A Christian coastal town will open its beaches on Sunday morning for the first time in 155 years.
Ocean Grove, New Jersey, has closed a mile-long stretch of Jersey Shore beach for religious services until noon on Sundays for the first time since 1869.
Now, following continued opposition from the State of New Jersey, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA) has been ordered to open the beach.
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“Since the founding of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, we have closed our beaches on Sunday mornings for 155 years out of respect for God, a central pillar of our community,” the group said in a statement.
“Currently, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has ordered private beaches to be open on Sunday morning.”
The sun rises on Easter morning in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Digital)
OGCMA announced that it would challenge the order “to protect our property rights and religious freedom.”
“Our application for an emergency stay is pending, but we do not know when that order will be issued. While we currently have no choice but to comply with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s order to open beaches, we are not ceasing or abandoning our efforts to protect our religious and property rights,” the association wrote.
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Ocean Grove will have lifeguards on duty Sunday morning to ensure the safety of beachgoers., Meanwhile, it said.
“We continue to serve by providing opportunities for spiritual birth, growth and renewal through worship, education and cultural programs,” OGCMA concluded in a statement. “As always, we welcome you to join us in ‘God’s Square Mile.'”
A sign displaying a beach closure message on Sunday morning in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Digital)
After finding that OGCMA was in violation of the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act, the NJDEP issued an administrative order to the organization in October 2023 requiring it to remove padlocks and chains from beach sites from May through September.
Authorities have warned that Ocean Grove will be fined $25,000 per day if it doesn’t comply.
On May 21, NJDEP Commissioner Sean LaTourette denied a subsequent request by OGCMA to stay or halt enforcement of the order pending appeal.
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“I find that OGCMA has not demonstrated in this matter that a stay of the department’s enforcement of applicable public access requirements is warranted,” the commissioners concluded in legal documents.
“Accordingly, OGCMA’s request to stay enforcement is denied.”
The NJDEP declined further comment to Fox News Digital, citing the matter as “actively litigated.”
Ocean Grove’s community beach badge is displayed on the sand at the Jersey Shore. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Digital)
In August 2023, Ocean Grove received a letter from the NJDEP warning them about this outcome.
Several protests were held last summer when protesters invaded a private beach in Ocean Grove, which was closed for Sunday church services.
In a previous interview with Fox News Digital, OGCMA past president Michael Badger said the Sunday morning beach closures were important to promote Ocean Grove traditions and respect religious ceremonies.
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“It creates a quieter, less stressful environment,” he says, “while preserving the historic charm that defines Ocean Grove and sets it apart from neighboring communities.”
“There’s less traffic on the street. Parking is a little easier. We don’t have the Italian Ice or ice cream trucks going up and down the street,” he said.
Opposition protesters stand in front of the entrance to Ocean Grove Beach in 2023. OGCMA is a private, faith-based nonprofit organization that owns the Ocean Grove property, which includes about a half-mile of beach, a boardwalk and a pier. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Digital)
He said they are also giving Ocean Grove lifeguards a half-day off and allowing people to attend church.
“Overall, this is a quality of life improvement that will benefit both secular and religious causes,” he said.
Badger said Ocean Grove has had beaches closed from 9 a.m. to noon on Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day for decades.
Previously, the city had closed beaches all day on Sundays.
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OGCMA is a private, faith-based, nonprofit organization that owns the Ocean Grove property (including about a half-mile of beach, boardwalk and pier) and is home to the longest-running lifeguard service in New Jersey, Badger said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to OGCMA for further comment.
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