OCEAN GATE – The faithful packed into the Ocean Gate United Methodist Church to celebrate its history – especially the challenges that were overcome – on its 100th anniversary.
The small building was full – standing room only – filing into the hall and outside. Despite the wet weather, everyone wanted to come out and be a part of the church’s esteemed history.
Before there was a church, there was a community. They gathered at the Grant homestead for Sunday School in 1909. Rev. Oliver from the Island Heights Methodist Church would row his boat across the Toms River to teach. The Methodist Conference gave Oliver $200 as seed money to start a church in Ocean Gate. A small building was built on Point Pleasant Avenue, but they soon outgrew that.
Property was acquired at the corner of East Bayview Avenue and Asbury Avenue. The cornerstone of the church was laid on July 27, 1924.
A century later, the church’s leaders welcomed everyone to a special ceremony to look back on the past. Attendees joined the choir in song, and there was a formal prayer of dedication. Special guests included local elected officials and District Superintendent Rev. Ronell Howard.
Charlie Soper, who used to be a pastor for the church, said he watched the borough change from being a rental community to being a town where people lived year-round. “The words of Christ need to be part of our community,” he said, “especially in this time of adversity and sometimes anger.”
In 2007, Ocean Gate and Bayville’s churches joined together to become Faith Community.
On July 14, 2022, a fire broke out. The building was saved, fortunately. Some original floorboards had to be replaced. Some of that original wood was fashioned into six crosses and given to people who were important to the church. One of these went to the grandson of the family that donated the land.
Police Officer Vincent Pelino, who was the first on the scene of the fire, received a cross as well.
“Thanks to you, we’re all here today,” Pastor ChangYong Shin told him.
Fire Chief Larry Murray also received a cross on behalf of his department’s swift efforts.
There was a display of photos of the damage from the fire. You wouldn’t know there had been one, since the church today is sturdy and strong.
Pastor Phil Salerno said that the church is more than just a building; it’s about having a place to build relationships that can change lives.
