 Mauricetown, Commercial Township founded c.1837; built 1837 [location] This trim residence was the town's first Methodist church. It was built in 1837, although the prominent pediment and multiple brackets date to a later period. The building was sold and moved in 1880; it served as the Townhall and a firehall until ____. The first white settler (Caesar Hoskins) established his home here in 1714. By 1789, the town was called Mattox's Landing after its major citizen, Luke Mattox. In 1814, the Compton brothers began laying out the streets and the name Mauricetown was used—it comes from the river, which in turn is thought to derive its name from a seventeenth-century Dutch ship, the Prince Maurice, burned by the Indians before the town was settled.  Haleyville, Commercial Township founded ____, built 1864  Bivalve, Commercial Township founded 18--, built c.1870 [location] The L-shaped plan, the modest tower, and the small triangular pediments over the windows suggests that this was once a Methodist church, but a recent correspondent identified it as an AME church. A different correspondent disagreed. I was told there are occasional meetings in the summer, but I have no other information. It's in its last decade, judging by appearances. It might have been built anytime between 1870 and 1900, in my opinion. Bivalve and Shellpile grew up on the Delaware Bay around Port Norris as shucking houses were established in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to accommodate the thriving oyster industry. The plan is similar to the Methodist church in Imlaystown (Monmouth County) and was commonly adopted with slight variations by Methodist and Baptist congregations throughout the mid-Atlantic. This is the Shell Pile Methodist Episcopal church, per this reference: http://www.dvrbs.com/People/CamdenPeople-RevJohnSHackett-B.htm Quoting from above - “About the middle of February of 1931, when the thermometer was below zero, urgent appeals came from the pastor of a church at Shell Pile, an oyster village on the Delaware Bay near Port Norris, New Jersey. Located here is a settlement of about eight hundred colored men, women and children, whose income ceases when the river freezes over. With the thermometer below zero there was no work available, and soon the little community was literally starving to death. Being frugal had only stretched their limited supplies into the month of February, then the shelves became bare, and, worst of all, no means of replenishing them. The Mission workers know neither color nor creed. They have pledged themselves to the service of God, and by that act have pledged themselves to helping the lost, strayed and needy of the flock of the Shepherd, whether this help be spiritual or material. So when the distress call came from Shell Pile, these servants of God did not quibble about racial barriers, but as true workers in their Master's vineyard, prayed for guidance and God's blessing on their work. Rev. Johns, pastor of the Shell Pile Methodist Episcopal Church, had sent the message of the lamentable circumstances surrounding his people, and that help was most urgently needed to save them from starvation and freezing.  Mauricetown, Commercial Township founded c.1837, built 1880 [location] General Information: Church built on lot vacated by removal of the original Church of 1852, to lot on Second St. adjacent to home of its builder, Charles Bacon. There as "Union Hall" it served as community center until destroyed by fire in 1932. Significance: Due to the need for sailing vessels as cargo carriers to Atlantic seaports, Mauricetown became a home port for many sea captains. As town became more prosperous a larger church was desired with high spire for a landmark visible in Delaware Bay and mouth of Maurice River. Griffith Pritchard of Mauricetown was builder of this present Church with belfry and spire surmounted by arrow weather vane. Description: First floor-original use small room left Primary School Large room, Sunday School. Small room right, Men's Bible Class. Two stairways near entrance lead to second floor vestibule and double doors to Sanctuary. Memorial stain glass windows on second floor installed in 1921. Large front window (Annunciation) donated by local chapter of "The King's Daughters," organized by Miss Cleora Compton. "Mariners Window" within Sanctuary, east side dedicated by Capt. Alonzo T. Barry. The original iron arrow weather vane wrought by a local blacksmith plunged to the ground during a severe storm a few years ago and was replaced by another contemporary arrow. The original iron arrow weather vane was placed in the custody of Carl Schreiber (Mauricetown) until final determination could be made for its permanent placement at the church. The original paneled double front door was replaced. Siding covers medallion molding, trim on belfry and below. Architectural details enhancing the appearance of the building are lost to view. The steeple was struck by lightning several times and damage during the depression years prompted some members to suggest its removal. An eloquent appeal by Capt. Alonzo T. Bacon who stressed the historic significance to the community was, according to a newspaper article by the Rev. Ralph Carlisle, a native of Mauricetown, responsible for the citizen's determination to save this landmark. Four exterior lights at the base of the belfry illuminate the spire above from dusk till dawn. -- information copied from the County Historical pages website  Port Norris, Commercial Township founded c.1856, built 1881 There are several interesting elements about this 1881 wooden frame church. It is basically a rectangular plan meetinghouse with the tower and entrance vestibule set off to the side, part way back. A projecting bay sits in the place where the entrance would normally be found on earlier churches, and the windows are Gothic, rectangular and octagonal, but the screen in the belfry has a round arch. The top of the steeple has been truncated, and in its place is a little balustrade railing, while the cornice boasts the double brackets of the Italianate school. In other words, there is no coherence to this design, which is its charm—marred only by the aluminum siding. Port Norris, originally known as Dallas' Ferry for an early settler who operated a ferry service here, was named for Norris Jones, a son of Joseph "Coffee" Jones of Philadelphia, who bought the land in 1810. The timber industry provided a living for its early settlers, but by 1870, a thriving oyster industry existed.  Port Norris, Commercial Township founded 1871, built 1885 This interesting late 19th century building contains several unusual elements. The choir window is Palladian in form, but the pilasters and lintel belong to a different idiom. The interrupted pediments at the top of the tower, each "supported" by a single bracket, suggests that the congregation's building committee and a builder, rather than an architect, was responsible for the design. The free-standing pillars by each of the doors is a nice touch, but not entirely in keeping with the rest of the building. Sunday school and other meeting room are located in the basement. |
|
|
Commercial Township |