The Methodist congregation originally worshiped at the Manahawkin Free Church, also called the Old Baptist Church, until a separate chapel was constructed on Beach Avenue in 1803 on land purchased for $10 from Reuben F. Randolph. A new church was constructed and dedicated in 1874 at the current site on Stafford Avenue on land donated in 1872 by General William Grier and the Stafford Land Company. The current structure is a renovation of that 1874 church and was dedicated on January 24, 1884. Tradition holds that lumber from shipwrecks was used in the construction. The current steeple replaces the original taller steeple destroyed by lightning around 1900. The 1848 bell was installed in 1902. The congregations of Cedar Run and Manahawkin merged in 1959, and the Fellowship Hall addition was constructed in 1962.