The authoritative source on
  early churches of New Jersey

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We've created a database and photographic inventory on more than half the 18th & 19th century churches in the state and add to it each month. We welcome and solicit all contributions and suggestions from our visitors.

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   Photographic Inventory

Allentown Methodist Episcopal Church
Allentown, Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth County

The Methodist church was organized in 1810 and a wooden frame building erected in 1833. The stone marker above the entrance says the church was rebuilt in 1859. Certainly the belfry, the heavy pediment, and the door and window surrounds date from that period.
      The band of dentils marking the distinction between the lower and upper floors is unusual, which leads me to infer that the church was raised on blocks, a basement was excavated, and finished to provide room for a lecture hall, Sunday School and other meeting rooms, and the main auditoriam is on the second floor. Methodist churches of that era often provided space for a variety of cultural and other goups that were not closely connected to the church.

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Copyright (c) 2001 Frank L. Greenagel