Our Story of Origin

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History of First Wesleyan Church

83 Years of Ministry in Bridgeton

While we appreciate our beautiful campus, we know that the church is really people.

People gathered inside a church for service.
Small white church with tower and trees.

270 Bank Street

Our Humble Beginnings

For many years, First Wesleyan Church was located on Bank Street and was known as the Pilgrim Holiness Church. The name of the church was changed to First Wesleyan Church as a result of a denominational merger that took place in 1968 between the Pilgrim Holiness Church and the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

The church had its beginning largely through the efforts of Mrs. Joseph Gehring of Bridgeton, in cooperation with the Penn Jersey District of the Pilgrim Holiness Church. After securing a lot across the street from the Pearl Street School, a series of very fruitful tent meetings were held, and the decision was made to organize as a Pilgrim Holiness Church. This was achieved on May 15, 1942, with the assistance of several members of the Millville Pilgrim Holiness Church. With the tent as the only place to worship for this new congregation, a decision was made to erect a tabernacle across the street from the tent location. The church called Rev. A. Passmore to be its first pastor. Under his leadership, the church purchased a lot at 270 Bank St. Rev. Passmore was succeeded by Rev. Robert Finch in 1944, who served the church until 1946. He directed the construction of a new church building at the Bank Street property, and the first services were held in December 1945.

Rev. Ed Shemelia assumed the pastorate in 1946 and served until 1949. He was succeeded by the Rev. Edward Crosser, who served until 1951, when the church called Rev. Paul Braisted, who served until 1957. The building was enlarged, and the congregation grew under the ministry of Rev. William Derr, who served from 1957 to 1964.

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People gathered outside a church building.

200 Laurel Heights Drive

Rev. Earl Heckman, who came to serve the Bridgeton Church from 1965 through 1988, has served the church longer than any other pastor in its history, with over 23 faithful years of service. Because of the inadequacy of the Bank St. facilities, the church reached a plateau in the mid-1970s.

Under Pastor Heckman’s direction, the decision was made to relocate to the present location at the Upper Deerfield Medical Center. As a result of vision and hard work, ground was broken on April 13, 1979, and the new building was dedicated after its completion on April 6, 1980. Having provided effective pastoral leadership to the Bridgeton Church, Pastor Heckman retired from full-time ministry in 1988.

Rev. Rick Shockley served as pastor from May 1988 through May 1991. Under his capable leadership, the church continued to grow, and a beautiful new parsonage was constructed on the church property. He was followed by Rev. Bruce Howell, who pastored the church from August 1991 to September 1992, during which time a church steeple was erected. Rev. Dwight Mikesell pastored the church from November 1992 until July 2007. The church added staff during his 15 years of service, including the purchase of a ministry house. In 2004, Iglesias Hispana Wesleyana Familia began on the First Wesleyan Church campus, led by Rev. Jairo Chalarca, who was recruited from Colombia to be the Lead Pastor. Rev. Mike Saunders pastored for a year from October 2008 to September 2009. The current pastor, Rev. Douglas Heckman, has been pastoring the church since April 2010. Handicap access was added to all First Wesleyan Church facilities, along with a paved driveway to the parsonage. During COVID-19, the church launched its first endeavors to reach out to a virtual community through Facebook Live. This past year, the facility and parking lot received a physical facelift due to a large donation from the closure of Millville Wesleyan Church. First Wesleyan has a growing outreach to the community through its many ministries. After twenty years, Iglesia Hispana Wesleyana Familia launched another Hispanic congregation in Millville. Rev. Edgar Chalarca was called to be the Lead Pastor. They were also able to purchase their own facility this past year. First Wesleyan Church proclaims a positive message of redemption through our congregational vision, Building a B.R.I.D.G.E. of Hope.

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New Jersey Salvation Brass Concert

Veterans Day

People praying in a church service.

Special Days of Celebration

Veterans Day