Newfield circa 1860

The true glory of our church lies not in its lovely architecture or exquisite stained glass windows, inspiring as they are, but rather in devoted lives of men and women who with unswerving faith and whole-hearted sacrifices, have been preaching, teaching, and living the gospel of Christ and Him crucified, risen, and coming again, through the years.

History has many lessons for us, so let's step back to yesteryear and discover the beginning of this little community. For $5185 Robert K. Matlack and Abraham Browning bought a tract of 1037 acres located in Gloucester and Cumberland Counties at a public sale on May 29, 1858.

In 1860, Thomas Wilson purchased a large tract of land for $10,000 from Robert K. Matlack and Abraham Browning. The Pennsylvania, Reading, and Seashore Railroad extending from Camden to Millville, branched off to connect with the seashore resorts. 

In 1863 this point was called Newfield by way of identification, at the time, an integral part of Franklin Township. In 1863 Thomas Wilson sold 144 acres on the west side of the Seashore Railroad to Allen S. Hemingway, a tract to Franklin Land Company; and 144 acres on the east side of the Railroad to E. B. Ely; the three decided to pool their resources and develop a town.

By 1866 eight houses formed a little town, consequently people with needs to be met. In 1866 the public school house was completed (where the firehouse & Boro Hall are now located) and by common consent, the school house was used as a place of worship by lovers of Jesus of every denomination. A distinctive Baptist service was held once every four weeks. By 1881 these sites had become a small, quiet, village laid out in avenues on either side of the railroad, forming drives and walks with fine residences, thriving orchards, and vineyards. During the early years of its life the people raised hops; it was a center of agriculture and lumbering. As early as July 1883, the people of the town worked to create a borough, and incorporated Newfield as a borough on March 8, 1924. Newfield is now comprised of 1088 acres, approx. 1.7 square miles; the 2000 census lists a population of 1616.