Amazing History! The Oldest Church in Ocean County, New Jersey

It's no secret I am a "history buff". I enjoy history from around the world, around America, and right here around New Jersey. I especially love when we can talk about history right here at the Jersey Shore. This time around we are looking at churches here in Ocean County, the oldest church.

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I reached out to the Toms River Historical Preservation Commission and asked for some help, in identifying the oldest church in Ocean County. Looking at their info it seems we are going to stay here in Toms River, it was originally known as the Methodist Episcopal Church at Cedar Grove.....the oldest standing church in Ocean County, still serving weekly mass, is the Cedar Grove United Methodist Church in Toms River. The church is nearly 170 years old, originally built on January 10th, 1853. The church is still open and serving mass on a regular basis. The Cedar Grove United Methodist Church in Toms River is located right on Bay Avenue.

In addition to the church, the Cedar Grove Cemetery also has a lot of history. Originally the Applegate Cemetery dates back to 1800. The cemetery still sits aside from the church grounds.

Other historical Ocean County Churches include the Potter House at Murray Grove and the Quaker Meeting Houses in Barnegat and Little Egg Harbor/Tuckerton.

Shout out to SJ Banks who let me know that there is a “portion” of the oldest church in Ocean County in Manahawkin. The former Manahawkin Baptist Church the current building dates to 1864 contains a portion of the original from circa 1758. Below is a pic I took several years ago of the steeple at the Manahawkin site.