100 Years of History
Through incredible challenges and storms, enduring commitments in leadership and service, and deep partnerships with families and our beloved town, Grace Calvary Church achieved so much in its century-long history.
How? With a desire to glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31), in an environment ripe for infrastructure and God-led ministry, and with a clear vision and mission. Habakkuk 2 says,
“Write down the vision
and inscribe it clearly on tablets,
so that one who reads it may run.”
Our founders did just that—for the church, the fire department, and the town: they wrote it and ran with it!
The stories shared here are highlights and by no means exhaustive. The ties that bind run deep, especially in the early decades of our collective community.
100th Anniversary Service (Playlist)
1910s
Historical Context and Building Origins
In the midst of World War I, Long Beach Island experienced the fallout of off-coast enemy attacks on ships. The subsequent pandemic killed nearly as many as the war itself, while culture was shifting, leading to Prohibition and women’s suffrage.
Our building’s origin has a few differing stories. In one account, salesman John Schill, “inspired by Billy Sunday,” began reaping a spiritual harvest. He collected loose change from train passengers traveling from Philadelphia to LBI, which became the fund for the lot where our chapel stands today. In John Sinnamon’s version, Alfred Clark, superintendent of Water Works, first suggested that Schill build the church, and in 1916 gave him $10 to do so. Whichever way the building came about, we’re certainly glad it did!
1920s
Sunday School on Porches and Train Station
In the summer of 1921, before the church was built, about 22 believers gathered for Sunday School on local porches, including Joseph Young Sr.’s on 18th Street, Mollie Robinson’s, and Mrs. Carl Hensley’s. Mrs. Hensley also held song fests and fellowship in her home. As the Sunday School grew full over the following year, they moved to the Beach Arlington train station after the Sunday train passed through.
Average attendance grew to about 27 from a variety of denominations. Bazaars, carnivals, and other projects continued to raise funds. A Catholic friend held a dance and card party in her home and sent proceeds for purchasing the lot. In 1922, the church established a board of trustees ahead of the purchase, in addition to fire department trustees and a building committee.
The train station was converted to the first Ship Bottom Fire Company in 1922. Union Church, as it was named, continued its Sunday School there and shared the cost of dishes for events with the firehouse’s Ladies’ Aid. Many pastors from numerous denominations spoke at services throughout the 1920s.
Fire Department and the Church
Much of the original fire department, as seen on a firehouse plaque, was active in the growing church:
Oliver Cox, Trustee/Treasurer
Joseph Baily Jr., Trustee & Assistant Superintendent, Sunday School 1934
Willard J. Miller, Trustee & Recording Secretary 1934
Bea Gurtcheff, baptized by and married William Shanklin (late 1930s–1940s)
Eleanor Gustafson donated for a pew
Robert C. Brown, President of 1922 Fire Department (may be related to T. Colby Brown, Treasurer at Union Church)
Catherine Magee, one of the first Sunday School attendees, 1921
Church Construction
With lumber provided by Conrad Brothers, the church was built in 1924 for $2,450. As seen in photos, a bakery across 19th Street smelled delicious on Sunday mornings. According to Dave Wark Sr.’s wife, who later became a town tax collector, the church and firehouse were the community’s center of activity.
Alfred Clark helped install a 1500-pound bell alongside Mayor Willard Miller, John Pharo, Charles Cox, David Wark, and Moses Freidel, all of whom helped with overall construction. Charles Conrad generously donated the bell and a pew in memory of Wilkinson G. and Martha Conrad.
Groundbreaking Ceremony
The chapel’s groundbreaking consecration took place on August 31, 1924, with 300 attendees. John A. Schill was Master of Ceremonies and read the church’s history. Rev. U.J. Smiley (D.D. of Dormont Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh) made an address and raised $850 with a plea for funds. Rev. A. Parseles of the Methodist Evangelical Church of Beach Haven read Scripture, followed by singing from the Harvey Cedars YWCA.
After Rev. Smiley prayed, John Schill was given a silver-plated shovel with a gold plate inscribed with the date. He dug the first spadeful of dirt, and each trustee followed. The event included a patriotic procession from the firehouse with children marching and singing “Onward Christian Soldiers.”
In 1925, Bonnie Beach, Bonnet Beach, Edgewater Beach, Beach Arlington, and Ship Bottom incorporated to become Ship Bottom-Beach Arlington. The first mayor and council met in the firehouse before moving to the Andersons’ garage. Here, too, was an overlap of names associated with the church, including Willard Miller, Raymond Cox, John R. Pharo, William Petzelt, Harry Cox, Alfred Clark, and Chris Gurtcheff.
John A. Schill’s Legacy
John Schill lived in the second cottage behind the church. He remained a member and served on the board as treasurer and Sunday School Superintendent. The Silver Jubilee anniversary included a memorial to him, noting he “finally attained a reality of his favorite text: ‘I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus’ (Phil. 3:14).”
1930s
The Great Depression brought widespread property tax delinquency and home loss, with the township submitting to the state for emergency relief for 13 families.
Pastor John Sinnamon
Rev. John Sinnamon, deeply rooted as a trustee, became Union Church’s first ordained pastor. Born in Belfast in 1864, his memory was phenomenal, and he could recite Scripture until his death. Nicknamed “Pious John,” as he was a friend of “Pious” John Wanamaker, he was an outspoken industrialist and evangelist. Sinnamon preached powerful, comprehensive sermons on Revelation, and his wife Caroline played the organ and piano.
Church Growth with John Sinnamon
During Sinnamon’s tenure, the church was incorporated and named Union Church Beach Arlington-Ship Bottom. Bylaws amended the board to 13 members. The building was painted, upgraded with a new bell and heat stove, and the front area was paved. Russell Sinnamon presented a wooden sign that was placed near the entrance in 1933. The church also purchased fire insurance and hired a custodian in 1934.
Men held a fundraising turkey dinner netting $291. The Ladies’ Aid group raised outreach funds for those in need and for fellowship activities. There was discussion of trussing the inside of the church, but it is unclear whether this work was completed. Rev. Sinnamon took an ocean voyage in September 1935 and resigned in January, but he was a guest at the 25-year anniversary as Pastor Emeritus. He passed away at 96 in 1960.
The church held services Sunday mornings and evenings. Its first wedding was performed on June 17, 1930. In August 1932, the bank note on the property was paid and a new deed obtained. Discussion began in September about an expansion to the side featuring a kitchen, drop table, and two toilets, estimated at $600.
In 1935, James and Clara Lawson painted a mural inscribed with Psalm 107:23-24: “They that go down to the sea in ships: These see the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep.”
Pastor Jack Kilbert
John “Jack” Kilbert was a graduate of Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. After serving as assistant pastor at Geiger Memorial Church for two years, he began his ministry at Union Church in April 1936, promoting it as “everybody’s church.” His salary was $150 plus expenses yearly as he traveled to and from Philadelphia. He rented Mrs. Anderson’s home as affordable housing became an issue, and he personally cleaned the church weekly.
The 40th-anniversary booklet states that “one cannot think of the hymn ‘Rescue the Perishing, Care for the Dying’ without remembering Jack administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to save a dying child. He donated his life’s blood in many attempts to save not only souls, but lives.” He didn’t have Rev. Sinnamon’s oratorical gift, but he had a way with young people. He used social hours to raise funds for refreshments, and baptized many in the bay who later remained members with their own kids.
During Kilbert’s tenure, revised bylaws required church members, instead of trustees, to elect new trustees. In addition, he upgraded the church’s building through generous donations. He raised funds for a lavatory as trustees converted the backroom stove to coal and purchased two oil burners. He also led an organ fund, replaced old pews, and encouraged the dedication of the new ones. A large donated sign on the Causeway advertised the church, Grace Day donated bells, and 50 donated chairs were used for fundraising dinners.
During this time, Mrs. Aga Johnsonian served as pianist, Mrs. Buchwald and Clara Hollings carried on children’s ministry through the winter, and Mr. Seward continued Wednesday and Sunday night programs. In 1936, a Tom Thumb Wedding and musicals were held to draw people to the church with entertainment.
It is unclear if Mrs. Marlin was a benefactor or a banker, but she seemed to be the person the church turned to for short-term loans with quick notice. She is recorded as having given back interest payments for the purchase of pews. We have a pew dedicated to Arthur Marlin by his mother Anna.
Jack Kilbert resigned in August 1940 to marry in Washington state. He died in World War II at the Battle of the Bulge while serving as Chaplain. The church was heartbroken but knew his soul was with the Lord. The church held a memorial service for him on July 1, 1945, where Rev. Emeritus John Sinnamon prayed, and good friends James Shanklin, George Harrison, and Mr. Bradway spoke. The second pew was dedicated in his memory. Many friends, relatives, and visitors attended.
1940s
A 1944 photo from Ship Bottom shows mayor Willard Miller around a table, presumably in the municipal office, with John Pharo, Fred Klein, William “Scotty” Ackland, Joe Baily, and Charles Moore. They were all trustees of Union Church, and most had been involved in both the church and town for many years:
The Klein family gifted the chapel lights in memory of Mrs. Fred Klein, mother of the future mayor Frank Klein. They were persistent workers for the church.
Scotty Ackland, known for his hearty handshake and bringing many to the Lord, taught Sunday School at 83 years old in 1964 and greeted into the 1970s. He also started the LBI Festival of Lights and was a town tax collector and treasurer.
Joe Baily would become council president in 1954.
Charles Moore was a trustee who later became mayor in the 1950s.
The Church and World War II
During World War II, German subs sank ships off the coast. Barbara Shinn Wick shared, “Our beaches looked like clay. We had Crisco at the back door to get the stuff off our skin. It was like a marble cake with all the oil coming. It was a good number of years before the beach looked clean.”
Germans surfaced subs and rowed rafts to shore. Barbara’s husband performed horse and beach patrols. She continued,
“They had key posts every so many blocks where they had to phone in. If they didn’t phone in, they came to look and see.” “I was babysitting our doctor’s family two blocks up and a body washed up…”
“At Barnegat Light a German sub had come in right in the middle of one of our ships and the boys that were in it were taking showers and when they came in they were naked and just covered with oil. Yeah, it was real.”
On February 21, 1943, Pastor Bradway requested mayor Willard Miller and council to join Union Church at a patriotic evening service. Miller urged everyone to attend. They celebrated the Battle of Stalingrad, where the last of the German 6th Army surrendered. The town sent a representative to Amherst College to attend the 10th Class War Department Civilian Protection School and learn about combating gas bomb effects, self-aid methods, health emergency welfare, and air raid warden services.
On Easter, soldiers from the New Gretna army camp invited organizations to hear them perform spiritual songs to a large audience. Elsa Bartlett of Tuckerton was their pianist. Private 1st Class Charles Walker and Private John Jones were featured soloists.
Sunday evening programs continued all summer. At the end of the war, July 4 events in town included aerial bombs, a baby parade, swimming, pie-eating contests, a bather’s parade, and a firehouse dance, held on Central Avenue between 25th and 26th Street.
Pastors and Development in the 1940s
Arthur Downer and Chris Gurcheff, representing the town’s men’s club, petitioned to change Ship Bottom-Beach Arlington to simply Ship Bottom. Throughout the 1940s, a variety of itinerant pastors served the church and often served in more than one church in the area.
George Harrison was appointed temporary pastor from August 1940 to 1942. He addressed the church’s physical foundation and paint. Organizations included Ladies’ Aid, Young People, Sunday School, and an oyster supper fundraiser. He purchased an orgatron (electrostatic reed organ) for $845 and had it delivered from Philadelphia. Ladies’ Aid and Sunday School funds contributed $250 towards it.
Due to fuel shortages, Pastor John Bradway (1942-1946) closed Sunday evening services in the winters. On August 14, 1945, the church prayed on VJ day and declared August 19 a day of prayer.
William Salverda (June 1946—January 1949) was a student preacher who purchased lots adjoining the church for $3,000 in late 1946 to 1947. Sunday School contributed $500, Ladies’ Aid $700, and the rest was raised. He also installed an oil stove. He was very tall, at about 6’7”. When he got married, the church gifted him $200, and Rev. Jim Shanklin stood in during his honeymoon. On July 25, 1948, the church held a groundbreaking for a new Sunday School and parsonage.
Rev. Jim “James” Shanklin became acting pastor in February 1949 after Salverda’s short-notice resignation and was ordained in July. A dear friend of Jack Kilbert, he purchased insurance for the buildings and took a loan to finish them. He previously helped the youth ministry during the three prior pastorates and started a vested youth choir.
During his tenure, Shanklin discontinued programs from September to Palm Sunday. He met his wife, Bea Gurtcheff, when she came to Christ through his preaching. Her mother was a faithful member of the church, and he asked Bea out to dinner while baptizing her. Shanklin later served at Manahawkin Baptist Church.
Union Church gave gift baskets to the needy, candy canes and oranges to all at Christmas programs, and distributed canned food for Thanksgiving while holding music and prayer services. Pastor Bradway and his family also received a basket.
In September 1949, the church held a 25th-anniversary service and dedicated the new Sunday School rooms. The service, with a message on “Facing the Future,” featured a reenactment of the original consecration. Shanklin presented John Sinnamon with an 85th birthday gift, and Mary Buckwald received the golden shovel for the first scoop of soil. She was an early trustee, still served alongside Mrs. Pharo, Mrs. Klein and others, and taught Sunday School.
1950s
In the post-war economy and baby boom, Union Church and its community continued to grow while facing challenges among governance and pastoral changes. A grade school opened in town, and a new parkway and four-lane bridge increased access to the island. Charles Moore became mayor in 1952, and the church had a variety of pastors throughout the decade.
Pastor R. Mortensen (1951–1954)
After Shanklin resigned in 1951, R. Mortensen was hired. He added a vestibule to the front entrance and installed a new heating plant, roof, and siding for about $4,000. Three board members died within a short time, presenting issues in the replacement process. Appointments and legal advice resulted in rewriting bylaws. Mortensen stepped down in 1954, but remained a member.
Pastor Albert Runge (July 1954–1955)
Albert Runge was appointed for the summer of 1954 and agreed to step aside if a candidate desired a Sunday. He was ordained in March 1955 as the church explored options for a new parsonage. Opting for empty lots on 15th Street, it was completed in January for $8,845. The vote for Runge split 27-23 amidst issues over invalid ballots and Runge’s qualifications.
Pastor William Bentley (January–December 1957)
William Bentley’s pastorship was described as “controversial.” The highlight of his year was a visit from Mr. Saint, the father of one of five martyred missionaries who lost their lives at the hands of the Auca Indians. Membership dropped from 77 to 52. A variety of pastors filled the gap between him and Albert Morris.
Pastor Albert Morris (1957-1962)
Albert Morris and his British wife Lily were well-loved. As his successor wrote, “he strongly advised the purchase of two buildings adjacent to the church. He was a theologian of stature whose philosophy was tempered with great common sense and an uncanny ability to take the pulse of the times.” He passed away in the aftermath of the March storm of 1962, and Lily died a year later.
1960s
Union Church prevailed through destructive storms and pastoral loss in the tumultuous 1960s. In 1964, the church celebrated its 40th anniversary. Frank Klein, son of Fred and Irene Klein, was mayor.
Pastor William Magsam (1962–1967)
William Magsam of Bayville replaced Albert Morris after his death. Magsam’s voice was reflective of “old-time religion” and “the faith of our fathers.” He called himself a country boy and loved flowers, so he had them planted in front of the church. His singing was strong and forceful. During the 40th-anniversary service, a hymn was dedicated to him:
“Open wide the gates of Union;
Welcome, Christian passing through;
Joyous are saints, in sweet communion;
Brethren in Christ are we with you.
Enter with praise, this congregation,
Sing with joy of his love so true,
Welcome to each denomination:
A glad reunion to you!”
Another special moment was burning the mortgage on the Sunday School building. In 1965, the front steps were removed and a narthex built. Magsam’s tales, always beginning with “when I was a boy…,” were often remembered in following years. He served as Pastor Emeritus, attended the 50th anniversary, and died in Bayville in 1980.
Pastor Magsam highlighted some “old-timers” still around during his time:
Oliver Cox enhanced the church and landscape.
Rose Welch, original trustee, planned for the 40th anniversary.
Clara Lang’s son placed flowers at the altar in her memory.
Charles Lang served as Associate Welfare Board Assistant under boro clerk Helen Ludwig in 1951, president of the fire department, and Zoning Board of Adjustment in 1956.
T. Colby Brown and Joseph Baily passed away, but Colby was remembered for his kindness and generosity. Mr. Baily had quiet dignity and common sense. His son Joseph, who had a boatyard business, attended the anniversary.
Mrs. Dawson Burns, who wrote the original history of the church at the 25th anniversary, was still a member. The Young People’s evening service flourished under her leadership.
Pastor Duane Johnson (1968–1973)
Duane Johnson started his tenure with a review of potential affiliation with the American Baptist Churches. Duane was a student at Eastern Baptist Seminary and came to the church with his wife.
Increased membership enabled him to pursue numerous projects. A youth fellowship called The Lighthouse met on Saturday evenings. A program called Hobby Crafts carried on into winter for children. Johnson suggested making a study in the building and allotted funds for expanding the altar and choir loft, carpeting the floor, refinishing pews, and installing an amplifier. Upon graduation, Duane was called to pastor a Baptist church in Ohio, but he would return to Union in 1975.
1970s
The 1970s were marked by rising terrorism, political upheaval, and cultural change. The church, fire department, and town marked the 50th anniversary ahead of the nation’s bicentennial and end of the Vietnam War. Robert Nissen was mayor for 23 years.
Pastor Gary Moore (1973–1974)
Gary Moore and his wife Linda came from Eastern Baptist Seminary, where he graduated in 1974. The church grew in both number and enthusiasm. There were group meetings for Bible study, prayer, Ladies’ Aid, choir, men’s fellowship, and other functions. The church was rarely empty in the evenings. Upon completing his studies, Moore accepted a position out west, leaving Union Church needing a pastor.
Throughout the 1970s, Union grew from a seasonal resort church to a business with all kinds of year-round activities. Scotty Ackland, now 93, still taught adult Sunday School and was a chairman of deacons. Union Church, richly blessed, was looking toward a bright future with plans to expand. Pastor Moore specialized in helping churches transition in difficult times and served as an interim pastor in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maine.
Pastor Duane Johnson (1975-1982)
Duane Johnson returned and formed a building committee that presented a two-story building separate from the original structure, featuring a fellowship hall on the first floor and Sunday School on the second. Appropriations were made, and one of the Sunday School cottages was demolished in 1978. Other work included re-siding, and without enough funds to restore the original 1935 mural, it was covered with drywall.
Sunday evening services ran from May to August, led by various people. In June 1979, Union Christian Academy approved the use of the ACE curriculum. Johnson went for ACE training in Dallas in April 1980. The church was robust with trustees, elders, deacons, and a missionary council as mission giving doubled.
In the 1978 directory, Johnson left an encouraging message for the future, closing with:
“Let us face the future with great expectations—conscious that God lives and loves, that Jesus Christ seeks and saves, that the Holy Spirit indwells and empowers those who believe and receive him.”
1980s
A strong US economy spurred the “yuppie” decade. Union Church became Grace Calvary Evangelical Church and faced difficulties as the Iron Curtain crumbled. In 1982, Doris Marine thanked the town, for setting up Easter service benches, and Patrolman Miller, for the positive impression he left on members after responding to a call one Sunday. The church completed its last addition in 1983.
Pastor Jack Hurley (1982–1989)
Jack Hurley was a Vietnam veteran and jet pilot from Omaha with a BS from University of Omaha and MS from Trinity College. He was selected as pastor with a 3/4 congregational vote and a unanimous elder vote in August 1982.
Mr. Rahn, whose wife was a principal, was hired to run Union Christian Academy as an approved church ministry in 1980. By 1983, its support waned, with discussion about moving it to the telephone building. The congregation ultimately voted to close it in 1984.
The new Sunday School building, discussed ten years earlier, was completed in 1983. The church received an inheritance of $400,000 in 1984, prompting discussion of purchasing property on the mainland. In 1986, property consisting of 16 acres between Hilliard Boulevard and Beach Avenue was deeded for $150,000 and plans were drawn.
The congregation carried a motion to sell the church and parsonage to Ship Bottom and save the proceeds to pay for Pastor Hurley to build a home. The church was advertised for sale at $850,000.
In 1986, Union Church was renamed to Grace Calvary Evangelical in a heavily favored vote. Gus Gunther resigned as elder and Tom Ewing was appointed trustee with no additional elders appointed at the time.
In 1987, the church ran two services in the summer. Activities were on a single-event basis as membership declined. The proposed budget had no mission allocation, and the congregation voted to tithe. Hurley’s salary was restructured and his retirement allotment eliminated because of tax changes and house assets. Owning his newly-built home provided him equity. He sold the parsonage in January 1988.
In October 1987, Hurley addressed the congregation regarding governance, presenting elder governance as biblical. A revised constitution was approved in February 1988, but division grew. Hurley proposed a relationship with a Marlton church through joint fellowship and special speakers.
In January 1989, a realtor suggested dividing the Manahawkin land and selling a part. Hurley expressed that God did not intend for selling the church and considered how to leverage it as a bookstore or conference center or lease it so they could rent on the mainland.
By September, Hurley announced receipt of a contract on the church for $550,000, feeling the “lampstand of authority to operate a church in the area had been removed,” and that the church should reconsider moving to Phoenix, Arizona. The congregation split. Hurley’s vision was not theirs. For a time, the dissenting congregants gathered at the BHW Rec Center, and later the Holiday Inn. In the end, Hurley and his wife left for Arizona, along with Robert Neubauer, and sold the home they built on Hilliard.
Despite all that transpired, trustee Doris Marine, who spearheaded the dissenters, noted, “I cannot say Mr. Hurley is all wrong. He is a wonderful Bible teacher. His gift is teaching. He studies the Hebrew and the Greek and is continually researching.”
1990s
In a decade of continued political, cultural, and technological change, Grace Calvary continued struggling with its identity. Doris Marine enlisted Dave and Pat Wark to return and help restore the church.
Pastor Denny Barger (1991–1994)
Denny Barger and his wife Sue arrived in March 1991 at a 16-member church struggling in brokenness. They were missionaries running Bibles behind the Iron Curtain and sharing God’s word in Cairo. Denny finished seminary in Myerstown, PA when he heard about the opportunity to pastor on LBI. Doris Marine spoke to him by phone and knew right away that he was the man the church needed. Upon his arrival, the number of members more than doubled in his first year.
Doris Marine passed away that winter, and a memorial service was held with a packed house in December 1991. She served on the missionary council in the 1950s and as a deaconess in later years. The Bargers welcomed their fifth child in February 1993 and dedicated him later that month.
Meredith Braun reached out to the 1984 Pipeline Masters Champion Joey Buran, who was also in ministry in California. He came and initiated a surf camp outreach through the church in connection with the surf shop next door.
Carol Thompson, 6th-grade teacher at Lighthouse Christian Academy, established the high school Ocean Christian Academy in 1994. Grace Calvary temporarily provided space for it as the borough approved the finishing and use of the addition’s second floor.
About 22 people were baptized during Barger’s tenure, and 18 accepted Jesus, either in church, at a New Beginnings concert, or at a neighborhood evangelistic Bible study led by the Warks and O’Hagans.
Calvary Chapel Affiliation
While new people were coming, different backgrounds and opinions stirred up issues. Some took issue with modern services and sought more subdued churches. Others felt it was not Pentecostal enough. A verse-by-verse preacher, Barger expressed that an affiliation might help them navigate. The elders explored options, and Joey Buran noted Calvary Chapel might be a good fit. Barger listened to them on the radio and reached out to Oden Fong. Later, he and his wife met Charles Smith at a conference.
When they returned to share the prospective affiliation, they renamed the church to Grace Calvary Chapel, associating it with the non-denominational evangelical churches of Calvary Chapel. Those who came through the near-loss of the church in the 1980s anxiously expressed concerns.
Barger prayed about the matter and resigned in May 1994. Assistant Pastor Alex Dodi stayed, and two-thirds of the members left. Since then, Denny’s calling has been in the Middle East. He continued as a missionary, founder of Saar Fellowship Evangelical Theological Seminary in Barnegat, and guest speaker at Calvary Chapel in Old Bridge.
Pastor Alex Dodi (1995–2002)
Pastor Alex Dodi, his wife Jean, and their budding family started attending Grace Calvary in 1990. He loved the people and preaching, worked with Dave and Pat Wark at Dave’s Appliance, played bass on the worship team, and ran the youth group with his wife. He was installed as a deacon under Pastor Barger and attended Philadelphia College of Bible while working for the Warks. During this time, the church was renamed to Grace Calvary Church.
Alex was ordained in December 1994 with a message given by Rev. Mike Estra and singing by Tom Sargent. When Pastor Barger resigned in 1995, Alex became Senior Pastor through a congregational vote. The church had 22 members, mostly seniors. Half of the congregation left with Barger. Though the core membership was small, they were active. Alex looked to the Lord and prayed “Less of me, more of you.” He wanted plurality of leadership in the church and focused on Ephesians.
Throughout his tenure, Pastor Dodi strived to stay true to the biblical roots of the early church. He and his children (Alex, Jenna, and Michaela) lived in Waretown while at Grace Calvary, and both Alex Jr. and Jenna were baptized there.
2000s
Pastor Dave Murdock (2003-2007)
Dave Murdock and his wife Diane came to Manahawkin after he finished seminary in Colorado. He was a pastor at Manahawkin Baptist Church from 1973-1982 and met Jim and Bea Shanklin, who were involved in the pulpit committee that reviewed and selected him. He then became acquainted with Union Church and met Gary Moore.
While at MBC, Dave was instrumental in establishing Lighthouse Christian Academy and moved it and MBC from its brick building on Route 9 (now the library) to its current location on Hilliard. MBC influenced the establishment of Island Baptist Church and Forked River Baptist Church. Dave also met Bob and Nancy Wick in the 1970s. In his words, “Bob was pretty amazing,” and instrumental in both televising and radio-broadcasting Dave’s sermons on WJRZ and WYRS.
From 1982-1987, Dave was pastor of First Baptist Church in Wheaton, Illinois. He was then called to First Baptist Church in La Crescenta, CA until 1995 and drew 1,200 people to church over two services—a pinnacle for him. In retirement, he pastored a small church in Charlotte County, VA, near Diane’s family who then decided to move back north to West Creek. Once there, Dave was approached about pastoring Grace Calvary in December 2002, and he accepted.
In February-March of 2003, David Ash was hired as Associate Pastor to help with outreach. This marked the first time Grace Calvary had two full-time pastors. The Wicks and others familiar with Murdock came from local churches. By summer 2003, attendance was 160-225. The church held beach studies 10 weeks on summer nights, where passersby could sit in and spontaneous baptisms were performed.
At the end of 2003, the church took in $190,000 in offerings, giving it a $40K surplus. It was more than sustaining—it was growing. Murdock and Ash’s installation in January 2004 had 170 attendees. Numbers continued climbing, bringing in as many as 400 on a Sunday. Easter sunrise services had over 200 people.
Peter Gowesky started as a youth pastor in March 2004. Among others, Grace Calvary supported the missionary Monique Ladoz of Widows Might, who is Murdock’s son’s mother-in-law. Building improvements included flooring, AC, and painting.
Pastor Murdock often concluded sermons with Ephesians 3:20-21:
“Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever, Amen.”
Associate Pastor David Ash (2003-2007)
David Ash was raised in a Presbyterian church in Haddonfield where his dad was an elder. Growing up, his family summered in Harvey Cedars. His earliest memories at Union were during Jim Shanklin’s tenure, “when the church was an L shape.” He remembers elder Scotty Ackland as a “real nice man.”
In those early years, David bounced around churches and rededicated his life at Harvey Cedars Bible Conference as a teenager. He rededicated again sometime later at Manahawkin Baptist Church, where his whole family got baptized.
He married his first wife Meredith in 1965. For a time, they lived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, involved in outreach at a crisis pregnancy center. Upon returning to LBI, working and raising a growing family, they became involved in outreach ministries at various churches. They returned to Union toward the latter end of Duane Johnson’s tenure.
Doris Marine once told David that he would be a pastor someday. In 1998, he was appointed Associate Pastor of outreach at King of Kings. In 2003, he was similarly appointed at Grace Calvary Church under Murdock.
Some of David’s outreach involvements included prison ministry, Genesis Nursing Home, Atlantic City Rescue Missions, Harvest Cove Bible Fellowship, Wednesday night beach studies, and building improvements. He remains an active member today.
David lost Meredith to cancer in 2015. He later married Elaine, who serves leading worship. David can be found sharing his faith just about anywhere—on the beach, at movies, IHOP, Home Depot, or in the neighborhood. Always with a pack of tract books, he is a man on a mission to seek and save the lost.
2010s
Pastor Dan Stott (2007-2024)
Dan Stott enjoyed the longest tenure of any pastor, from arriving with his family in 2007 until late 2024. He preached a born-again message encouraging many to take the plunge for Jesus. He attended Dallas Theological Seminary and Philadelphia College of Bible, and served in Ireland.
He and his wife Lynda were blessed with four children and five grandchildren and leveraged social media to share God’s word with them. Lynda graduated to heaven in January 2024.
Dan is most known for his expository teaching of Scripture in sermon and study. His reverence for God’s word and the depth of his teaching is often interjected with humor. His seasonal attire reflects his character—Hawaiian in summer, patriotic, and a biker style. He once reportedly drove into a service on an ice cream scooter.
The church faced three significant challenges during Dan’s tenure:
In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy brought destruction to the shore, and the church responded to community needs. Stott opened its doors as a rescue center and collected food, water, clothes, and supplies from the Red Cross and Salvation Army. The second floor housed disaster-relief teams sent by the Southern Baptist Convention. The church held services at Holiday Inn in Manahawkin. That December, Dan was honored to serve as Grand Marshall of LBI’s Christmas parade.
In March 2020, the state shut down public facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While church services were suspended, Dan shortly after began outdoor outreach and services, garnering recognition that put the church on NJ news channel 12. Services continued with a TV mounted on the exterior wall and preaching from the pulpit. The church continued praying while practicing distancing protocol.
In 2021, Lynda was diagnosed with cancer. The church prayed as doctors gave her months, but God gave her 2 1/2 years, during which she saw as much of their children and grandchildren as possible. She continued participating in women’s luncheons and Bible studies until her last month. She had peace that her eternal home was with the Lord.
2020s
Grace Calvary’s 100th Anniversary
In September 2024, Grace Calvary Church celebrated its 100th anniversary, sharing stories of its lasting community and its historic building. The celebration opened and closed singing “Onward Christian Soldiers” as did its original consecration. The luncheon honored Pastor Dan, who stepped down to head west to his grandchildren. Church groups sang “Here’s to Pastor Dan”—adapted lyrics by Joy Houghton, the eldest member.
We’re thankful for Interim Pastor Glenn Snyder’s wonderful preaching during our present time of transition. He and his wife Linda are a blessing in prayer, study, and ministry.