Waldwick UMC (1979 – now )

The Methodist Episcopal Church in America was first organized at the Baltimore Christmas Conference held December 24. 1784.

Prior to this date expansion of Methodism had been progressing
under the supervision of Francis Asbury whom John Wesley appointed as leader in America.

At this first conference of preachers in Baltimore, Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury were for as Bishops.   Wesley’s foresight was thus confirmed and early Methodism was given proper leadership.

In those earlier days preaching and other ministerial duties were carried on by travelling preachers, called itinerants, who made their long and arduous rounds on horseback.

Richard Whatcoat, who was sent to America by John Wesley, accompanied by Doctor Thomas Coke, was our first recorded preacher.

Our records show that Richard Whatcoat baptized a child ηαmed William Sixton in the year 1791.    But it was thirteen years after the Baltimore Conference that the Paramus Methodist Episcopal Church was organized.

The first trustees being elected March 1. 1797
It is more interesting to note that the old Class Meetings so
common to Methodism were held here as early as 1798. 

The leaders were Brothers Cuddy. Springer. Dodds, Sharp and Van Blarcom.  These men, though not equipped with modern education, did have love and spiritual fervor.

Our first church building was located in the valley to the rear of the “Hermitage” and was reached by a road mentioned in a deed formerly in the possession of L. M. Babcock and dated 1817.

The land extended without break to the pond until the Erie Rcailroad was built about 1849.  The road is still in existence running south from Wyckoff Avenue adjacent to the Grand Union parking lot. At this time, the church was included in the East Jersey District of the
Philadelphia Conference which covered this area until about 18286.
However, in α very few years, our church Fathers decided upon a more advantageous location and on December 18, 1819, the officials voted to erect a new meeting house on A. Ackerman’s lot. This building was known as the “Old Church House” and stood by the trolley crossing near the Bamper house which was located on the N.W. corner of Franklin Turnpike and Wyckoff Avenue.