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History of "Terrace" First United Methodist Church
Sallman's "Christ standing at the door"
What was once all salt marsh,
beach plum, bayberry, and sand dunes is today
an island that has grown from small summer cottsges to substantial year round
homes. First United Methodist Church of Beach Haven Terrace is a vital
part of
this community— reaching out to help others.
Feeling the
need to communicate with God and to sing praises, a
dozen or so people met on
the beach on a Sunday evening in 1912
after the train had departed. This was
the beginning of the church in
Beach Haven Terrace.
Later,
services were held at the Clearview Hotel and the Community Hall
where ministers
preached on Sunday evenings. Sunday School was
founded by Miss Elaine Rorer and
met on the front porch and later
at the homes of Mabel and Fred Nichterlein and
Anna and Elwood Haines.
On August 7, 1914, the Beach Haven Terrace Sabbath
Union was organized
and started holding services year-round in 1920-21. The
original Terrace
Church building was a bare shell with a borrowed pump organ and
a leather
pulpit Bible presented by John Wanamaker. Electric lights and a belfry
with bell were added in 1927.
A new sanctuary
was dedicated on June 4, 1975; and two years later, a new organ
was purchased.
Chimes and organ pipes were added in the late ‘70’S. The
parsonage was built
in 1981, all of these steps while sharing a minister with
the Kynett Methodist
Church in Beach Haven. Outside organizations, like the
Long Beach Island Garden
Club, Alcoholics Anonymous, youth groups and other
organizations use the church for meetings, retreats, and affairs.
Changing times
bring changing needs. The Terrace Church became an
independent charge in June,
1998. In November, 2000, a new fully air-conditioned
two-story wing with Sunday School rooms, social
hall, kitchen, and church office,
was completed and consecrated, debt free. With the retirement of the pastor of
Terrace First United Methodist Church and simultaneously the retirement of the
pastor of the Kynett Methodist Church, in June of 2006, the presiding United
Methodist Bishop decided to "yoke" the two churches, sharing one pastor--
Rev. Boyd L. Fox, Jr., but maintaining each church's identity, officers, financial
obligations, etc.
Over the years, further physical improvements have been made. The
old bell
has been reconditioned and together with the carillon rests atop the
church
building. Stained glass windows depicting eight stories from the Bible
have
been installed in the air conditioned sanctuary, including the Christmas window
and the Easter window.
Throughout all
of the rebuilding, a cohesive ministry of the “outstretched hand”
continues.
“The little church that friendship builds,” even as she grows, has as her
first
mission always— reaching out to others and making disciples for Jesus Christ.
Why not reach out to someone else? Why not become a volunteer in your home church?
If you have no church home, why not worship with the Terrace First United
Methodist Church? All are welcome.
Check out this United Methodist site to find practical ways to help others.
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