A History of the
Green Village United Methodist Church

O ur first meetings were held at private homes around Green Village in 1828 when
Anthony Atwood and David Bartine were appointed to serve the district.
In 1840 a Church was organized and trustees elected. In 1842,
Ellis Parsells and Levi Muchmore, enthusiastic Methodists, returned to the
Green Village area and with the help of Pastor D.W. Bartine of Morristown,
began holding church services at the schoolhouse (then located on Spring
Valley Road across from the Fiacre home on what is now the Billington property).
Through the generosity of William Gibbons of Mead Hall, Madison, The Methodist
Episcopal Church was built near the corner of Green Village Road and Meyersville
Road. It was dedicated on July 6, 1843.

In 1905, the present church's erection was made possible through the
generosity of a man who was not a church member. Philip Cockrem, (also
spelled Corcoran in later accounts), a wealthy, but eccentric farmer of the
village died and left instructions that upon his wife's death, their farm be
sold and the profits given to the church. Mrs. Sophia Frost donated nearly
two acres of land and with entirely volunteer labor the church was built at
its current location. The new building was dedicated during the summer of
1906, with its first Pastor, James Hoffman, earning a salary of $450.00

In 1939 the church changed to The Methodist Church In Green Village.

In 1956 the church had grown so large that it became evident that an
increase in both the physical building size and operating budget was
necessary to maintain a position of leadership and growth in the
community. Fellowship Hall and the lower level Sunday school rooms
were added at that time.

In 1968 The Methodist Church joined with the United Brethren to form
The United Methodist Church.

In 1970 a new baptismal font (built by Bob Scheiderman to match the alter
he previously constructed) was dedicated.

One hundred and eighteen Pastors have served The United Methodist Church
In Green Village, most coming from Drew University, which has maintained
a close relationship with our Church over the century.