Seventh-day Adventist activity in New Jersey dates back to 1874, very early in the denomination’s history. Nahum Orcutt (1824-1897) organized a group of nine adults and six children in South Vineland who pledged to support the church through the “systematic benevolence” of regular tithe-paying.

Unfortunately, groups of non-Sabbatarian Adventists had a significant presence in New Jersey during this time and were strongly antagonistic to Seventh-day Adventists. Orcutt held public meetings for the purpose of dispelling the prejudice among these groups and the general public. As a result, he succeeded in laying the groundwork for the first Seventh-day Adventist congregation in New Jersey, consisting of 14 members. This small church requested and received affiliation with the New England Conference in June 1874.

The members were quite active in the early years, contributing Adventist literature to local libraries and reading rooms, and spreading the message whenever possible. The work in New Jersey was handicapped by the lack of a full-time minister; nevertheless converts came in ones, twos, threes, and fives. Although membership was spread over a wide area, Orcutt regarded that fact with optimism, writing, “Our members, 25 in number, are scattered up and down the West Jersey R.R. …What an opportunity to let our light shine!”

Facing Opposition

The Vineland congregation remained strong and stable, spawning a smaller group in Camden. Once again the church in New Jersey faced daunting challenges and obstacles from other religious bodies, and growth slowed. Adventist pioneer Isaac Sanborn (1822-1913) visited the Camden area in 1879, and was dismayed to discover that the group of believers was in a state of disarray and conflict.

Through Sanborn’s efforts, and support from the Vineland congregation, the Camden group succeeded in attaining status as a company, then a church. It was after this—and the inclusion of New Jersey in the newly formed Atlantic Union Conference in 1889—that the Seventh-day Adventist movement in New Jersey seemed to achieve staying power, and an adequate base for spreading the message to previously un-entered sections of the state.

Pastors and evangelists held well-attended meetings in Pleasantville, Paulsboro, and Jersey City. The Jersey City meetings were held directly opposite St. Patrick’s Cathedral, with E.E. Franke leading out, and were the most successful to date. Initially, the Jersey City church consisted of 47 baptized members, with Sabbath attendance reaching 100 and above. In 1895, this church split into two companies which later became full-fledged churches.

As the work in New Jersey became more successful, it endured greater resistance. In 1896, J.C. Stevens planned meetings in Perth Amboy. Even before the meetings began, he was physically attacked by opponents of the message and warned to cancel the series. He refused. Once underway, the group faced a hostile crowd of 200 who surrounded the tent and caused as much disruption as possible. The climax occurred when the mob entered the tent. One of the evangelists, C.H. Keslake, described the situation as “quite threatening. Men stepped into the tent, one especially making use of the vilest language…” But at the height, Keslake reported, “the Lord’s restraining power was made manifest…” and the meetings continued with only a small amount of damage to the tent.

After this, meetings continued relatively uneventfully, and the membership in New Jersey continued to increase. As of 1902 it consisted of 14 churches, two pastors, and 386 active, dedicated members. The affiliation with the Atlantic Union Conference, under President J.E. Jayne, lasted until 1907, when New Jersey became part of the Columbia Union Conference, as it remains today.

A Diverse Church

Due to its proximity to many east coast entry points for immigrants, the New Jersey Conference has always been host to one of the more diverse Adventist populations. Even at the turn of the 20th century a significant minority of the membership belonged to congregations in which the first language was other than English. This continues today, with several major languages represented among New Jersey congregations.

Recent years have seen the New Jersey church become more active and dynamic. “Most of the people who come from different parts of the world have a different philosophy of what it means to be part of the church… They believe it is important to share their faith with others, and they actively work to make that happen,” says New Jersey Conference President LeRoy Finck.

The church in New Jersey has survived, thrived, and shined despite sometimes overwhelming prospects. Looking at it today, it has an even brighter future.

Alan Hecht is the librarian at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists’ Rebok Memorial Library.