Our Church has a rich & colorful history, and although the general facts have been consistent throughout the decades, we are very fortunate to have been given more minute details thanks to the generations of families belonging to our Church who have passed down memories & memorabelia.

As time goes on, as it does with history...more memories, either printed or recalled; will be displayed here.

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 In the 1830's Methodism in Dingmans Ferry was served by the circuit preaching of Revernd W.R. Kiefer, who traveled by horseback. There was a flock of 152 people without a house of worship. After the one room school known as Center School was built in 1861, the local fathers were moved to organize Sabbath School. Religious services were also held at Center School on the same day.

The Methodist Episcopal Church (which later became United Methodist Church) was dedicated November 10, 1871. Since 1870, the Methodist Church Of Dingmans Ferry served the area continuously.

102 years later the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers purchased the church property in the interest of the Tocks Island Dam Project. The small band of loyal survivors of the village relocation held firm in their determination to "go on", serving God and their fellow man, and the new residents from the commencing developments as well as expected National Park visitors.

On June 29, 1978 the current "Church in the Wildwood", known today as "The Little Church In The Woods", was dedicated to the Glory of God. Though moderized and enlarged, it retains much of the original old Methodist Church of 1871. 

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A Brief History 

In 1834 the Methodist Episcopal Church chartered a congregation in Dingmans Ferry. For its first 37 years the church followed the wilderness tradition of meeting in homes or other public spaces.They were ministered to by local lay leaders with monthly visits from Circuit Riders, clergy that traveled

In 1834 the Methodist Episcopal Church chartered a congregation in Dingmans Ferry. For its first 37 years the church followed the wilderness tradition of meeting in homes or other public spaces.They were ministered to by local lay leaders with monthly visits from Circuit Riders, clergy that traveled from church to church...starting the Methodist tradition of monthly communion.

On November 10, 1871 the congregation dedicated its new home on Route 209 about 1/4 mile south of Route 739.

Shortly after the building celebrated a century of commitment to its community, the Army Corps Engineers purchased the church property in the interest of the Tock's Island Dam Project. With a firm determination to go on, the 40 member strong congregation dedicated our present building on June 29, 1978. Many of the stones used on the front of the church were recovered from the foundation of the old building. The beautiful stained glass windows behind our altar are there as a reminder and a testament to our founding members.

The church continued to improve and grow. The parking lot was paved in 1982. The parsonage was constructed and dedicated in 1987. In that year the tradidtion of the Circuit Rider ended and Robb Shoaf became our first full time pastor.The church was growing quickly!

In March of 1991 thoughts of expansion began as whispers that grew into meetings.In November of 1996 a meeting of the whole congregation was held to commit to a plan of action and we were officially "Growing To Serve"!

In September 1998 we dedicated our newly renovated church. The expanded sanctuary, new fellowship hall, six new classrooms and office space have allowed us to open up new areas of community service and ministry.

In the spring of 2004, we continued the tradition of "Growing To Serve" by renovating the old kitchen into a more modern facility , making evn more use of our fellowship hall.

We continue to grow , as just this summer (2009) we have expanded our open property and increased our parking area, providing  even more  opportunity to serve & minister our community!