With the opening of the cotton mill, iron foundry, and expansion of the glass-making and other industries in the late 1840’s and 1850’s, Millville prospered. Revival swept through the town. In 1853, the First Methodist Episcopal Church became a separate charge (as opposed to being part of a circuit of churches) and was assigned its own pastor. By 1854, the need was recognized for a second church to meet the needs of residents who lived in the “furnace” or “foundry” district. Ground was broken in September, 1855. On September 21, 1856, the basement level of our first 38 x 55 foot building was dedicated, and additional money pledged to complete construction. On April 29, 1857 the completed Second Methodist Episcopal Church of Millville was legally incorporated, with 120 members. Shortly after the dedication, a ten-week revival resulted in 140 conversions. Church growth was so dramatic that the Annual Conference made Second Church a separate charge and appointed 26-year-old Rev. Joseph Crate as our “own” first Pastor. In 1863, the Conference approved changing our name to Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church of Millville.
In the 1880’s momentum began to swell for re-location and/or the construction of a new church building. After some false starts on the building campaign, the Rev. Eli Gifford was appointed Pastor in 1889. At only his second Official Board meeting, he persuaded the Board to finally see the job through. The first stone of the new building was placed on July 25, 1889; the cornerstone laid on August 10, 1889; and the completed building dedicated to the worship of Almighty God on Sunday, April 27, 1890. At the time of dedication, the church chose to resume its original name and again styled itself the Second M.E. Church of Millville.
The completion of the new sanctuary launched a revival service which brought in nearly 100 new “probationers,” or formal candidates for membership. Millville’s most dramatic revival occurred in 1915, under the leadership of Dr. George Wood Anderson. More than 4,000 people were reached for Christ – half of them new converts. Of this number, 102 were baptized and 242 became members at Second Church. In the period after World War I, more than 100 youth joined the church.
A focus on children and youth ministries ushered in the early 1930’s, when between 200-300 children gathered Friday evenings to study the Bible, sing hymns, and enjoy Christian fellowship. In 1939, a denominational merger resulted in Second Methodist Episcopal Church becoming “Second Methodist Church.”
One hundred-twenty-four young men from this congregation joined the armed forces during World War II. The Rev. Emanuel Burkman wrote a pastoral letter to all of them every two weeks throughout the war. In his first year, he also conducted an evangelistic campaign that brought 140 new persons into membership. After the war, Rev. Evan C. Pedrick was appointed Pastor. The boom of the 1950’s began. Church membership exceeded 800. That decade culminated in the construction of our classroom and fellowship hall annex in 1959.
Another denominational merger formed the “United Methodist Church” in 1968. The economic and social changes that have come to our nation and Millville in the following decades have exacted a toll on our church life. But even in trying times, Second UMC has always been blessed with faithful pastors and laity, impacting lives for Jesus Christ.
Today, Second UMC’s membership stands just under 200. Our attendance averages about 120. Basically, we have the number of people with which we began 155 years ago. We take heart from the fact that the believers numbered 120 just before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost launching the dramatic growth of Christianity.
We are a good church, with a glorious past. But, we know we need to grow today! We appreciate our past, and are hopeful about our future. We trust God will grant us the vision to see the opportunities open to us in this, our day, and equip and guide us to the more perfect future he has in store for all who love and serve him.