Murray Grove News

-- for the schooner of that name which brought John Murray to these shores, and the way we approach our efforts and presence at Murray Grove -

The Newsletter of the Murray Grove Association Volume 11 Issue 1, Winter 2002 - page 3

A Page in History…

Murray Grove House

On the land currently occupied by the Lodge and guest houses at Murray Grove, a three-story white wood-frame hotel called Murray Grove House stood for 65 years. The initial pilgrimages to this site of John Murray’s first Universalist sermon on the American continent came in the 1830s, and in the 1870s the pilgrims decided to build a church here to commemorate Murray and his patron and apostle Thomas Potter. But they also needed a place to stay. By the time the Red Brick Church was dedicated in 1885, they were ready to act on that need. Upon its completion, Murray Grove House became the social center of Murray Grove, as the Church was the spiritual.

murray house The following is a passage from the “Book Of Remembrance,” (on display in our Heritage Room), a collection of history, descriptions, poetry, and dedications, all set out in a calligraphic hand by George A. Friedrich and illustrated with his own water colors. The book is dated January 9, 1949, though the passage itself may be later, and the addendum about the destruction of Murray Grove House in 1955 obviously is.

The first better attended Meeting was in 1885, at the Dedication of the Brick Church. The Guests had to be accommodated in the homes of neighbors and Friends. Meals were prepared and served in a large Tent, but the hoards of Mosquitoes (ten times more than today) make it very uncomfortable. The Memorial Church then was being used as a Barracks during the Night, and then cleaned up in the morning. The Murray Grove House was voted erected, and opened for use August 1890, though not completed until August 1896. The total cost of building was $2972.79, last payment being made October 1st 1903. The Original Building had no Porch, but later same were added in the rear and part of the side. The Dining-room windows had no glass, but were covered with Wire-cloth; heavy blinds had to be put up when it rained. Only Kerosene Lamps and Candles were used.

Toward the End of 1918, it was felt necessary to enlarge the Murray House building, by adding the front Wing with a large addition to the Porch, to entire length, and a handsome Colonial Entrance.

The Lumber used was cut from trees on the Road to the Bay, which Road was also built at the same time.

Rev. Charles E. Petty, the Resident Pastor, was tireless in his efforts to rush the Building and in 1920 spent many Months at the Grove. The New Wing is really a Monument to Mr. Petty….

The blaze which destroyed the 65-year-old Murray Grove House on Aug 11th 1955 is of unknown origin. [It was later suspected that it was due to an electrical short, possibly related to the installation of a new freezer unit.] The three-story Frame structure contained 67 rooms. It burned to the ground in little over an hour.

Mrs. Anna Bergen of Milwaukee discovered the entire third floor in flames, upon investigating crackling noises right after supper at 6:30. There were 34 guests and nine employees there at the time of the fire. All escaped without serious injury.

Firemen from five towns – Forked River, Bayville, Barnegat, Lanoka and Waretown – answered the alarm. The fire was raging by the time the Volunteer Companies arrived and their efforts to bring it under control were fruitless. Hose lines were laid to nearby Clifford Springs when water supply of the various supply trucks was exhausted, but the Structure was a blazing inferno in short time.

The Firemen had to be content to wet down nearby foliage and furnishings hauled from the Hotel before the Roof and Walls caved in. Hundreds of spectators were attracted by the Fire. Long lines of cars were lined up on either Side of the Highway. Mr. and Mrs. Ditton provided Sandwiches and Coffee to the victims and offered shelter, as did others. Those that stayed found ample Shelter in the Ballou House.

It is with sincere gratitude that we thank our 2001 contributors (10/01/00-9/30/01)
John Murray Distinguished Lecture at General Assembly co-sponsors: New York State Convention of Universalists and the Pennsylvania Universalist Convention. Supporters for Homecoming and Heritage Walking Tour: Matching Grant: Unitarian Universalist Funding Program. Super Patrons: Caroline and Nelson Simonson. Patrons: Jane and Theodore J. Fetter, Rev. Rudolph W. Nemser, Jean Wiant. Sponsors: Leigh-Ann and Howard Bennett, Ellen J. Chulak, Frank G. Helman and Marty Peak, David Hunter. Friends: Anonymous, Jean C. and Joseph P. Chulak, Jaynemarie Dayer, Carl and Carol Haag, Susie and John Hook, Rev. Charles A. Howe, Kathryn Kelly, Beth Levenbach, Michael V. W. Masters, Marilyn J. Miss, Wallace Reid, Mae I. Tabbanor, UU Church of Burlington County. Individual Judith Sargent Murray Members: Ellen J. Chulak, Rev. Margaret E. Corletti, Eugene C. Montgomery, Rev. Rudolph W. Nemser. Individual John Murray Members: Rev. Paul J. Boothby, Rev. Thomas A. Chulak, Shirley B. Giles, Rev. Paul G. Hull, Marjorie Roesch. Individual Thomas Potter Members: First Universalist Church (Brooklyn, PA), Rev. Mary Chulak Higgins, Rev. Charles A. Howe, Frank MacArtor, Michael C. Mark, Michael V. W. Masters, Rev. Kathie Davis Thomas. Individual Heritage Members: Frances A. Ambursen, Nancy Bear, Arnold W. Bradburd, Jean G. Davis, Marjory M. Donn, William R. Farnick, Roma Greth, Charlotte S. Gross, Edith L. Hull, Emily H. Kennedy, David P. Kintsfather, Lucy Klaus-Li, Helena J. Milam, Dr. Winifred L. Norman, Barbara R.Norsworthy, Lois A. Morrigan, Jane M. Rohrbach, Elaine K. Smith, Rev. Doddie L. Stone, Nancy W. Van Dyke, Ruth H. Varney, Dr. Joella Vreeland, Rev. Lisa G. Ward, Rev. Katherine H. Winthrop. Family John Murray Members: Jane M. and Theodore J. Fetter, Diane L. Gardner and Dr. Jacob Haun, Jr., Susan F. and John W. Hook III Family, Martha H. Peak and Frank G. Helman, Caroline L. and Nelson C. Simonson. Family Thomas Potter Members: Barbara Q. and Don F. Carter, Rev. Kerry Mueller and David H. Hunter, Lynn Miller and Paul Montigny, Jean Wiant/Andrew N. Kruetzer/Ashley Woodard. Family Heritage Members: Amy S. and Gary W. Bennett, Leigh-Ann and Howard Bennett, Bonk/Brown Family, Hazel M. and Harold E. Burke, Jean C. and Joseph P. Chulak, Sadie G. and William R. Curtis, Jane E. Daniel and Randy Stanislav, Rev. Carol S. and Carl Haag, Doris H. and Robert H. Holtzman, Carol and Perry LeFevre, Jean Bass and David B. MacLachlan, Patricia P. Robison and Dr. Howard R. Patton, Roberta S. and Charles M. Reed, Rose Marie and John R. Scheiber, Mary R. Scripp and Willard C. Frank, Jr., Solu Family, Tiebout/Evans Family, Karen P. and Brian York. Group Judith Sargent Murray -- Joseph Priestley District, Pennsylvania Universalist Convention, UU Congregation of Princeton. Group Heritage Members: BuxMont UU Fellowship, First Unitarian Church of Wilmington, UU Church at Washington Crossing. Additional Contributions made to support the on-going work of Murray Grove: Rev. Margaret E. Corletti; Rev. Kerry Mueller and David H. Hunter, Eugene Montgomery; Charles Dieterich, Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County; Roma Greth; Alberta and Walter Brown; Arnold W. Bradburd, Rose Marie Schieber, Doris H. and Robert H. Holtzman; Ellen W. Studdiford, Lois and Norman Schwartz, Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster, PA, Jean Wiant/Andrew N. Kreutzer, Lynn Miller and Paul Montigny, Rev. Kerry Mueller and David Hunter; Dr. Winifred Norman, Diane Case, Rev. Doddie Stone. Thanks to these folks for volunteering their services and talents: Rev. Susan D. Archer, Robin Becker, Howard A. Bennett, Harold E. Burke, Jean C. Chulak, Joseph P. Chulak, Rev. Thomas A. Chulak, Jaynemarie Dayer, Charles A. Dieterich, Deborah L. Duncan, William A. Farnick, Theodore J. Fetter, Shirley A. Giles, Rev. Harry Green, Carl Haag, Dr. Jacob Haun Jr., Frank Helman, Rev. Mary Chulak Higgins, Rev. Jaco ten Hove, Lucy Klaus-Li, Marilyn J. Miss, Rev. John C. Morgan, Morristown Unitarian Fellowship Coming of Age Group, Rev. Rudolph W. Nemser, Ray Nichols, Caroline Simonson, Nelson Simonson, Rev. Richard Speck, Rev. Kathie Davis Thomas, Nathan Uber, Roberta Wallis, Rev. Barbara Wells, Lisa Ward, Jean Wiant, staff of the UUA, UU Church in Cherry Hill Youth Group, UU Congregation of Monmouth County Coming of Age Group, UU Ocean County Congregation, UU Society of the South Jersey Shore, and donated things we needed: Shirley Giles, Edith Hull, Carol Maher, William Maher, Marilyn J. Miss, the Unitarian Universalist Society in Stamford, CT., Kenneth Weippert.
If we accidentally left your name off of this list, please accept our apologies and let us know. Thanks!

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