Ocean Grove’s New Cross-Shaped Pier Sparks Public Beach Debate
What’s Happening
Ocean Grove, a small seaside section of Neptune Township in Monmouth County, is at the center of a dispute over a new public pier design that some residents say resembles a Christian cross.
The nonprofit behind the project, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (a Methodist ministry), is defending the design even as critics ask state and local officials to intervene.
Why the Pier Design Is Controversial
Some residents argue the pier’s shape sends a message of religious dominance on a public beach, describing it as “Christian bullying.” Others disagree, saying they’re simply relieved to see the pier rebuilt.
Key dispute:
- Supporters see the design as meaningful symbolism or harmless.
- Opponents see it as a sectarian symbol placed in a shared public space.
What the Camp Meeting Association Is Saying
Leaders from the Camp Meeting Association have made clear they recognize the cross-like appearance.
Notable statements include:
- The association’s COO Jamie Jackson said the group makes “no apology” and that they “love the fact that it looks like a cross.”
- Association President Michael Badger said the cross resemblance “did not escape our notice,” adding that “different people will see different things” depending on perspective.
- Badger also said the association never intended to offend or exclude anyone.
Claims About “Christian Nationalism”
Some critics have linked the pier’s symbolism to broader concerns about religion in public life. Badger rejected that framing and said:
- There was “no idea” it would be perceived as Christian nationalism
- It is “not a part of who the camp meeting association is.”
The article describes Christian nationalism as the belief that the U.S. was founded as an explicitly Christian nation and that this relationship should be protected, with real-world impacts that can include:
- Support for laws based on certain interpretations of Christian morality
- Defense of religious displays on public property
- Nativist reactions to non-white, non-Christian immigrants
Who Controls the Beach and Why Approval Wasn’t Required
A key detail is the association’s unusual authority in Ocean Grove.
Under a complex charter, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association has authority over the land, beach, and boardwalk. Because of that structure:
- The pier did not need approval from local officials
- It will still be open to the public
Project Funding and Timeline
The association plans to use $1.3 million from its own funds and donations to build:
- The pier
- Other beachfront facilities
Timeline highlights:
- The design was unveiled at a groundbreaking last month
- Construction is scheduled to begin next month
- It starts about one week before a key community meeting scheduled for Sept. 17
Background: Why a New Pier Now
The new pier is meant to replace one that was:
- Damaged during Hurricane Sandy (about a decade ago)
- Never replaced after the storm
Existing Christian Symbolism in Ocean Grove
The controversy is amplified because Ocean Grove already features visible Christian imagery, including:
- Beach badges that include a cross
- Rental beach umbrellas with cross iconography
- A cross mounted on the dunes
- A sign at the entrance reading: “Welcome to Ocean Grove, a Christian seaside resort.”
Resident Pushback and Organized Response
Ocean Grove resident Doug Grote criticized the project in an op-ed, warning that the pier could turn the cross into something seen as coercive. Grote, a semi-retired Presbyterian pastor, described the situation as a form of power that could pressure secular residents.
Planned action:
- Grote may bring a motion at the Ocean Grove Home Owners Association (OGHOA) meeting on Sept. 17
- The motion would ask the Camp Meeting Association to halt construction until:
- Matters are investigated
- All citizenry are consulted
- Residents can approve or reject the design
Important limitation:
- OGHOA is not affiliated with the Camp Meeting Association
- Even if a motion passes, it would only relay the results and urge a pause, with no guarantee of influence
Calls for Elected Officials to Intervene
Residents including Shane Martins are urging elected leaders to step in, arguing the situation may conflict with 1st Amendment protections and that decisions affecting the community should not go unchecked.
Residents Who Support or Accept the Pier
Not all residents oppose the project. Some:
- Don’t mind the design
- Embrace the cross symbolism
- Simply want the pier restored
Ocean Grove resident Charlotte Pritchard said many people—religious or not—are “profoundly happy” the pier will soon be rebuilt and improved.