Christ Episcopal Church, a cornerstone of downtown Toms River for over 160 years, is preparing for a courtroom showdown after learning the township has set its sights on their 11-acre property. Backed by the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, the church is challenging a controversial move that would give the town the power to seize the land — potentially by force.
The push comes from a narrow 4-3 Township Council vote on April 30 to pursue the property, either through a purchase or, if necessary, eminent domain. The town wants to transform the church site into a sprawling recreational hub complete with soccer fields, pickleball courts, a skatepark, and a playground — a plan unveiled with little warning to church leaders.
But behind the sudden land rush may lie a more contentious issue: a proposed homeless shelter.
The church, in partnership with the Affordable Housing Alliance, is in the process of seeking approval for a 17-bed overnight shelter on its property — a plan still under review by the local Board of Adjustment. A final decision on the shelter is scheduled for May 22. Some residents opposing the shelter have openly questioned whether the town’s park plan is less about recreation and more about halting the shelter before it’s built.
Bishop Sally French, leader of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, didn’t mince words in her public statement. “I was shocked and deeply disappointed,” she wrote in a letter read aloud to the congregation. She pledged her full support and said she would attend the final council vote on May 28.
Adding to the tension, church leadership says they were blindsided by the ordinance, learning about it less than 24 hours before it hit the council floor — not through official communication, but from a concerned community member. Despite the short notice, more than 150 supporters packed the council chambers in protest.
Reverend Lisa Hoffman, the church’s rector, urged members to stay engaged and attend the upcoming meetings, but hold off on formal protests until after those votes. She noted the irony of the situation: “We’re being targeted while trying to serve the most vulnerable.”
The town’s plans also involve purchasing nearby marinas and a vacant lot to complete the proposed waterfront park — a sweeping vision that has drawn mixed reactions from residents. While some agree that downtown Toms River could use more public space, others remain skeptical about the real motivation behind displacing a historic church to make room.
Support from other Ocean County congregations is growing as the date of the final vote approaches. With legal action on the table and public sentiment heating up, Christ Episcopal Church is standing firm.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.