Imagine a dream to found a community built upon the foundation of faith, centered around a camp meeting and a congregation. Imagine the energy and vision that enabled several brothers to see a thriving village, a beautiful gathering spot for renewal and relaxation where the barrier islands now called, Ocean City, at the heart of which is a congregation called St. Peter's United Methodist Church.
In 1879 four Methodist ministers, Ezra B. Lake, James Lake, S. Wesley Lake and William Burrell chose the island as a suitable spot to establish a Christian retreat and camp meeting, on the order of Ocean Grove. They met under a tall cedar tree which stands today at 6th Street and Asbury Avenue. Having chosen the name “Ocean City”, the founders incorporated the “Ocean City Association”, laid out streets and sold lots for cottages, hotels and businesses. The Tabernacle was built between Wesley and Asbury Avenues and between 5th and 6th Streets. Camp Meetings were held by the following summer.
On October 13, 1880 with the presiding elder of the Bridgeton District, the Rev. Charles E. Hill, there was a meeting in the hall of the Ocean City Association for the purpose of forming a church. It was named the St. Peter’s Methodist Episcopal Church of Ocean City. Later the name was changed to the First Methodist Episcopal Church and at its 100th Anniversary renamed St. Peter’s United Methodist Church of Ocean City.
In October 2005 we celebrated our 125th Anniversary.