Adelphia-Bethesda Methodist Church

The organization of the Methodist Society of Monmouth is within two decades of the earliest planting of Methodism in America. This society which is the mother of the Bethesda Methodist Church, was established in 1779, five years before the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized and one year after the Battle of Monmouth, in the American War of Independence.

William M. Smith observes in his  "History of Bethesda:" "this Society must have been founded on faith and continued with courage to produce the growth which has been experienced in Methodism in Monmouth County since 1779." At this time there were only 140 Methodists in New Jersey, but in 1950 Bethesda reported 157 members, more then the entire state when the society was organized. In 1779 there was but one church in Monmouth County, whereas in 1950 there were 49 churches and 16,144 members.

Now for nearly two centuries within the framework of this faithful Christian society, a noble band of Spirit-filled ministers and laymen have fought and won many battles for God. Among such an extended list would appear Asbury, Cooper, Ware, Abbott, Everitt, and Garretson. As itinerant preachers; Rogers, Throckmorton, Clayton, Haveiland, Ketcham, Goodenough, Patterson, Plye, Lane, Tunis, Conine, Bennet, Richmond, Reynolds, and Barkalow.

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