How we got to where we are today
1822
First Methodist meeting held in Flemington. Two preachers from Trenton, the James brothers, spoke at the courthouse at the invitation of Asher Atkinson, a Quaker. Additional Methodist classes are held at what is today known as the Samuel Fleming house.
1823
A camp meeting is held at Atkinson's & 40 people convert to Methodism.
1824
The Methodist-Episcopal Society raises $690.18 to purchase a lot and building at 21-27 Main Street for a meeting house. The meeting house stood near where the post office sits today.
1826
The first meetinghouse is completed.
1828
The court house burns to the ground, so the church loans the meeting house to the county to be used as a courthouse. The public whipping post was also moved to the church at this time.
1830
The 1830-40s werea period of great revival and growth for the Methodist congregation in Flemington.
1846
The meeting house is updated and improved, but it is soon outgrown.
1847
The church builds a parsonage at the corner of New Street (which is today called Park Avenue) & Capner.
1849
The meeting house in enlarged & updated again, but it is soon outgrown.
1882
The parsonage is sold. It is still in use as a private residence today.
1883
$5000 is raised to purchase a lot at the corner of Main Street & Maple Avenue to build a new meeting house on.
1885
The original meeting house and lot is sold at auction for $3375.
1886
The corner stone ofthe existing church is laid in September.
1887
The first service is held in the new church, which is still under construction, in June.
1888
Construction is completed, and the church is dedicated on February 22. It cost approximately $2o,ooo.
1889
A new parsonage is built at the corner of Maple Avenue & Spring Street.
1893
A bell is added to the bell tower at a cost of $250. The church got a $20 discount for donating metal toward the bell's construction. The bell, which was made by by Meneely Bell Company in Troy, NY, is engraved What God Hath Wrought. Today, the bell is worth around $25,000.
1899
The mortgage on the new church is paid off.
1901
The church purchases its first organ.
1917
The church is electrified and redecorated. The basement's dirt floor is partially covered with cement.
1926
The second organ, a Moeller, is purchased. Major changes are made to the pulpit area & windows to accommodate it. The organ and renovations cost $12,500
1935
During the Trial of the Century the church was open day and night for meditation and prayer. Over 100 people were served lunch each day of the trial.
1954
A new altar, pulpit, and lectern are installed.
1956
What is today known as the Doric House is purchased by the church from Mrs. Aalhom for $48,000. The Greek Revival home was in poor condition, but the church fixed it up to use for classrooms & fellowship. The house also comes with a large lot.
1967
The church reveals plans to build a large addition, including classrooms, a kitchen, and a fellowship hall.
1969
Ground is broken for the new addition & the Doric house is sold.
1970
The new addition is completed at a cost of $173,000. In addition to serving the church's needs, it is used by many community organizations.
2013
The congregation celebrates its 200th Anniversary in Flemington.