THE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
WHITTON COTTAGE
(Known as the Historical Building)
[Click on the pictures to enlarge them)

In March, 1879 the New Jersey Conference sent the Rev. & Mrs. John B. Whitton and four children to the Gloucester Circuit.  This circuit was made up of six churches.

These churches owned a small cottage on Malaga Camp Ground, which was for the use of the pastor.  In August 1879, Father and Mother with family occupied this cottage.   It was a small one room and shed on first floor, one room upstairs with three bunks built into the wall. Cooking was done on a small open grate stove burning charcoal.  Water was carried from pumps.  The children were given a penny for each bucket of water they carried.  Better drinking water could not be found in all of South Jersey.

The Whitton Cottage was built, with many subtractions and additions, many, many coats of white wash, and many coats of green paint.  The cottage stands on the circle in front of the Tabernacle and is open for everyone to visit.  There are many pictures from past years as well as much history inside

When you come to Malaga Camp, be sure to stop in and visit.  There is always someone there to help you.

The West Jersey Grove Association maintains an historical Society.

"In 1869, the Camp Meetings began to be held on the west side of Malaga Road.  The nearest big town with a post office was Malaga, and the Camp Meetings began to be called the Malaga Camp Meetings. It was agreed to purchase the Richman Grove for the sum of $1000.00, and 100 people indicated their willingness to purchase a lot at the price of $5.00 each. The subscribers, residents of the state of New Jersey, then formed themselves into an association, naming it "West Jersey Grove Association."

The founders established the association for the following purposes: "To provide, improve, and beautify a grove in which Camp Meetings would be held, and to provide a suitable place for other meetings of a moral and religious nature.

The first meetings at Malaga Camp were held in the same spot as they are today, but in a rather primitive fashion. The congregation sat on planks set on uprights with no backrests. Overhead was a skeleton roof of poles covered with pine branches to keep off the sun.  The last Sunday of Camp Meeting was the highlight of the meetings. Everyone within driving distance came by horse and carriage or by train to be here on that afternoon. At the end of the service, everyone left the Tabernacle and marched entirely around the circle, . They marched around more than once, singing, "We're marching to Zion.

Malaga is rich in memories and heritage. Camp Meeting has been enjoyed for 137 consecutive years in this spot. You can relive that exciting story as you visit our historical museum in the WHITTON COTTAGE on the Tabernacle Square. A treasury of old pictures and artifacts will take you through the years and help you to understand why so many people love Malaga Camp.