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The
authoritative source on
early churches of New Jersey
About
this site
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
Emley's
Hill Methodist Episcopal Church
Cream Ridge, Monmouth County
According
to Franklin Ellis, the locale was once known as “Hollerin’ Hill” and “Screamin’ Hill,” references
to the fervor of the early Methodist congregation. Camp
meetings and revivals in the early decades of the nineteenth
century were often raucous affairs. In his journal for October
28, 1795, Bishop Asbury notes, “We rode twenty miles
to Emley’s church, where the great revival of religion was
some years ago. I felt a little of the old good spirit there still.” Land
was given by Samuel Imlay (or Emlay) and the original church
was erected in 1790. It burned in 1807 and was rebuilt and that served until 1855 when the present church was erected.
This was a very basic meetinghouse, in
accordance with the Methodist edict to build simply. There
was an open porch the width of the building but that was enclosed
in 1910 when the tower was added. The churches of Clarksburg
and Imlaystown once formed a circuit with Emley's Hill.
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