Notice the sign does not say “Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association.” 2020. Paul Goldfinger photo. Blogfinger.net
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net
The above sign at the entrance to town ( 2020) emphasizes that we are a historic town.
But in June 2021, the CMA added a line, above the historic line which says “Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association” implying that we are a religious town.
A line was added in 2021 promoting the CMA.
On the back of the sign is a clearly religious message that everyone sees who leaves town.
Blogfinger.net. 8/18/23
This park-like public setting should be free of religious labels, especially those that might mislead a visitor to town or a newcomer.
Is this a tax free piece of land? If so, how about separation of church and state?
See David Fox article about this topic below
MAX RAABE. “One Cannot Kiss Alone ” The CMA should not act as if it is the only show in town.
Kevin. Of course you are correct, but it seems to me that such private tax-exempt properties, given over for the public use (as with the Boardwalk as a public thoroughfare) should obey all the provisions expected of public spaces such as separation of church and state. –PG
When speaking to the state a number of years ago, trying to pin them down to what properties in OG were actually tax exempt, they weren’t able to give me an answer.
But what they did explain was that there are different types of tax exempt properties.
The OG tax exempt properties fall under privately owned tax exempt property. That is privately owned property dedicated to public use but still owned privately.
The land on which the sign stands is a tax exempt park known as “Main Ave. Gates Park.” This is the remnant of the larger Evergreen Park that included the area between Delaware and Main St. This was reduced on the east by creation of additional lots up to Lawrence. In 1910-11, the Bond St. extension, a bypass for traffic around OG, was built diagonally reducing it further. The western side was given over to commercial use.
The sign in question was donated by hotel owners in 1923 and subject to repainting and rebuilding. By the time of the Great Depression, business was hurting and an additional sign with “Ocean Grove” in blue neon and a red neon arrow was installed in the roadway leading to the gates in 1934.
On the subject of signs, it appears that the “Holiness to the Lord” sign (1894) in the Auditorium may well be it oldest surviving electric sign in the world. Edison erected some temporary signs earlier, but New York City, the leader in this sort of signage, had its first electric sign on the side of a hotel in 1892. This was demolished for the iconic Flatiron Building. Light bulb signs were eventually replaced with neon.