CAMDEN NJ - Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church

CENTENARY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
aka
Centenary-Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church
115 North 5th Street
Southwest Corner of North 5th and Cooper Streets

Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church was organized March 29, 1866. Services were first held in Odd Fellows Hall at 4^th and Market Streets until completion of the Chapel, dedicated October 11, 1868. The chapel, which can be seen at the left in the photograph below, was designed by John Frazier of Philadelphia.

Construction had begun in 1892 on the building which is known to this day as Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church at 5th and Cooper Streets. The church was dedicated on September 24, 1893. Designed by architect Frank R. Watson, the church was built adjacent to the chapel which had been erected in 1868. The main auditorium seats about 750 in an amphitheatre style. This is a dark sandstone building, the stone being Trenton brownstone.

In June of 1924 the Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church and the Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church consolidated in June of 1924 under the name Centenary-Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church, using the edifice at 5th and Cooper Streets.

In the 1930s, the church maintained a parsonage at 409 Penn Street.

Among the prominent citizens who were members of Centenary and Centenary-Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church were real estate developer John W.F. Bleakly, builder William C. Aitken, Dr. William H. Ireland, and Dr. James E. Bryan, superintendent of Camden's public schools from 1899 through 1931.

Another church member, Richard Knight Aitken, the grandson of William C. Aitken, died while serving with the United States Army during World War II.

Camden Courier-Post - June 10, 1933

Moss-Simmons Wedding to Be Held Tonight

Miss Virginia Foulds Simmons will become the bride of Eric Leonard Moss of this city, at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Simmons, of 27 North Thirty-fifth Street, this evening. Mr. Moss is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Moss of Jamaica, W.I.

Rev. John Pemberton, Jr., pastor of Centenary-Tabernacle Church, of this city, will perform the ceremony, which will take place at seven-thirty o'clock. The wedding march will be played by Howard Tussey.

The bride, who will be given in marriage by her father, has selected a gown of white satin trimmed in lace and beaded. Her veil is of tulle and she will carry roses, sweet peas and baby's breath.

There will be two attendants, Miss Mary Hicks and. Miss Elizabeth Jump, both of this city. Miss Hicks, as maid of honor, will wear a frock of yellow organdie with matching accessories. Miss Jump, as bride's-maid, will wear a similar costume in a peculiar green shade. They will carry bouquets of mixed Spring flowers. Stuart Smith of Camden will be best man.

After July 1, Mr. Moss and his bride will be at home in the Bellevue Apartments, Bellevue Terrace and Haddon Avenue, Collingswood.

Camden Courier-Post - June 29, 1933

Soroptimists to Hold Informal Weekly Luncheons

Although the Camden Soroptimist Club will hold no regular meeting until September, members will gather each Monday for luncheon in the club rooms of the Hotel Walt Whitmann.

These informal get-togethers were begun last Summer and proved such a success that they are being repeated this season.

Mrs. Mary A. Koch is the president, of the club composed of business and professional women of Camden and vicinity.

A picnic supper in the basement of Centenary-Tabernacle M. E. Church, this week, for the Girl Scouts of Camden Troop No. 28, was the final social event on the calendar.

Mrs. Clara Anthony, a member of the club; who is captain of the troop, arranged the affair.

At this time, the annual awards were made to the scouts. Miss Betty Starliper and Miss Isabel McMorrow were presented with gold stars for perfect attendance and Miss Joyce Smith and Miss Sarah Molotsky, silver stars for 90 percent attendance. A medal for good behavior was won by Miss Betty Jones and for neatness, by Miss Marguerite Heritage. Honorable mention for neatness was given Miss Virginia Hahn and Miss Ruth Elaine Sharp.

Camden Courier-Post - February 3, 1938

MINSTREL ARRANGED BY CHURCH PLAYERS

The minstrel troupe of the Centenary Tabernacle M. E. Church will present a show at 8 o'clock tonight at the H. B. Wilson School, Ninth street and Woodland avenue, under sponsorship of the P. T. A.