[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 494]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  125TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOUNT FERN UMC

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 9, 2009

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the one hundred 
twenty-fifth anniversary of the Mount Fern United Methodist Church, in 
Randolph, New Jersey.
  The first service at Mount Fern Church was held on November 11, 1883. 
Mount Fern Church was an offshoot of the Millbrook Methodist Church 
established 50 years earlier in 1833. Mount Fern was built to serve the 
growing surrounding community and the workers at Mine Hill who did not 
have transportation to Millbrook.
  John R. Spargo is the person most responsible for the church at Mount 
Fern. He donated the land, provided the financing, helped build the 
church, and he gave the church a new name, Mount Fern Church.
  By 1880 Mount Fern was a hilltop community of about 25 homes, a dozen 
or so farms, and the mining families. The successes of the local mines 
attracted still more miners to Randolph. After moving to an old stone 
farmhouse, John Spargo held Methodist class meetings in his home. The 
old stone house served as both an early church and Sunday school. Its 
two small rooms were soon filled to capacity. Eventually the community 
decided it was time to build a new church.
  The Rev. Robert Jenkins served as the first pastor of Mount Fern 
Church from 1883-1884 and returned for a second year in 1894. Many of 
the Mount Fern early pastors were laymen, people who lived in the 
community, often with a farm of their own, and volunteered to lead the 
church for a year or two.
  Mount Fern was well attended in its earliest years. However, 
membership declined when the local mines closed. By 1914 the church 
listed only 30 members.
  The first Mount Fern Church Fair was held on July 4, 1914. Booths 
surrounding the church sold food, gifts, and souvenirs. A baked goods 
booth featured fresh-baked cookies and Anne Spargo's apple pies. 
Chicken suppers were served from a tent erected on the grounds. 
Fireworks at the first fair, by accident or mischievous design, ignited 
prematurely. Mount Fern never attempted fireworks again, but the church 
fair became a popular annual event for over 50 years.
  By 1948 there were about 100 houses in the community. New families 
moved into the area and the church began to grow. In 1952 construction 
of a new fellowship hall began.
  Growth continued and membership swelled to 350 after the arrival of 
Rev. Diane Gilbert in 1996.
  Although over the years the building has changed, the church has not. 
Mount Fern Church remains a congregation of people united in their 
faith.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that the House recognize this remarkable church 
and parishioners who have contributed so much toward the preservation 
and appreciation of American history through their place of worship at 
Mount Fern United Methodist Church in Randolph, New Jersey.

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