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New Jersey beach ordered to open on Sunday mornings for first time in 155 years

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A Christian seaside town will open its beach on Sunday mornings for the first time in 155 years.

Since 1869, Ocean Grove, New Jersey, has kept its mile-long stretch of Jersey Shore beach closed to religious observance until noon on Sundays.

Now, after 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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“For 155 years, we have closed our beach on Sunday mornings to honor God, a cornerstone of this community since the founding of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association,” the group wrote in a statement.

“We are now ordered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to open our private beach on Sunday mornings.”

The sun rises on Easter morning in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Digital)

The OGCMA announced it will challenge the order “to preserve our property rights and religious freedom.”

The association wrote: “Our application for an emergent stay is pending, but we have no indication when an Order will be entered. We are currently required to comply with the NJDEP order to open the beach, but we have not ceased or abandoned our quest to protect our religious and property rights.”

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Ocean Grove will provide lifeguards on Sunday mornings for the safety of beachgoers, meanwhile, he said.

“We continue to do ministry by providing opportunities for spiritual birth, growth and renewal through worship, education and cultural programs,” the OGCMA concluded in its statement. “As always, we welcome everyone to join us on ‘God’s Square Mile.'”

Ocean Grove New Jersey

A sign displays the Sunday morning beach closure message in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Digital)

After determining that OGCMA violated the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act, NJDEP served the group with an administrative order in October 2023 to remove locks and chains from its beach site from May through September.

The agency threatened fines of $25,000 per day if Ocean Grove does not comply.

On May 21, NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette denied OGCMA’s subsequent request to suspend or stop the order pending appeal.

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“I find that OGCMA has not demonstrated that a suspension of departmental enforcement of the applicable public access requirements is warranted in this matter,” the commissioner concluded in the legal document.

“Accordingly, OGCMA’s request for suspension is denied.”

The NJDEP declined to comment further to Fox News Digital as this “matter is in litigation.”

Ocean Grove New Jersey

A variety of Ocean Grove community beach badges are displayed in the sand on the Jersey Shore. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Digital)

In August 2023, Ocean Grove received a letter from the NJDEP warning of this outcome.

Several protests also occurred last summer, when opposition groups invaded Ocean Grove’s private beach property while it was closed for Sunday worship.

In a previous interview with Fox News Digital, former OGCMA president Michael Badger said the Sunday morning beach closure is important to promote Ocean Grove tradition and respect religious observance.

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“It creates a calmer, less stressful environment,” he said. “It is in keeping with Ocean Grove’s signature historic charm and sets us apart from our neighboring communities.”

He also said, “There’s less traffic on the streets. It’s a little easier to get parking. You don’t have the Italian gelato and gelato trucks going up and down the street.”

Ocean Grove New Jersey

Counter-protesters are photographed in front of the Ocean Grove beach entrance in 2023. OGCMA is a private, religiously affiliated nonprofit organization that owns the land in Ocean Grove, including the beach, boardwalk, and nearly half-dock pier. mile. (Joshua Comins/Fox News Digital)

It also gives Ocean Grove lifeguards a half-day off, he said, and allows people to attend church.

“Overall, it’s about improving the quality of life, which benefits both secular and religious intentions,” he said.

Ocean Grove has had its beach closed on Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon between Memorial Day and Labor Day for a couple of decades, Badger shared.

Before that, the city closed its beach all day on Sundays.

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OGCMA is a private, religiously affiliated nonprofit organization that owns the land in Ocean Grove, including the beach, boardwalk and nearly half-mile pier, and is home to the longest-serving lifeguard corps in New Jersey, according to Badger.

Fox News Digital reached out to OGCMA for further comment.

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