New Jersey Marathon in Ocean Grove. Paul Goldfinger photo © 2015.
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger,net. (Re-post from 2017 and then 2019)
On August 23, 2017, Newsmax published its top 50 religious landmarks in America. They began their coverage with this:
“Christian pastors and Jewish rabbis and leaders have initiated nearly every significant sociopolitical event in America. Their churches and synagogues were catalysts and hubs that made possible the American War of Independence, the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, and civil rights. They founded schools and hospitals, created architectural wonders, and emphasized the preservation of nature.
“Religious landmarks in most of the original 13 states could easily fill their own top 50 lists, especially the cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. However, these sites exemplify the diversity of America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and commitment to religious freedom — the hallmark of American exceptionalism.”
The statement above is extraordinary and true.
Below is what they said about Ocean Grove. (…ranked #1 among the 50 religious landmarks in America.)
1. “God’s Square Mile;” Ocean Grove, New Jersey; 1869 — This popular seaside retreat, concert, and vacation destination for millions is a lasting testament to the Victorian-era revivalist movement that followed the Second Great Awakening.
“Methodist ministers founded Ocean Grove believing ‘religion and recreation should go hand in hand.’ Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this quaint town is crammed with picturesque Victorian homes, antiques, a historic Auditorium, chapel, and tent community, and offers numerous tours and activities on land, sea, and air. Methodists still gather here regularly as well as other Christian groups.”
Editor’s Note:
This Newsmax designation is huge, at least in the eyes of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. It is a great honor for the CMA, but it perpetuates the myth that Ocean Grove is still a religious community and not a small town with multiple factions including the CMA.
You will notice that OG is the only town on the list. They did not name a true “landmark” such as The Great Auditorium. The rest on the list are mostly buildings from all over America, such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral. So does the religious aspect of OG meet the definition of “landmark?”
And, it is wrong to continue characterizing OG as if nothing has changed, and it is wrong to refer to the religious life here as “Ocean Grove” which is a place where there is more going on than the CMA’s activities.
The CMA is a powerful presence here, but the most salient historic emblems of the town are the Victorian homes which are maintained and paid for by a largely secular and diverse community of residents. Without that Victorian architectural renaissance, OG would not be on this list or the National and State Historic Registers.
This award will have practical consequences, and perhaps our readers would like to speculate as to what these consequences will be.
Here is a link to the Newsmax presentation:
www.newsmax.com/BestLists/top-religious-landmarks-america/2017/08/23/id/809233/
BEN WEBSTER (tenor sax.) “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from the Wizard of Oz.
I grew up in a small Bergen County town–Rutherford, where there are over a dozen churches and one synagogue. But all that religious activity does not qualify it to be named a “religious landmark;”similarly for Ocean Grove with only one church and an active religious organization (CMA).
So what makes OG a religious landmark?
Is it the few old religious buildings here? There are many old religious buildings across America.
It certainly isn’t the criteria mentioned in the award such as the CMA’s historic pioneering founders, its concerts, its “antiques,” its “tent community,” its “picturesque Victorian homes,” its “tours and activities,” or its “regular meetings of Methodists? ”
Or is it because the CMA dominates life around here with all its activities? Their “mission” to promote their religion doesn’t make the town of Ocean Grove a religious landmark.
It probably does make their programs a choice destination for Christians, especially Methodists, but a “landmark?”
Why wasn’t the city of New York on the list with its myriad religious landmarks?
And how about Asbury Park with over 40 churches and never referred to as a religious landmark?
And why was Lancaster, Pa named a “religious landmark?” Is it because a lot of Amish live there?
And when did you ever hear of a category called “top religious landmarks?” This award is contrived as are many of the lists that appear regularly in the media such as when OG was named one of the best beaches in the world.
There’s something fishy about this award.
I believe this will further embolden the Camp Meeting Association to enlarge its presence in Ocean Grove. They have said that they want to expand their year-round programs and to bring more religious people into town. Dr. Whilden said that he wants more places for visitors to stay.
Because the town is so small, this trend will create a smothering effect on the residents of the Grove. It will result in a more monochrome life style in a town that has the potential to be multi-color.
If the CMA has its way, OG will become a 21st century version of the 1870 religious community that it used to be, even without the governance.
And the Neptune Township government will be happy because they will only have the CMA to deal with rather than the unruly rest of us.
And the media will help them because they love the fantasy of a “religious landmark.”