Memories, Going to Church as a kid

My very good friend Claire Dwier Zarr, noticed in the picture that the stained glass windows not only open from the bottom, but also from the top, she mentioned this to me in an email, which sparked a whole bunch of memories about church as a child in Groveville.

During my childhood almost every one walked to church, mainly because everyone lived local, it was nice there were two services, 8:30 and 11:00, The bell would be rung prior to the service and all the neighborhood hound dogs, would howl. As we walked to church, neighbors would also be walking to church and as you neared church the group would grow, greeting each new addition with a “Good Morning”

After getting your “Church Bulletin” you eventually found your seat, after your parents stopped talking to everyone, it was the same seat, same pew, every week, it’s still that way today, if you don’t show up for church your seat is empty.

As a child in church I was allowed to bring something to occupy myself during those long sermons, that I probably didn’t understand, I was allowed a pencil and a piece of paper, to draw on, if I was particularly “antsy” that Sunday, Mom would play Tic-Tac-Toe” with me, with the paper on the pew, never so someone could see her. Trudy Atkins told me she was allowed a small coloring book and limited crayons.

When we became teenagers, or at least reached the age where we didn’t want to be associated with our parents, some things never change, we sat together in the “Amen” Pew, the back pew in the church in the, alcove. Should we “Act up” our parents would be told and next week we were back with them, like it or not.

For a short time several of us, as teenagers were in the Choir, this was definitely not for our outstanding singing ability, I think it was so our parents and everyone else could keep an eye on us, either that or just to occupy a seat in the choir.

For a while Sunday School was held in the “Old” Community House, I believe as that building grew older Sunday school was held in the church, I remember both. My father, Ken Lippincott, was the Sunday School Leader, or Secretary of the Sunday School there was a short service, which he led, then we broke up in classes by age, Sunday School was not just for kids, it was all ages. Ray Bell still tells me how he can picture my Dad leading the singing, he didn’t sing good, but he sang loud -- and proud, always wore a suit.

I remember as a kid going to church it was so hot in the summer and I still had to wear a tie, just no jacket, now we have air conditioning and I wear shorts. I remember my Dad having to go early to open the church. No air conditioning and no screens in the windows. The nice part was as you walked to church you could hear the piano being played and those that did not go to church could hear the singing and the service, all over Church Street, because they didn't have Air Conditioning either and their house windows were open, too.

To keep you cool in church each book rack on the back of the pew contained The Methodist Hymnal, a Bible and a hand fan, made up of a stick of wood and a cardboard fan, this had a prayer on one side and advertising on the other, "Saul Funeral Home. Hamilton Square, New Jersey"

As I remember only the lady's used the fans and use them they did, they worked up a sweat just using the fan, I think the men were smart, they took advantage of the breeze they created without expending the energy.

Now the windows are never opened, we have Air conditioning; the insurance company requires that they be covered completely with heavy Lexan Plastic on the outside to protect these valuable windows. No one on the outside can hear the beautiful singing and the service from the outside and inside we can't hear the sounds of the outdoors, like happy voices of kids running past or the birds singing. Progress?

When church was over we could not wait to get out of there, get home and get that tie off, of course our parents had to talk to all the same people they talked to on the way in, Why? We had stuff to do, while they were getting religion, we were planning a baseball game for the afternoon.

I know Dad had to get home, he had the collection money, he had to get home, count it, wrap it, write it down in that big Green Book, with the Red Binder, put it in the Green zippered bag, and then get it to the Yardville National Bank, another memory. I thought it was great, my Dad had a key to the bank, what did I know, it was only the “Night Deposit”.

I know Mom and Grand mom had to get home, Mom had to get that Chicken or Roast in the oven, it was Sunday.

As much as I didn’t want to go to church as a kid, it was a wonderful experience, besides all of the other kids in town were there too. The only ones that weren’t there were the Catholics, and it seemed they went to church a whole lot more than we did.

One proud thought is that I have followed in my Father’s footsteps, being active in the church, having held several positions, just like him. Also just like him, I can’t sing either, but I do.

Memories are a wonderful thing.

Groveville United Methodist Church - 175 years old

Circa 1880

In May, 2011, The Groveville United Methodist Church Celebrated 175 years of serving God and the Community. The church has been a focal point of the community since before 1830, worshiping in homes prior to the construction of a church building in 1836.

As part of our celebration we had, on Sunday, May 22, 2011, a service dedicated to the history of the church and the community. We had Pastors from the past speak in church, all recounting their time spent in Groveville. This was followed by a very nice luncheon prepared by our Kitchen Crew.
Fellowship hall was decorated with some great Memorabilia, photos of the Church, the community, the Fire Company, and the Mills & Businesses that made Groveville the place to live.

This celebration was continued on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 with an Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social. Two members of the community, and the church that have gone on to serve in the Methodist Ministry spoke and recounted how the church and the community helped to lead them down the path of life they have chosen, Elizabeth "Betty" Vaneekhoven of the Fieldsboro Methodist Church and Karl Kraft, who has served as Senior Pastor at several South Jersey United Methodist Churches.

There was also entertainment, Judy Mock and five gentlemen of the congregation, George Goldy, Al Herbert, Laddie Srahola, Jack Mock, and Dave Bergeron, performed "Hello Dolly".

Al Herbert - Dave Bergeron - Judy Mock - Jack Mock - Laddie Srahola - George Goldy

Reverend Fran Ballinger holds an Ice Cream Scoop used by Mrs. Naomi Rollings when she ran the Company Store for Morris and Company Mills. This was a Three Cent Scoop. Circa 1897.
A large variety of Ice Cream was served, everyone donated a topping, and a good time was had by all that attended, over one hundred from the church and the community. As the evening wore on it seemed no one wanted to leave, as groups chatted inside as well as outside on a nice cool evening.


A Brief History of Groveville United Methodist Church.1836 - 2011

In 1830, Groveville had only 10 houses in the entire village, but the good people met in their respective homes for worship led by Pastor Thomas Stewart of the Crosswicks Circuit. Then in 1833, a group of Christians led by John Rulon held their 1st meeting for the purpose of forming a committee to discuss the building of a house of worship. It was then to be called the Groveville Meeting House.

It wasn’t until May 25, 1836, that the plans were finalized at a meeting in the old school house on lower “Mill Road.” John Rulon was given a subscription book to be circulated from one Trustee to the other for the purpose of collecting funds.

At the same time, 1 acre of ground was to be purchased from Richard and Samuel Jaques to erect said church. John Rulon was to procure the deed for the same. Signed by: Enoch Knowles, George S. Green, Joseph Forman and John Rulon – Trustees.

Ezeck Middleton was engaged to build the pulpit and altar rail, of which each spindle was hand made with a lathe drawn by Ezeck’s horse. The cost of the pulpit and rail was $9.31. The altar was made from local trees. It might also be interesting to know that wine was used for the 1st Sacrament at a cost of 25 cents and bread for the cost of 5 cents.

On August 28, 1884, the Trustees met under the leadership of Pastor Blackeston to take subscriptions for the purpose of building a parsonage.

The amount required to assure success was estimated at $500.00. The entire project cost should not exceed $1,000.00 The Trustees agreed to buy the lot for the parsonage from John Clymer for $125.00.

On May 4, 1887, permission was given by William Morris to hold services in the Lyceum Hall while additions were being made to enlarge the church. The bid was awarded to J W. Bowers for the changes at a cost of $2,450.00, to be completed by December 1, 1887. Horse sheds were also built by Mr. Anderson at a cost of $55.00 for lumber, plus $5.30 for labor. These were situated where the Education Building now stands.

On August 15, 1887, the cornerstone was laid for the new church and on January 26, 1888, the steeple was erected at a cost of $77.00. The community progressed and on May 10, 1896 the Trustees voted to build 2 more rooms on the parsonage at a cost of $114.00.

During the next 10 years, Groveville quickly increased in population. The factories were working full time. The leaders of the community found it to their advantage to plan organized activates for our village.

On July 3, 1916, the Trustees, lead by the Rev. Charles S. Fees, voted to erect a one story building for the work of the church and community. They obtained a lot from Harry Clymer. J. W. Bowers was awarded the bid at a cost of $2,800.00. Then on September 10, 1917, the Community House was completed. The building served its purpose well as a meeting place for all religious and recreational activities.

With the completion of Groveville Gardens and new homes being built in surrounding areas, our little church bulged at the seams. In October 1956, under the leadership of Rev. David Seeland, a new Education Building was erected on the old Community House site. This was truly a Faith Project, with the estimated cost being nearly $100,000.00. With the initial loan obtained by the Trustees, mortgages were obtained at both Yardville and Bordentown banks. Each month became a struggle to meet out indebtedness. However, the years passed, and with each new pastor, the responsibility of reducing the mortgages was met.

With the help of God and the church community the goal was reached when Rev. Douglas J. Kersey was pastor. The mortgage was burned on September 19, 1974.The next major step was the renovation of the Sanctuary.

Planning began in 1996. The Trustees decided a Handicapped Accessible Ramp was needed for the church. This project was completed in 1997. Of equal importance was the restoration of the stained glass windows. This became a long term project as the renovation of the sanctuary continued. Under the leadership of Trustees Robert Plummer, Carl Frech, George Goldy, Al Herbert, Reade Holzbaur, Jon Kasper, Michael Matecha, Ed Sheldon, and John Wood, the $14,000.00 renovations were completed in 1999, except for the stained glass windows.

On October 5, 2008, with thankful hearts and giving the honor and glory to God, we celebrated the completion of the stained glass window restoration. The project was in the talented and capable hands of craftsman Joe Ratajczak, of Plowman Stained Glass. Mr. Ratajczak began the window restoration in November of 1996 and completed the work in February of 2008.

Under the present leadership of our Trustees: Gary Lippincott, Jon Kasper, Bonnie Adams, Trudy Atkins, Julie Baronowski, George Goldy, Al Herbert, Ron Robinson, and our pastor Rev. Fran B. Ballinger we look to the future of Groveville United Methodist Church with great hope as we continue to serve God and community. Whatever the future holds, we look forward to facing it with “Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors.”.

Adapted from the 1974 Mortgage Burning Booklet and the 1999 Restoration Booklet