By Michael Benavides
Staff Writer
Members of the Plumsted Presbyterian Church, 14 Front St., in the New Egypt section of Plumsted Township, celebrated their house of worship’s 170th anniversary with a service and luncheon on Nov. 6.
The Rev. Phyllis Zoon, interim pastor, said the anniversary was important because it encouraged people to think about the past.
“I haven’t been here long enough to compare this anniversary to previous ones, but every anniversary has a way of making you stop and think about the past and wonder about the future,” Zoon said.
“It is fitting we are celebrating our anniversary along with All Saints Day (Nov. 1), as we remember those who came before us and had a part in making the church what it is today. It is also a time to think about those who will come after us and what we can pass on,” she said.
Zoon said the celebration comes at a challenging time when the Presbyterian Church is facing a nationwide decline in membership.
“It is also not an easy time for the church, especially the mainline denominations like the Presbyterian Church USA where we have seen individual members and congregations leave because of decisions made by the entire church at the national level,” Zoon said.
“We have what is known as a connectional system, not unlike our government, that usually came down on the side of justice and inclusiveness, but not everyone felt they could stay even though we encourage disagreement while staying together. As far as I know, this was not an issue for our members. Again, that says a lot about the spirit of the congregation,” she said.
The Plumsted Presbyterian Church currently has about 60 members, according to the interim pastor.
“Growth in members seems to go in cycles,” said Zoon, who has been the interim pastor for about five years. “We had some growth for a few years, and even four adult baptisms, which is really unusual for Presbyterian churches, but unfortunately most of them have moved and can’t get here. So we are holding steady for now.”
Carol Lee Reed, a long-time member of the congregation, said the church’s 170th anniversary holds special meaning for her.
“I grew up in our church, got baptized there, married there and had grandchild baptized there,” Reed said. “I have been a member since I was 13 and that was 60 years ago, so this and past celebrations of the church hold a very dear meaning for me.”
Reed said the history of the Plumsted Presbyterian Church dates back to 1845, when the friends of a Presbyterian Church assembled in the office of James Cowperthwaite and appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions.
“A week later the committee reported there was enough interest to justify an attempt to build a church,” she said.
Reed said the committee purchased a plot of land from James Shinn for $92.37 in order to build the church. The church was dedicated on Sept. 22, 1846.
The first story was completed on Oct. 10, 1846, and the second story was completed in November. The church was built of brick, but over the years it was improved and covered with roughcast (a plaster of lime, cement and gravel that is used on outside walls).
Reed said the church’s trustees were Thomas W. Ivins, Samuel H. Horner, George W. Shinn, James Cowperthwaite, Richard Jones, Elisha L. Shinn and John Jones. She said the deed to the church is filed in Freehold Borough in Monmouth County for a good reason.
“The reason the deed was filed in Monmouth County is because we did not become Ocean County until 1850,” Reed said.
The church’s first pastor was the Rev. George C. Bush, who was installed on April 18, 1847. The first service was held sometime in 1848.
Reed said that in 1872, the church’s budget was $220 and the pastor’s salary was $201. There were 16 members at the time.
“In 1878, the elders voted to rent the pews in order to pay the pastor’s salary. The price of the pew was determined by its location in the sanctuary.
“In 1905, new pews were purchased, stained glass windows were installed and the heating system was changed from individual stoves to a central hot air system at a cost of $600,” Reed said.
An addition was built in 1953-54 to accommodate a growing Sunday school enrollment. In 1955, lightning struck the church steeple and cracked the bell. Reed said a shorter steeple was installed and electric chimes replaced the bell.
In 1957, a Baldwin electric organ was purchased to replace the old reed organ. That same year, the congregation approved the purchase of a manse (the house occupied by a minister of a Presbyterian church), which had been built in the late 1700s, from the John Meirs estate, according to Reed.
She said the residence was home to many pastors and their families who have served the church over the years.
“It is now used for a new worshiping community and we proudly call it Sabbath House,” Reed said. “Although we are small, our mission is wide, beginning on our doorstep and extending all over the world.”
Burt Amburgy, 85, of New Egypt, said he has seen the Plumsted Presbyterian Church and the township change during his lifetime and he said he expects both to keep changing.
Amburgy has been a member of the church since 1953, when there were only 15 members and a part-time pastor. He said he participated in a plaque dedication ceremony in 1996 when the congregation celebrated its 150th anniversary.
Zoon said she expected to have a wonderful anniversary celebration on Nov. 6.
“It will be a time to recall everything God has done for us and reaffirm our faith that God will continue to be with us no matter what, which, of course, means let’s keep on keepin’ on,” she said.