SEAVILLE UNITED METHODIST

CHURCH

Seaville, New Jersey

OUR HISTORY

 We are members of the Church which came into being around Jesus Christ, who died
and rose for us. We acknowledge our unity in spirit and mission with all Christian churches.
We trace our denominational heritage to the Protestant Reformation out of which came the Methodist
movement. John Wesley, a priest in the Church of England, experienced the heart-warming grace of Jesus
Christ. His evangelical ministry sparked an era of spiritual renewal and social reform in England in the late
1700's. Wesley sent Francis Asbury to America to help establish Methodism here. Asbury followed the
example of John Wesley and established circuit riders, preachers who would follow a route and stay in local
homes, so that the word of the Lord could be heard and shared by many. Seaville grew from this tradition.

The Seaville Methodist Episcopal Church was organized August 20, 1856. It was one of eleven such
churches built before the Civil War as Methodism spread throughout Cape May County, New Jersey. Elected
trustees were Richard Townsend, J. C. Godfrey, Charles S. Godfrey, Joseph Corson, Reuben G. Corson,
Francis H. Hewitt and Amos Gandy. A church building was planned, 40 feet long by 30 feet wide. The
contract was awarded to Peter Corson on June 4, 1857 for $1800. The building was dedicated the following
year in 1858. The Seaville Cemetery, located behind the church, was established in 1889.

An addition to the front of the church came in 1908 providing a vestibule, classroom, belfry and bell which
was later removed. In 1980, a balcony was built which incorporated the upstairs classroom. The Social Hall
originally built on the east side of Shore Road in 1921 was moved to its present location in May, 1965. The
Hall was raised, kitchen modernized, and a lower floor added to provide Sunday School rooms and a chapel.
In the spring of 1989, a ground-breaking for a new 7500 square foot addition to the Hall was held. The
Fellowship Building now contains on its lower floor a pastor's study and eight classrooms. The top floor
includes a multipurpose room, kitchen, secretary's office/library and reception area. In 1997, Seaville
dedicated its first parsonage on Lexington Court in Upper Township.

Seaville United Methodist Church resides on a picturesque setting of land given by Zebulon Townsend and
his wife Anthea Corson. The Church is graced by one of the largest red cedars in New Jersey and believed to
be around 200 years old. In July, 1976 after two years of work and memorials given by church members and
the community alike, "Duck Island" with its gazebo and bridge, the nature trail known as "Elsie's Trail", a
wooded picnic area and service seating area were dedicated. In 1981, Clint Howell Drive was completed
giving access to the church from Corson Tavern Road. In 1983, a church garden was established in front of
the church and within it is a plaque to Somers Corson, a life long active member.