Sarah Mitchell
Ocean Grove, New Jersey, is a religious community that is part of Neptune Township. It was founded in 1869 by a group of Methodist clergymen who wanted to offer people a summertime retreat to renew their spirits. Over the years, regulations were relaxed, and Catholics and others were allowed to buy property and rent in the community. Today, the Camp Meeting Association, which governs the land, welcomes anyone regardless of their religion but asks that residents support its spiritual missions. The Association has recently come under fire for raising rents on businesses and implementing rules that some believe are too conservative and incompatible with Christian values.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Ocean Grove was founded | 1869 |
| Who founded Ocean Grove | A group of Methodist clergymen |
| Who owns the land in Ocean Grove | Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA) |
| When did Catholics gain permission to rent in Ocean Grove | Unknown, but the OGCMA now welcomes anyone regardless of their religion |
| Current population of Ocean Grove | 3,057 |
| Location | New Jersey, United States |
| Type of community | Religious |
| Type of real estate in Ocean Grove | Ground lease |
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What You'll Learn
Ocean Grove's history as a religious community
Ocean Grove, New Jersey, is a religious community with a rich history dating back to the 19th century. It was founded in 1869 by a group of Methodist clergymen, including William B. Osborn and Ellwood H. Stokes, who formed the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA or CMA). The goal was to create a summertime retreat for people to renew their spirits, combining religion and recreation in a seaside setting.
The early days of Ocean Grove saw the construction of tents and permanent buildings for worship, with the Great Auditorium, a wooden structure acclaimed for its acoustics, being built in 1894. The community grew, and in 1870, the New Jersey State Legislature granted the OGCMA a charter, setting Ocean Grove aside as a place of perpetual worship to Jesus Christ.
Over the years, Ocean Grove has evolved, and its regulations have relaxed. While it was initially a theocracy with strict rules, it now welcomes people of all faiths. The OGCMA still owns all the land in the town and continues to promote Christian values, but it no longer represents only the Methodist Episcopal Church. The community has become more diverse, attracting non-Christians and a thriving LGBTQ+ population.
However, the OGCMA has faced controversies in recent years. There have been disputes over civil unions, with the organisation trying to uphold its religious views on marriage and family. Additionally, the OGCMA has been criticised for its decisions, such as blocking off the beach on Sundays and constructing a cross-shaped pier, which some feel contradict the "live and let live" aspect that once characterised the town.
Despite these controversies, Ocean Grove remains a unique religious community, providing a place of spiritual birth, growth, and renewal for its residents and visitors. The town's Victorian architecture and rich history continue to draw people seeking a peaceful retreat by the sea.
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The Camp Meeting Association's role
The Camp Meeting Association was founded in 1869 by a group of Methodist clergymen, including William B. Osborn and Ellwood H. Stokes, who intended to create a summertime retreat for people to renew their spirits. The Association governed the land until 1979, when the state Supreme Court ruled that it was in violation of the separation of church and state.
The Association laid out what became one of the first planned communities of the Victorian age. In 1870, the New Jersey State Legislature granted the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association a charter, setting Ocean Grove aside as a place of perpetual worship to Jesus Christ. The Great Auditorium, constructed in 1894, remains mostly unchanged and is acclaimed for its wooden structure and excellent acoustics.
The Camp Meeting Association continues to promote the community and its unique charm. It invites people to discover the site and offers tents for rent from May to September each year. While inhabitants do not have to be Methodist, they must support the association's spiritual missions.
The Association has faced controversy in recent years, with some residents concerned about its increasing conservatism and decisions such as blocking off the beach on Sundays. There has also been tension over new leases for commercial properties, with higher rents and reminders about refraining from selling items incompatible with Christian values.
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Changes in leasing policies over time
Ocean Grove, New Jersey, was founded in 1869 by a group of Methodist clergymen who wanted to create a summertime retreat to help people renew their spirits. They formed the Camp Meeting Association (CMA) to govern the land and promote Christian values.
In its early days, Ocean Grove was a theocracy. The CMA issued ordinances, had its own police force, and screened prospective residents, who had to present recommendations from their churches. Over time, regulations were relaxed, and Catholics and others were allowed to buy property and rent in the community.
Today, the CMA maintains ownership of all real estate in Ocean Grove and continues to lease properties to residents and businesses. While the CMA welcomes anyone regardless of their religion, it has faced criticism in recent years for becoming more conservative and making decisions that some feel are incompatible with the community's longstanding values.
In 2021, the CMA began issuing new commercial leases with higher rents and reminders that lessees must refrain from selling anything that would conflict with Christian values. This move was met with concern from some businesses and residents, who felt the CMA was prioritizing its religious values over the town's unique charm and diverse community.
While the CMA has faced legal challenges related to the separation of church and state, it continues to play a significant role in governing Ocean Grove and shaping the community's character and values.
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The impact of development on the town's character
Ocean Grove, New Jersey, is a unique community with a rich history. Founded in 1869 by a group of Methodist clergymen, it was envisioned as a place of worship and respite, combining religion and recreation. Over time, the town's character has evolved, and it has faced the challenges and opportunities presented by development.
Initially, Ocean Grove was a theocracy, with the Camp Meeting Association (CMA) issuing ordinances and enforcing them through its own police force. The CMA owned all the land and potential residents were screened, needing recommendations from their churches to be allowed to buy property. This exclusivity began to change over time, with regulations being relaxed and Catholics and others eventually being allowed to purchase property and live in the community.
The town's character has been shaped by its architecture, with abundant examples of Victorian-era buildings, including the renowned Great Auditorium. However, development pressures have threatened to alter this distinctive character. In 2006, plans for a major new hotel and condominium development sparked controversy, with the Planning Board of Neptune stating that the proposal was "inconsistent with the town's Master Plan". This conflict reflects the tension between the desire for progress and the preservation of Ocean Grove's unique charm.
The CMA has taken steps to maintain its influence over the town's character. In 2021, the CMA began issuing new commercial leases with higher rents and reminders that tenants must refrain from selling anything incompatible with Christian values. This move was justified as a way to standardize leases and ensure compliance with the association's rules. However, some businesses and residents expressed concern that the CMA might be going too far in imposing its values on the community.
The impact of development on Ocean Grove's character is complex. While the CMA seeks to preserve the town's religious roots and Victorian charm, the community has also evolved to become more diverse and inclusive. The balance between preserving the past and embracing change is a ongoing challenge, and the town's character continues to evolve as new residents, businesses, and investors are attracted to Ocean Grove's unique appeal.
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The controversy surrounding the association's values
Ocean Grove in New Jersey was founded in 1869 by a group of Methodist clergymen who wanted to offer a summertime retreat to help people renew their spirits. They formed the Camp Meeting Association to govern the land, a function that continued until 1979 when the state Supreme Court ruled they were in violation of the separation of church and state.
The Camp Meeting Association has been criticised for its conservative values and its affiliation with the Methodist Church. In recent years, the association has been accused of becoming more conservative in its decisions, such as the introduction of a brand new cross-shaped pier and the blocking off of the beach until noon on Sundays. These decisions have changed the "live and let live" aspect that once drew many residents, including non-Christians and a thriving LGBTQ+ population, to the town.
The association has also been criticised for its handling of commercial leases and for raising rents on businesses. While the group claims it is trying to standardise leases and ensure businesses comply with the association's rules, some businesses and residents are concerned that the group is going too far and threatening the town's unique charm.
In addition, the association has been accused of misrepresenting the town as a "Christian resort". While it may accurately describe itself as a religious organisation, it does not represent a particular church and the town is not only for "members" of that church.
Despite these controversies, Ocean Grove has a long history as a place of worship and spiritual renewal. The association continues to provide traditional and contemporary worship programs and promotes its original purpose as a place for spiritual birth, growth, and renewal in a Christian seaside setting.
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Frequently asked questions
Ocean Grove allowed Catholics to rent sometime after its founding in 1869.
All real estate in Ocean Grove has been owned by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA), a nonprofit religious organization formed by Methodist ministers.
No, you don't have to be Methodist to rent in Ocean Grove. However, renters must support the association's spiritual missions.
