With the growing need for year-round church services, the Bethel was used for weekly services for nearly ten years until a permanent church was built in 1949. It was expanded in 1956 to its present form.
Mount Tabor came into existence in 1869 because of the Centenary of American Methodism and the popularity of the spiritual revival in the form of the camp meeting. The culture of the community slowly changed as the old camp meeting fervor ebbed over time. Economic circumstances of the 1930s forced more summer residents to make the camp meeting ground their permanent home. Mount Tabor was changing to become a year-round residential neighborhood in need of weekly church services.
In the spring of 1942, the Community Methodist Church of Mount Tabor was organized and it was granted permission to use the Bethel Pavilion for weekly services during the fall, winter, and spring.
Rapid growth necessitated a proper church building and ground was broken in 1948 and the first service was held in the building in 1949. The sanctuary of the new church was opened for worship in July 1950.
By 1956, the growth of the community and the surrounding vicinity forced the expansion of the church and church school facilities to what they are now. In 1968 the name of the congregation became the United Methodist Church at Mt. Tabor.
Mount Tabor stands as an historic shrine reminiscent of the evangelism of another day, which contributed so much to the early growth, and strength of Methodism in the Newark Conference.
Across the street from the Church at 8 Simpson Avenue is the house built for Dr. G. W. Eddy sometime prior to 1895 when, according to the minutes of the Camp Meeting Association, Dr. Eddy was given permission to widen his porch so that the cottage would be better suited for boardinghouse purposes. Other requests were made to expand the building in 1902 and 1903 to add a room on the west side of the cottage. The latter request was denied, but Dr. Eddy apparently proceeded anyway, and was informed that part of it must be removed. A room extension can be seen in the photo above. With a separate entrance and a placard to the left of the door, it appears Dr. Eddy may have dedicated this space to see patients apart from his residence.
The men in the foreground are felling trees due to the chestnut blight which had a large impact on the tree canopy of Mount Tabor. Directly behind 8 Simpson Avenue looking up Embury Place is this street scene. Wesley House was a boardinghouse situated conveniently at the terminus of West Pass, now the garden of 8 Simpson Avenue. Boardinghouses were needed for those who came to camp meeting and did not rent a tent or cottage for the season. Wesley House could accommodate 60 boarders. In 1880, a rate of $1.25 per day was charged for meals and lodging or $5 for the week. Cottages along Banghart Place can be seen intersecting Embury at the bend of the road. This view of the southern end of Simpson Avenue is just beyond the church as the road curves around the distinctive puddingstone wall. Simpson Avenue, named in honor of Methodist leader Bishop Matthew Simpson, is the main thoroughfare with the camp offices, shops, boarding tents, and other conveniences all situated along this avenue. From nearly the same location facing the opposite direction, this view is recognizable, even today. The Arlington Hotel can just be seen in the distance as the road slips out of view. The house at 1 Simpson Avenue was built in 1883 and retains its distinctive character today.
