BLOGFINGER staff report:
The historians at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Ocean Grove researched the history of the church located at 80 Embury Avenue and decided to create a self-guided walking tour of the town of Ocean Grove.
They published a booklet (cover above) which offers a fascinating content of places and people, including photographs, that defines what they describe as a “faith-based way of life” in the Grove. The writers are Karl and Pam Schweizer of Ocean Grove.
The booklet says that “Ocean Grove is a vibrant example of ‘living history,’ or more precisely, ‘living Christian history’ much of which can be visually recaptured by meandering through the town and exploring its extraordinary landmarks and scenes.”
As such, the tour provides 24 sites to visit including a number of homes as well as places such as the Great Auditorium, Thornley Chapel, and the Beersheba Well among other locations.
#5 on the list is “The Beegle House” at 113 Mt. Hermon Way which was assigned this new name by the St. Paul writers.
According to the St. Paul’s historians, the Rev. Henry Barnett Beegle (1818-1895) lived at that address. The booklet shows a photograph from that era along with today’s 2018 version. Beegle was appointed Superintendent of the OG Camp Meeting Association after Osborne resigned in 1871. He also served as the first pastor of St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church which was originally located where the Arts Center currently stands.
Photograph used in the walking tour booklet can be found in Ted Bell’s book of Ocean Grove Images. Bell’s photo is not dated, nor is the image in the walking tour booklet.
The tour booklets are available at the Historical Society of Ocean Grove and at St. Paul’s Church.
As for the Beegle House being assigned a historic name, that’s fine, but given the current demographics (the Goldfingers live there,) we can’t help but call it “The Bagel House.”
Here is a link to our article about the 19th century recordings of music in the Great Auditorium.
IRA SANKEY: 1890-1900 Great Auditorium: “Nearer My God to Thee.” From Waxing the Gospel
Someone recently said that we have two Ocean Groves in this town. That seems to be true, especially after reading this booklet which is a fine historic document, but is not accurate in describing the current reality of life in the Grove.
The walking tour booklet says, …”more than its charm, it is the spiritual atmosphere, the faith-based way of life that leaves the truly lasting impression.”
It also says that “Ocean Grove continues to be a haven of spiritual ‘birth, growth and renewal’ dedicated to the Glory and Honor of our Creator.”
Well, maybe that is how the OG Methodist religious community sees it, but that view does not apply to most of the town who actually live here: students, retirees, 2nd homers, business people, and other secular folks who do not buy into those descriptors. Ocean Grove has been evolving steadily for at least the last 10 years, and that archaic view described in the walking tour booklet is simply not how it is for most of us.
Ask any realtor what they are learning from those who are currently buying houses in the Grove. See if that religious life is what attracts new citizens here.
Maybe it is time for the religious community to describe itself other than “Ocean Grove.” Maybe the “Camp Meeting Association/ St. Paul Community” would be more precise in defining this segment of our town.
Rev Beegle is not the only celebrity to live in our house. We wrote about Julia West Howard who sang and danced on Broadway. The link below is about her.
https://blogfinger.net/2017/02/08/when-history-comes-knocking-on-your-door-2/