BEFORE: There is no mention of the Camp Meeting Association–The welcome sign just defines the town as a historic site. Blogfinger. net photo.
AFTER: June 30, 2021. Note the addition of “Camp Meeting Association” following the words “Ocean Grove” “National Historic Site” takes bottom billing. Why the change? Blogfinger.net photo.
Latest boardwalk sign identifying this town. Blogfinger has already reported on such confusion of meaning. Blogfinger photo.
What kind of town will Ocean Grove be in the future? Paul Goldfinger photo. Click to enlarge. 2020.
Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net
It is clear that the OGCMA wants to change the identifying words for this town with an in-your-face “Ocean Grove” title that often is accompanied by “God’s Square Mile,” ” Camp Meeting Association,” “Your Christian Seaside Resort,” and “Christian Beach That Is Ocean Grove.”
Do you know any other town that refers to itself this way? Most towns have churches and/or other houses of worship, but can you find those names on the signs that greet visitors as they enter the town?
Asbury Park has about 40 churches, but their banners say “Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ”
Tom: Yes, “OG and the CMA are historically and currently linked in significant and unique ways.”
But as a result you want to waffle over the issues discussed here, but waffling doesn’t help; it just makes excuses. The “linkages” which you mention should have no clout when it comes to current designations which give the clear impression that Ocean Grove is a “Christian Seaside Resort,” which it is not.
The signs should be accurate because how this district is portrayed publicly influences how the Grove is seen by outsiders. And more than inaccurate signage, the CMA reveals that it wants to dominate in ways that affect the life styles of all who reside here. They should receive no special treatment. Can I schedule a festival on the Pathway for all my old friends and classmates–and have some food trucks as well?
I want to live in small town America, not in a religious enclave. Ocean Grove began as a religious enclave, but it is no longer, despite what the CMA seems to think.
We need a new Master Plan which considers the roll of all groups in town including the CMA.
As for being the next parade Grand Marshal, no thanks. They need to turn the parade into a Neptune-wide event that we can all be proud of. Currently it needs new management, design, funding, and a major overhaul including some marching bands which can do justice to my old friend JP Sousa.
I suggest that Neptune Township run the show and then invite every district in Neptune to come to OG and have a raucous good time. Bring them by the busload and then gather on the Pathway for lunch, picnics, games and swimming. Only one patriotic parade is needed each year.
Like you, I disagree with the CMA on a number of issues but I don’t have a problem with their marketing materials, signage or slogans as it relates to their alignment with Ocean Grove.
I mean, they created OG, at least their Methodist ancestors did. If it wasnt for Osborne, Stokes and all of their buddies the wonderful, unique OG “town” we love today would not exist. (And yes, there have been non-Methodist group contributions as well.) Plus the CMA owns most of the land. In light of this history, they have some credibility in aligning with OG.
Also, although OG is obviously not exclusively christian in any way, it is a unique, significant destination for methodists and christians especially in the summer time. For the most part, its a “one church” town and a unique one at that with multiple significant buildings and programs.
For all reasons above, Im OK with “Gods Square Mile” (historically quaint if not mathematically accurate), “Christian Seaside Resort” (it is right? not exclusively but significantly) and similar.
Anyway, just my humble opinion that OG and the CMA are historically and currently linked in significant and unique ways. But, keep up the good fight. These dialogs are great and a valuable service to the community. I may have to submit your nomination for Parade Grand Marshal.
I usually use the term “enclave” to describe Ocean Grove. Aside from meaning a section, many readers do not know what the word means. Is the unknown
helpful to a side of the discussion ?
When it comes to signage, what appears to be incompatable with a religious-oriented group are the negative signs throughout the enclave with NO’s.–No this, No that. Religion calls us to a higher standard. I am sure creative minds
can change those signs to effective, short positive messages.
Ocean Grove is not an official “permanent year-round Camp Meeting.” There is no such official designation. OG has alway been part of other towns including Shrewsbury, Ocean, and most recently Neptune.
As part of other towns, it uses the name “Ocean Grove,” as other parts of Neptune, such as Shark River Hills do.
Even when it governed the Ocean Grove part of Neptune, it was still part of Neptune Township. It was never its own town like other towns have been such as Long Branch, Asbury Park, and Bradley Beach.
In terms of New Jersey governance designations, there is no such entity as “a permanent year round Camp Meeting.” The CMA might use that title or other similar ones for marketing or organizational purposes, but that’s it. It has no governance over any of us who live here. There is no official religion in Neptune Township. And it should not give such false impressions in its signage.
Many people including Blogfinger often refer to OG as a “town” but it is officially a part of Neptune Township—they call it their “historic district.” The district of Ocean Grove is a place where homeowners pay taxes, own their homes, and have no official allegiance to the CMA other than to pay land taxes to Neptune on land which the CMA owns. And we pay taxes on our homes also to Neptune.
If the CMA wants to put up signs on their land of course they can, but they should not give the false impression that the district of Ocean Grove is an official “Christian Seashore Resort.” It is not that!
Neptune Township should be using its name on any signs that welcome outsiders to the Grove. They should say “Welcome to Ocean Grove–the historic district of Neptune Township.”
The CMA could put up signs on its land saying, “Welcome to historic Ocean Grove, home of the Camp Meeting Association.” That would be accurate and not misleading.
As for Kevin’s lecturing the rest of us to be “tolerant of the CMA,” that is outrageous and inappropriate to say. What is needed in signage around OG is truth, lawfulness, and honesty.
Ocean Grove is a permanent year-round Camp Meeting created to promote the Holiness movement. The OGCMA who owns all the land within the boundaries of OG is not a town but an Association.
The Township we all live in is Neptune not Ocean Grove.
The OGCMA has every right to advertise itself on its signage on its own property representing what it is, a religious organization, anyway it wants and yes, the OGCMA is a national historical site as it is most deserving to be.
The OGCMA doesn’t demand participation in it’s programs but people who choose to live here should be tolerant of them just as we would hope anyone would be tolerant of our own beliefs.
This “retreat” is not a town. It is a place in Panama City Beach whose signs mention nothing about the “Laguna Beach Christian Retreat.” There is no comparison to Ocean Grove CMA promotions.
Google: “Laguna Beach Christian Retreat is located in Panama City Beach, Florida, serving Christian groups and families from all over the United States. Our campus is on the sugar white sands of the Gulf of Mexico on the west end of the beach.”
I notice now that the whole sign was changed and not just the lettering. The top of the before sign (2020) and the present are quite different. Did the Historic Preservation Commission approve this?
The billboard on Main Ave. was erected in 1923 by the hotel owners’ trade group. It has been repainted and likely rebuilt several times. In 1935, something more eye-catching was erected.
“A large neon sign with letters large enough to be read a quarter mile north and south on Main street has been erected in the middle of the concourse at the Main avenue entrance reading “Ocean Grove.” Between the name is a conspicuous red arrow pointing directly toward the ocean and the Main avenue gates. The letters are illuminated night and day by blue neon light and the arrow by red neon light. The sign measures 4 feet by 3 1-2 feet.”
Tom: Yes, “OG and the CMA are historically and currently linked in significant and unique ways.”
But as a result you want to waffle over the issues discussed here, but waffling doesn’t help; it just makes excuses. The “linkages” which you mention should have no clout when it comes to current designations which give the clear impression that Ocean Grove is a “Christian Seaside Resort,” which it is not.
The signs should be accurate because how this district is portrayed publicly influences how the Grove is seen by outsiders. And more than inaccurate signage, the CMA reveals that it wants to dominate in ways that affect the life styles of all who reside here. They should receive no special treatment. Can I schedule a festival on the Pathway for all my old friends and classmates–and have some food trucks as well?
I want to live in small town America, not in a religious enclave. Ocean Grove began as a religious enclave, but it is no longer, despite what the CMA seems to think.
We need a new Master Plan which considers the roll of all groups in town including the CMA.
As for being the next parade Grand Marshal, no thanks. They need to turn the parade into a Neptune-wide event that we can all be proud of. Currently it needs new management, design, funding, and a major overhaul including some marching bands which can do justice to my old friend JP Sousa.
I suggest that Neptune Township run the show and then invite every district in Neptune to come to OG and have a raucous good time. Bring them by the busload and then gather on the Pathway for lunch, picnics, games and swimming. Only one patriotic parade is needed each year.
Adding to the confusion: the tacky Neptune Township flag banners that line Broadway. No mention of OG or CMA in those banners.
Paul,
Like you, I disagree with the CMA on a number of issues but I don’t have a problem with their marketing materials, signage or slogans as it relates to their alignment with Ocean Grove.
I mean, they created OG, at least their Methodist ancestors did. If it wasnt for Osborne, Stokes and all of their buddies the wonderful, unique OG “town” we love today would not exist. (And yes, there have been non-Methodist group contributions as well.) Plus the CMA owns most of the land. In light of this history, they have some credibility in aligning with OG.
Also, although OG is obviously not exclusively christian in any way, it is a unique, significant destination for methodists and christians especially in the summer time. For the most part, its a “one church” town and a unique one at that with multiple significant buildings and programs.
For all reasons above, Im OK with “Gods Square Mile” (historically quaint if not mathematically accurate), “Christian Seaside Resort” (it is right? not exclusively but significantly) and similar.
Anyway, just my humble opinion that OG and the CMA are historically and currently linked in significant and unique ways. But, keep up the good fight. These dialogs are great and a valuable service to the community. I may have to submit your nomination for Parade Grand Marshal.
Respectfully, Tom Costantino
I usually use the term “enclave” to describe Ocean Grove. Aside from meaning a section, many readers do not know what the word means. Is the unknown
helpful to a side of the discussion ?
When it comes to signage, what appears to be incompatable with a religious-oriented group are the negative signs throughout the enclave with NO’s.–No this, No that. Religion calls us to a higher standard. I am sure creative minds
can change those signs to effective, short positive messages.
Ocean Grove is not an official “permanent year-round Camp Meeting.” There is no such official designation. OG has alway been part of other towns including Shrewsbury, Ocean, and most recently Neptune.
As part of other towns, it uses the name “Ocean Grove,” as other parts of Neptune, such as Shark River Hills do.
Even when it governed the Ocean Grove part of Neptune, it was still part of Neptune Township. It was never its own town like other towns have been such as Long Branch, Asbury Park, and Bradley Beach.
In terms of New Jersey governance designations, there is no such entity as “a permanent year round Camp Meeting.” The CMA might use that title or other similar ones for marketing or organizational purposes, but that’s it. It has no governance over any of us who live here. There is no official religion in Neptune Township. And it should not give such false impressions in its signage.
Many people including Blogfinger often refer to OG as a “town” but it is officially a part of Neptune Township—they call it their “historic district.” The district of Ocean Grove is a place where homeowners pay taxes, own their homes, and have no official allegiance to the CMA other than to pay land taxes to Neptune on land which the CMA owns. And we pay taxes on our homes also to Neptune.
If the CMA wants to put up signs on their land of course they can, but they should not give the false impression that the district of Ocean Grove is an official “Christian Seashore Resort.” It is not that!
Neptune Township should be using its name on any signs that welcome outsiders to the Grove. They should say “Welcome to Ocean Grove–the historic district of Neptune Township.”
The CMA could put up signs on its land saying, “Welcome to historic Ocean Grove, home of the Camp Meeting Association.” That would be accurate and not misleading.
As for Kevin’s lecturing the rest of us to be “tolerant of the CMA,” that is outrageous and inappropriate to say. What is needed in signage around OG is truth, lawfulness, and honesty.
Ocean Grove is a permanent year-round Camp Meeting created to promote the Holiness movement. The OGCMA who owns all the land within the boundaries of OG is not a town but an Association.
The Township we all live in is Neptune not Ocean Grove.
The OGCMA has every right to advertise itself on its signage on its own property representing what it is, a religious organization, anyway it wants and yes, the OGCMA is a national historical site as it is most deserving to be.
The OGCMA doesn’t demand participation in it’s programs but people who choose to live here should be tolerant of them just as we would hope anyone would be tolerant of our own beliefs.
This “retreat” is not a town. It is a place in Panama City Beach whose signs mention nothing about the “Laguna Beach Christian Retreat.” There is no comparison to Ocean Grove CMA promotions.
Google: “Laguna Beach Christian Retreat is located in Panama City Beach, Florida, serving Christian groups and families from all over the United States. Our campus is on the sugar white sands of the Gulf of Mexico on the west end of the beach.”
You ask “Do you know any other town that refers to itself this way?”
Here’s one: “Laguna Beach Christian Retreat in Panama City FL”
And can an association be “A National Historic Site”?
So only those who are going to the Camp Meeting Association are welcomed?
I notice now that the whole sign was changed and not just the lettering. The top of the before sign (2020) and the present are quite different. Did the Historic Preservation Commission approve this?
The billboard on Main Ave. was erected in 1923 by the hotel owners’ trade group. It has been repainted and likely rebuilt several times. In 1935, something more eye-catching was erected.
“A large neon sign with letters large enough to be read a quarter mile north and south on Main street has been erected in the middle of the concourse at the Main avenue entrance reading “Ocean Grove.” Between the name is a conspicuous red arrow pointing directly toward the ocean and the Main avenue gates. The letters are illuminated night and day by blue neon light and the arrow by red neon light. The sign measures 4 feet by 3 1-2 feet.”