Stanhope United Methodist Church

Drawing by Bernice Magnie, 1982

Stanhope United Methodist Church

- A Little Bit Of Our History

The following is compiled from several sources including an anniversary book of the church. This brief write-up should help to explain why we are the Stanhope United Methodist Church in NETCONG, New Jersey and give other details of our history.

Methodism in the Netcong/Stanhope area goes back to 1800 when Methodist ministers occasionally conducted services in private homes, barns, a school house, and shops. These early preachers, called circuit riders, formed Bible classes enroute and the Plaster Mill in Stanhope along the Morris Canal was used for one of these classes.

In 1835, the Lockwood Church was built north of Stanhope to serve this community. Ex-New Jersey Governor Mahlon Dickerson, along with the McCain and Smith families gave the land and Andrew Rose, Alex McCain, and General John Smith were prominent in founding the church.

The population growth of Stanhope created a need for another building . This was built in 1843 on land at Linden Avenue opposite Church Street (donated by Mr. Edwin Post). The cost to build it was $1, 214.00. Andrew Rose, M. T. Dickerson and Peter Smith took an active part in this endeavor. The first pastor of this new church, the Stanhope Methodist Episcopal Church, was the Rev. John Scarlet. The church was one of nine on the “Sparta Circuit” which was assigned to one preacher. It served the congregation from 1844 – 1920.

In 1915, the growth of the community and shifting population seemed to demand the building of a new church that would more adequately meet the needs of the congregation. The cornerstone was laid in 1917, just about the time that World War I began. The war prevented the completion of the building and the old Stanhope Methodist Episcopal Church building continued to serve the congregation until 1920, when the new building on the Musconetcong River in Netcong was completed.

The education wing was added in 1965 and named after the Rev. Dr. James Richards who served this church for 16 years. The education wing houses classrooms, a conference room with kitchenette, the church and pastor’s offices.

Last updated June 26, 2009 by Elsie Walker