Champion is known to have lived on the Westerly side of the Great Egg Harbor River, but not where you would normally expect as his farm was largely inundated when Jeremiah Stull built the Mill Dam here in 1846, creating the pond we now call Lake Lenape. Later Ministers traveling through this area referred to "Brother Champion and Brother Hews" and the latter man is thought to have lived in the area which later became known as Clarktown.
It seems likely if there had been a Church in Mays Landing at the time of Fithian's visit in 1775, he would have preached there rather than in a private home, therefore it is safe to assume the first Church building was erected in Mays Landing between 1775 and 1779. This was probably the building constructed by Col. Wescott which was torn down soon after our first Methodist Church Building was constructed in 1848. The Wescott Free Meeting House was located across the street near where the bank now stands.
When The Dogwoods Bloom
It was March 26, 1943 when a forest fire, caused by sparks thrown from a train engine, began at approximately 3:35 p.m. one mile west of Elwood.
Hours later two Mays Landing boys were dead and two others were injured critically after being caught in the fire on a road known as Dutchtown Road. The other boys also died later after much suffering.
The young boys were Ralph Luderitz, 17, and Carl Luderitz, 16, the sons of Otis and Verna Luderitz and brothers of Mary Booye. Alfred "Pud" Ingersoll, 19, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ingersoll who was scheduled to go into the army in three days. William Hoover, 27, son of William and Bertha Hoover, and brother of Ethyl Donoflio.
After the fire, Dogwood trees were planted in our church yard in memory of the boys during a special dedication service led by Rev. Harold D. Smock.
When you admire the beautiful Dogwood flowers, pause a moment and remember these young men.
