The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association has filed a lawsuit against a New Jersey United Methodist Church which would require the church to vacate the property immediately and claims the Camp Meeting Association’s right to the property citing deeds going back as far as 1885.
The church, First United Methodist Church of Bradley Beach, was one of the congregations that suffered after Superstorm Sandy. Since then, they hosted Mosaic Ministries and initiated a feeding program for the poor in the community until concerns about building maintenance and safety arose.
The trustees were surprised and alarmed by the filing, and sent a letter of response asking to meet with the Camp Meeting Association to discuss and resolve their concerns and avoid a costly and hurtful legal proceeding. The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association ignored the letter and instead filed another document with the court advising the Bradley Beach Board of Trustees that the church would be liable for any continued renovations to the property.
The Camp Meeting Association claims the deeds indicate that the property is to revert to the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting if it is no longer going to be used as a worship space. The Bradley Beach Board of Trustees plan to continue to use the building for worship and develop other portions of the property.
Click here to read the letter from First United Methodist Church of Bradley Beach.