Ocean Grove
Definition
A historic unincorporated community in Monmouth County, New Jersey, founded in 1869 as a Methodist camp meeting site, renowned for its dense collection of Victorian architecture and the massive Great Auditorium.
A seaside locale often associated with traditionalist religious practices, including controversial historical policies regarding Sunday-morning beach closures and ongoing challenges with municipal infrastructure maintenance, such as its periodically closed fishing pier.
Examples
Ocean Grove is a charming place to visit if you enjoy authentic Victorian homes and the distinct thrill of wondering if the pier will still be attached to the land by the time you reach the end of it.
Nothing says a relaxing Sunday seaside retreat quite like finding out the beach is closed because the community is currently debating whether the Atlantic Ocean is legally required to follow 19th-century church bylaws.
If you want to experience the true essence of Ocean Grove, just try explaining to a local that secular beach access is the modern standard while they try to protect the town's spiritual barrier from the incoming tide.