CENTRE SQUARE CHURCH - UNION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Another church which had an early beginning is the Union Church in Centre Square. This building is a red brick structure, two-and-a-half stories high.The bricks used in its construction were brought from England on a sailing vessel. This edifice was started in 1858 and was completed and dedicated on June 16, 1862. The congregation actually pre-dates the church building by 27 years when the church was founded by the Methodist District and a minister assigned. In the vestibule of the church are pictures of all the ministers who have served this church.

During Hurricane Hazel on October 15, 1955 about two-thirds of the roof was blown off. Friends and members came to the rescue and repair work was soon done. In 1963 central heating and toilet facilities were installed.

For many years the women of this church, as well as those of the Repaupo Church, have been famous for their delicious chicken pot-pie suppers.

Back of the Union Methodist Church is a cemetery. The land for both church and cemetery were donated by John D. Norton. On the headstones are names of families who have played a prominent part in the early history and growth of Gloucester County.

BRIDGEPORT CHURCH - SAINT PAUL’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

As in many other South Jersey communities, Bridgeport Methodism began in a schoolhouse. The first Methodist meetings were held in the old Cooper schoolhouse which was situated southeast of Bridgeport on what was the farm of the late Hollis McCarson. This stone building had been built in 1832 and here the first Methodist meeting was held. Preaching  services were held here by itinerant ministers on this circuit beginning in 1833. John Carson was appointed leader of the class. Great revivals were held in 1836, 1837, 1838 and 1839.

Soon some differences of opinion developed concerning policy of the church. Most of the members held to the Methodist Protestant belief. This strong group separated from those who had originally worshiped in the Cooper schoolhouse. In 1840 they built a frame meeting house in front of what is now and was then the old grave yard on Main Street. The ground on which the church stood is now part of the cemetery.

In 1853 the Methodist Protestants moved their meeting house from the cemetery to what is now the Newton Hughes property on Main Street. This church was used until 1899 when the membership of the Methodist Episcopal and the Methodist Protestant churches were united. The Methodist Protestant Church gradually fell into decay although it was used during World War I to show motion pictures. This church, no longer in existence, formerly stood to the east of the Hughes home on Main Street. After Mr. Hughes purchased the property in 1936 the church was torn down. The bell from the church is now in St. Paul's Methodist Church, where it was used for some time and now restored it rings for services each Sunday Morning

In 1847 through the efforts of the Rev. James Long a new era was opened to Methodism. In 1849 a joint revival was held with the Methodist Protestants which resulted in many conversions. Difficulties ensued and the Methodist Episcopal branch worshiped for four years in various halls on Main Street. This group prospered. In 1854 they commenced building a house of worship which was completed in June 1855. During the years from 1867 to 1869 repairs were made and the parsonage rebuilt.

According to a newspaper article, a new church was built on the site of the old church at the corner of Main Street and Swedesboro Ave. This new Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated on March 1, 1899. This church which is now the St. Paul's Methodist Church was described practically as it is today although renovations were made in 1935, 1940 and 1960. A new organ was installed in 1939, a modern heating system in 1940 and nine stained glass windows in 1951. These additions added to the usefulness and beauty of the sanctuary.

Aluminum siding was applied in 1960, which increased the attractiveness of the exterior. The bell tower was also restored to its original appearance.

SOLDIERS QUARTERED IN CHURCH

During World War II, a group of U.S. Army soldiers who were assigned antiaircraft and guard duty nearby, used the church basement as temporary sleeping quarters after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

St. Paul’s Methodist Church owns and operates the Bridgeport Cemetery which is located along North Main Street. Recently the church has also taken care of the Methodist Protestant Cemetery which adjoins it on the west.

Near the above two cemeteries going north on Route 44 is the Cooper Family cemetery. This is an interesting walled graveyard, and might be a spot that some group would like to preserve.

In 1937 when Route 322 was built, the parsonage of St. Paul's Methodist  Church had to be moved. This parsonage was located on the North west corner of Main Street and Swedesboro Avenue on land purchased from Joseph Richard. This location and parsonage had to be sold to the New Jersey State Highway Department. This house is now the home of the Zizmont family. With the money received by the church, a new brick and clapboard Dutch colonial parsonage was built on land formerly used as tennis courts and wagon sheds in the horse and buggy days. The Rev. L. G. Atkinson was the first minister to occupy the new parsonage.