 Newport founded 1804, built 1852; remodeled in 1901 The earliest Methodist preachers in south Jersey may have arrived by 1769, but it was not until 1788 that a regular circuit (Salem) was established. The following year provides the first evidence of a Methodist class in the area of Newport-Dividing Creek. Other classes in the Cumberland part of the circuit included Roadston, Deerfield, Woodruff, and Port Elizabeth. Eventually there was a Cumberland circuit that also included Mauricetown, Leesburg, and Millville. So Newport was an early preaching station, but there is no evidence of any meetinghouse prior to 1804, and even that is somewhat ambiguous. In 1852 the evidence is solid that the congregation erected a new meetinghouse although the congregation shared a minister with Dividing Creek until 1885. In 1901 that building was “rebuilt” which involved removal of the galleries, installation of a sloping floor, addition of a chapel, library, vestibule, and bell tower. It had a seating capacity of 260. The above information was taken from Reverend Howard Cassaday’s booklet, The History of Methodism in Newport, N.J. (1989).  Newport founded c.1852, built c.1855/1902 In 1855 the church allowed fifty-one members to form their own church in Newport. Elmer is vague/ambiguous--1852 or 1855.  Newport built 1855 Longtime correspondent Barry Caselli found this old church which now serves as a garage for the local rescue squad. He took a close-up picture of the sign above the door, which says Harmony M. P. Church / 1855. |
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Downe Township |