Organized in 1869 under a unique charter, the CMA Board of Trustees governed as a municipality until 1980 when it changed to serve the community as a homeowners association.
This early view shows the Camp Meeting Association office nestled among the grove of chestnut trees next to Simpson Avenue in the location where the gazebo now stands. The stone building is on the far right. The Camp Meeting Association of the Newark Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church (CMA) was organized in 1869. Until 1980, the elected Board of Trustees managed Mount Tabor under a unique charter allowing it to function as a municipality within the larger boundaries of a larger municipality. William Leighton, clerk, and J. Smith Richardson, treasurer, are pictured working on the accounts inside the Camp Meeting Association office. Mr. Richardson served on the Board for over 30 years. The large safe behind the men is still used in the CMA office today. The CMA office moved to its current quarters on the lower level of the Tabernacle in 1953. Since 1980, the Camp Meeting Association has gradually given up its role of performing municipal operations to the township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. The CMA continues to manage and maintain buildings and grounds and serves as a liaison to Parsippany-Troy Hills. Directly across Simpson Avenue from the current CMA office is the building that was used as the first Tabernacle on the grounds. It was relocated in 1884 from Trinity Park to make room for the large auditorium, now known as the Tabernacle.
The first Tabernacle was described in the 1877 Mt. Tabor Daily Record: “…the spacious ‘Tabernacle’ built in the first season. It is a spacious edifice, the first floor of which is devoted to office rooms for the officers. The second floor is used for the purposes of a dormitory and will accommodate about 50 lodgers. The basement is occupied by the family of Mr. E. B. Earles, the efficient Steward of the grounds. On the South side of the building is a preacher’s stand, altar, and auditorium, covered with a broad roof supported by pillars.”
Once moved to its new location on Simpson Avenue, the building continued to be used as housing for the traveling ministers during the camp meeting season and as the residence of the Superintendent of the grounds, Mr. E. B. Earles and his family, the remainder of the year. Today it is known simply as the Manager’s house. Even though it has changed location, its purpose has remained the same throughout the years.
