MILLSTONE – An historic structure that dates back to the 1800s has been given new life in Millstone Township.
Restoration work has been completed at the Clarksburg Methodist Episcopal Church on Stagecoach Road in the Clarksburg section of the municipality. The church was established in 1844 and is the second oldest Methodist church building in Monmouth County. The structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The building, which no longer functions as a church, was purchased by the township in the late 1990s and had been used as a location for municipal events and programs. Activities there were suspended after structural issues surfaced several years ago.
According to Township Committeewoman Nancy Grbelja and Pat Butch, the president of the Friends of Millstone Township Historic Registered Properties, issues with the former church have been known since 2010.
Butch cited a leaking roof and a sagging foundation that was caused by rotting wood as the primary issues with the building.
As reported by the Examiner in 2016, the roof was damaged by tropical storm Irene in 2011 and the foundation issues were the result of water leaking into the structure after the roof was damaged.
In December 2015, a $250,000 grant for development and structural repairs to the building was approved by the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders.
Butch thanked Doreen Polhemus, the former township historian and current church caretaker, for keeping and maintaining items from the church that had to be removed during the restoration work.
Grbelja cited Butch, Polhemus and Township Historian Joann Kelty for their work in preserving history and providing a historical education to Millstone’s children. She also praised the volunteers who make up the Friends.
“The volunteers who are part of the Friends have been invaluable,” Grbelja said. “They serve as a model to all other groups on how to get things done and their dedication and selflessness is unmatched.”
To celebrate the completion of the restoration work, the Friends of Millstone Township Historic Registered Properties and the Historic Preservation Committee hosted an open house at the building on June 3.
During the open house, guests had the opportunity to place messages into a time capsule which will be opened in 2069 on the 225th anniversary of the church and Millstone Township.
“I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the team restoring this historic building,” Polhemus said. “This building stands as a testimony to our township’s history and will continue to serve the community well. Many volunteers stepped up to make this project a great success and because of all who stepped up, we are under budget.”
