To stop the audio completely (or if the pause button doesn’t work), refresh the page.

Founding of Ocean Grove

In the summer of 1869, 8 to 10 families gathered for rest and religious fellowship on the land that is now Founders Park, on what is now Wesley Lake (named for John and Charles Wesley who founded the Methodist Church). This spot had been chosen by the Rev. William Osborn after he had examined the New Jersey Shore from Sandy Hook to Cape May. It had the highest beach, the best grove of trees, and was free from mosquitos. In December 1869 an organization consisting of 13 ministers and 13 laymen was formed under the name The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. A charter was obtained from the New Jersey Legislature and the first camp meeting was held the following summer.

Ocean Grove has approximately 1 mile of ocean front and natural north and south borders formed by spring fed lakes, called Wesley and Fletcher. (John William Fletcher was the theologian who first defined Methodist beliefs.) For its first 110 years no vehicular traffic, bike riding or boating was permitted on the Sabbath, also no swimming – so between midnight Saturday and midnight Sunday there were no cars in sight in Ocean Grove and the beach was empty.

In 1975, Ocean Grove was designated a State and National Historic District as a 19th-century planned, urban, community. It has the most extensive collection of Victorian and early-20th century architecture in the United States.

Today there are 46 Trustees including 26 full Trustees as well as Associate, Emeritus and Honorary Trustees. Of the official Trustees at least 10 must be clergy and 10 lay and all must be members of the United Methodist Church.