History

The following is taken from a paper presented at the 100th anniversary of the Kingston United Methodist Church in April, 1978, entitled, History of Kingston United Methodist Church, by Mr. Richard Wheeler, church historian:

1878

During the month of February 1878, the people of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Rocky Hill had an evangelist, Miss Lizzie Sharp, come and conduct revival meetings in their church. The result of these meetings was a great religious awakening among the people and there were some sixty or more that professed to be reborn of the spirit.

There were some twenty or more of Kingston people who attended these meetings and were brought under the influence of the Holy Spirit. The Kingston people walked on the railroad tracks to Rocky Hill, which is a little over two miles.

At the request of those interested, a meeting was called at Brother Perdun's on March 27, 1878. There were some thirty people present at the meeting and a class was organized with Brother Perdun as leader. On April 2nd, Miss Sharp came to Kingston and held a meeting in the Thomas Neary home, corner of Main Street and Church Street, which was know as the "Stage Coach Inn," "Old Heath Tavern," and later called the "Bee Hive." There was a large attendance filling two large rooms and the hall.

Miss Sharp's text was "God Is Our Refuge and Strength, A Very Present Help In Trouble." Her message was filled with the Holy Spirit and brought deep conviction into the hearts of the hearers.

On April 11th, a prayer meeting was held at Brother Durling's. There were forty-five people present. Brother J. E. Swan was leader and there was great interest manifested. At the close ofthe meeting, Brother Swan called for a meeting of all those present to determine their opinion in regards to building a Methodist church in Kingston.

Brother Swan was elected chairman of this meeting and Henry R. Hight secretary. After some discussion of the matter, Brother John Perdun made a motion and it was unanimously adopted. Brother Durling moved that a building committee of ten members be appointed. It was so ordered that the following be appointed: Rev. J. E. Swan, Charles Green, Charles Stenes, N. M. P. Durling, H. R. Hight, Charles R. Robinson, William Bunn, James D. Harris, and John Perdun.

This committee met on April 12th at Brother Durling's home. Brother Swan was elected president, H. R. Hight - secretary, and Charles Robinson - treasurer.

Mr. Robinson moved that there be a committee of four appointed to look for a site (and to suggest) a place to build the church. This committee consisted of Charles Green, T. L. Reed, J. E. Swan, and N. M. P. Durling.

On June 3rd the building committee met at Brother Perdun's. Brother Durling reported that he had seen Nelson Conover about a lot, and that he was willing to sell it for $250.00: one-half cash and the balance on time. Brother Durling moved that we buy it at once; and it was so ordered. Brothers Swan, Durling, and Robinson were made a committee to buy it.

The work of getting all the plans satisfactpory was accomplished. A young man named Vorhees Durling was hired to cut and rake off all the weeds and potatoe vines that were then on the lot.

On August 12th the ground was broken. Mr. Jacob Gilchrist dug the trenches and on August 14th, the corner stone was laid. The mason work was done by Ira Pullen and S. B. Bastedo, the father of Mesdames Totten and Grove. Messrs. Pullen and Bastedo worked for $2.00 per day, and boarded themselves. On August 29th the lumber was contracted from J. W. Fielder Company for $600.00 to be delivered by boat at Kingston Basin on September 14th.

Brother Swan was the architect and superintendent of the work. The building was raised on Friday, September 20, 1878, and it was finished and dedicated on Thursday, January 30, 1879.

1879-1889

During these years, Dr. J. S. Chadwick of Trenton preached in the afternoon, and Dr. William M. Moffett, the presiding elder of the Trenton District, preached for the evening service.

The Kingston Church was put on the circuit with Rocky Hill M. E. Church. Brother Swan was the pastor until the conference met in March, when he was sent to another charge. Then Brother W. M. Ogborn was placed on this charge until March 1880. Reverend Joseph H. Boyd came in March 1880 and remained until March 1882. Reverend S. M. VanSant preached a few months; followed by Reverend John R. Mason who remained on until March 1883. Brother Luther was pastor for several months, followed by Brother William Disbrow, who was at Pennington Seminary. He frequently walked here on Saturdays, preached Sunday morning and evening and walked back to Pennington Monday mornings. He remained until March, 1887. Reverend James Burns was pastor from March 1887 until March 1888.

1888-1908

The conference left this church to be supplied. Brother James Perkins preached until May 8, 1888. Brother Fergus Dennis preached from 1888 until March 1908 -- nineteen years and three months.

When Brother Fergus Dennis came, our membership was eleven; our debt was $1,770.00. From May 1888 to May 1889, we raised and paid for all purposes $10,993.90 and the membership increased to one hundred fourteen members. When Brother Dennis came with us, we paid him $2.00 a week until March 1889, then we paid him $4.00 a week. We paid Brother George Van Acker $2.25 to transport Brother Dennis twice on Sunday and once on Wednesday evening until April, 1891. Then we agreen to pay Brother Dennis $25.00 a month and he furnished his own transportation. In April 1896, we increased his salary to $40.00 a month. In 1896, we began paying $500.00 a year. April, 1889 the salary was $600.00 per year; April, 1901 -- $620.00 per year; April, 1902 -- $640.00 per year; April, 1903 -- $650.00 per year until March 3, 1908.

During Reverend Dennis' time, we had purchased more ground and built our Epworth League and Sunday School Room (1893-1894). On Sunday evening, June 17, 1894, this room was dedicated by Presideing Elder George Reed.

1908-1918

The following ministers served as pastors over the next ten-year period:

Rev. George Yard, March 1908 till March 1910
Piano bought in 1909 for $200.00
Bro. W. A. Lilly, March 1910 til March 1911
Bro. J. M. Hunt, March 1911 til March 1914
Parsonage lot was donated by Fergus Dennis
Parsonage built for $3,000.00
Bro. H. Garrison, March 1914 til March 1915
Bro. W. W. Moffett, March 1915 til April 22, 1915 when God called him to his eternal home
Supply ministers served until June 12, 1915.
Bro. H. D. West, June 1915 till March 1916
Rev. T. Ogle, March 1916 till March 1918

In September, 1916, Mrs. W. H. Mathews and Mrs. W. O. Thompson went without new spring dresses in order to purchase a new communion set for the church.

In 1917 the Ladies' Improvement Committee had the new kitchen built for $320.62.

Brother Henry Gascoyne was the pastor form March 1918 til March, 1919.

Brother Sam R. Latham served from March 1919 till March 1923. (He died December 15, 1976, according to the United Methodist Relay.)

From 1921 to 1924 a new church interior was accomplished by removing the old chimneys to accomodate a new ceiling, a new hardwood floor, new pews, new stained glass windows, new choir chairs, draperies, cushions, and a new pulpit, new pipe organ; all done at the cost of $7,052.40.

Word got around in early 1921 of a lady who was interested in giving pipe organs to worthy churches. Mrs. W. H. Mathews was appointed to write to her. This is the letter received:

March 7, 1921
Clinton, N.J.

Mrs. W. H. Mathews
Sec. Ladies Improvement Society,
   Two or three evenings ago I received a message from an unknown friend asking a favor wishing to make interior decorations to your church in Kingston, N.J.
   We like to encourage everything of this kind, also, lend a helping hand wherever needed. There comes a time when we would be delighted to give the aid so much desired. We hear the voice which says, Come Over, Answer the Call.
   Enclosed find a check for $3,000.00
   Wishing you every success in all your efforts.

Yours sincerely,
Mrs. E. R. Voorhees

1929-1941

Our Fiftieth Anniversary was held three evenings: January 30, 31, and February 1, 1929. Rev. Mason [along with Bro. W. B. Magsam] and Bro. J. M. Hunt presided on the 30th; Bro. F. A. Dennis and Rev. Yard presided on the 31st; and Rev. Garrison and Rev. Latham presided on the 1st. [Various talks were given. One talk was on the history of the church given by Henry R. Hight, the only living member, at that time, of the original Building Committee.]

The following ministers served the Kingston Church during the period between 1923 and 1953.

Bro. Wolsefers Johnson, March 1923 till March 1925
Bro. W. B. Magsam, March 1925 till March 1929
Rev. Franklin Perkins, 1929, 1930, and 1931
Rev. David Morgan, 1931 and 1932
Rev. Edmund J. Guest, 1933 and 1934--two years and 6 months
Conference changed from March to September.
Rev. Henry Johnson, October 1934, 1936, and 1937
Rev. Merle Young, 1938
Rev. Stanley McCleave, 1939, 1940, and 1941
Rev. John Rozeboon, 1941
Rev. Harold R. Fuss, 1942
Rev. Ted Richardson, 1943
Rev. Keith Macy, 1944, 1945, and 1946
   (Choir School)
Rev. Don Bishop, 1946, 1947, and 1948

These ministers served Hopewell and Kingston churches during this time:

Rev. Lee, July 1948 to June 24, 1949
Rev. W. S. Heicht, July 3, 1949 to September 25, 1949
Rev. Harold Dunn, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1953

1950-1978

The tower sound system was donated by W. H. Mathews on February 19, 1950, in memory of his wife Kathryn. The pulpit bible was dedicated in 1953 to Mrs. Arthur Heckman by her husband. In 1953, the indoor speaker system was given in memory of Matilda Wilson. The picture of Christ was a gift from Mrs. W. A. Seeley in memory of Mr. and Mrs. John Grant on October 8, 1954.

These ministers pastored the church:

Rev. L. H Boyer, October 1953 to 1955
Rev. Leon Zinkler, October 1955 to 1958
Rev. William Kingston, October 1958 to September 1961
May 1959 Miss Emmons and Mrs. Miller Fischer gave brass candlesticks.
Rev. Edward Thorne, October to June 1964
January 1962 Martin Higgins and Mrs. Fischer gave a new communion service.
Rev. James Lynn, June 1964 to June 18, 1967
Rev. Kenneth Hummel, June 1967 to June 1968
Rev. Douglas Kersey, June 1968 to June 1972
The cross was donated in November 1968 by Mrs. Wilbur Potts in memory of her husband.

At this time Lambertville, Hopewell, and Kingston churches became the Hopewell Valley Parish. Rev. David Propert, currently the pastor, has been with us since June 1972. Rev. Roland Strang is our Associate Minister.

In 1951 to 1953, a new oil burner was put in the coal furnace, grouting the cracks, redecorating, refinishing organ pipes, refinishing choir rail, sanding floors. All at a cost of $1,232.00. Shrubbery was donated by William Flemer of Princeton Nurseries.

On March 8, 1954, the steeple was hit by lightning and partially burned. It was saved by the Kingston and Princeton Fire Companies: Cost over $3,000 to repair. In 1955, the pulpit lamp was donated by the John Barlow family.

At a specialy quarterly conference on August 22, 1962, it was voted to spend $6,520 to build the Heckman Room. Also a gift in memory of Heston Potts paid for two rest rooms and a choir robe closet. (Mr. Heckman had left his property to the church.) Dedication of this room was on November 3 1963. The tool shed at the rear of the church was also added in November, 1963.

May and June 1968 on Saturdays, the church was repainted by members, aided by some folks from Hopewell. A new oil furnace was installed in the church basement with air ducts throughout the Sanctuary and Sunday School Room for $2,550. Mrs. Martin Higgins donated the furnace and a piano in memory of her husband.

The Grant Memorial Fund was used for two flags, paramounts, and the communion pulpit clothes in 1968.

In October 1969, the church parsonage was painted at the cost of $1,086 by the Ladies' Aid Society.

In October 1972, James Carroll and George Gibbs installed copper plumbing throughout the parsonage.

In 1973, Jim Carroll painted half of the church and in 1974, he found students whom he supervised to finish the painting.

In 1974, Jim Carroll installed a sump pump near the furnace so that the heater wouldn't get flooded out again.

Our church has a small endowment left by gifts in several people's wills and we welcome any additional gifts to help in the maintenance of the church.

We also wish to give a great deal of credit to our Ladies' Aid Society, who through their two suppers a year, have come to the aid of the church with financial support many times and, also, takes care of the church insurance and many other things.

[end of Mr. Wheeler's paper]

100th Anniversary Celebration, April 1978
Rev. David Propert conducted special services on April 2, 1978 at Kingston United Methodist Church commemorating the church's 100th anniversary.

Since 1978

Serving Kingston UMC since 1978 were the following pastors:

Rev. Michael Smith
Rev. Byron Leasure
Rev. Carole McCallum
Rev. Marion Sanders
Rev. David Mertz
Rev. Stephen Cady

Rev. Cady comes to Kingston
When Rev. Mertz was appointed to Milltown United Methodist Church, Rev. Cady came as his replacement in August of 2008.