Ocean Grove’s Great Auditorium really is an awesome sight to behold. I never knew it was built in just 90 days. That in itself is awe inspiring and that it was built by shipbuilders makes total sense when you walk inside and see it for yourself. From the inside the architectural feel is very reminiscent of an old sailing ship. You feel like you're stepping back in time when you see it from the outside or the inside. When seen from the inside, the massively large arched ceiling of dark stained wood really is beautiful and magnificent. The sheer volume of unobstructed, open space inside is enormous and when you look up and around you, you cannot help but wonder how anyone managed to construct such a gorgeous building. Being made entirely of wood with some (but not much) iron or steel (I'm not sure which) there's nothing modern looking about it. If you have the opportunity to get to Ocean Grove you owe it to yourself to stop by and see it for yourself. Words and videos don't in any way compare to seeing it for yourself and in person. It's open all summer with worship services every Sunday and an almost countless number of other events like concerts and guest speakers scheduled during the day and in the evenings... some with an admission price but many for free. Even if you're not a church goer it would be to your benefit to attend a concert or even a Sunday worship service in the Great Auditorium to listen to a sermon and hear the choir and pipe organ in such a beautiful environment for yourself. I can tell you from personal experience that when it's over you'll leave feeling peaceful and refreshed. No one will approach you trying to evangelize or convert you. There's absolutely none of that going on there. I am not a church goer or even a believer myself so you know that what I'm saying here is not some covert attempt to convert anyone. I've been going to Ocean Grove every summer for years and I always make it a point to attend a few of the many functions at the Great Auditorium. The building is generally open all day during the summer when nothing is taking place inside and even when an event is taking place that requires admission, the auditorium has many large open entrances around its whole perimeter. They will be roped off to restrict entry when payment of admission is required BUT it's quite easy to stand just outside of any or all of the entrances to see the whole of the inside and hear what's going on as well. Ocean Grove is a very peaceful and quiet little town. Not everyone is church oriented BUT the whole atmosphere of the town is low key, quiet, laid back and respectful and that is the main attraction for the countless people who come from far and wide to vacation there. If you just want to visit to see the auditorium remember to also be respectful and low key in your wanderings. The Great Auditorium is surrounded by Tent City which is a small tightly spaced little village like area of small tent bungalows where many families spend their whole summers. These are peoples homes for the season. These are NOT visiting tourists! You can certainly stroll quietly through Tent City and maybe strike up a friendly conversation with the townspeople relaxing on the small front porches of their tent bungalows as you walk by but just like you wouldn't want strangers stopping to stare or take photos inside your home, don't do that there. A smile and a good measure of reserve will serve you well and go a long way. It's a quiet and physically close little neighborhood where everyone knows everyone else and people respect each others boundaries so act accordingly. You will never see or hear loud parties with crowds of boisterous people trampling around so keep that in mind in your wanderings as well. Whether you choose to attend any of the events going on in the auditorium or just want to see it for yourself, you'll leave feeling glad for having experienced something so unique.
Ocean Grove’s Great Auditorium really is an awesome sight to behold.
I never knew it was built in just 90 days. That in itself is awe inspiring and that it was built by shipbuilders makes total sense when you walk inside and see it for yourself. From the inside the architectural feel is very reminiscent of an old sailing ship. You feel like you're stepping back in time when you see it from the outside or the inside.
When seen from the inside, the massively large arched ceiling of dark stained wood really is beautiful and magnificent. The sheer volume of unobstructed, open space inside is enormous and when you look up and around you, you cannot help but wonder how anyone managed to construct such a gorgeous building.
Being made entirely of wood with some (but not much) iron or steel (I'm not sure which) there's nothing modern looking about it.
If you have the opportunity to get to Ocean Grove you owe it to yourself to stop by and see it for yourself. Words and videos don't in any way compare to seeing it for yourself and in person.
It's open all summer with worship services every Sunday and an almost countless number of other events like concerts and guest speakers scheduled during the day and in the evenings... some with an admission price but many for free.
Even if you're not a church goer it would be to your benefit to attend a concert or even a Sunday worship service in the Great Auditorium to listen to a sermon and hear the choir and pipe organ in such a beautiful environment for yourself. I can tell you from personal experience that when it's over you'll leave feeling peaceful and refreshed. No one will approach you trying to evangelize or convert you. There's absolutely none of that going on there.
I am not a church goer or even a believer myself so you know that what I'm saying here is not some covert attempt to convert anyone. I've been going to Ocean Grove every summer for years and I always make it a point to attend a few of the many functions at the Great Auditorium.
The building is generally open all day during the summer when nothing is taking place inside and even when an event is taking place that requires admission, the auditorium has many large open entrances around its whole perimeter. They will be roped off to restrict entry when payment of admission is required BUT it's quite easy to stand just outside of any or all of the entrances to see the whole of the inside and hear what's going on as well.
Ocean Grove is a very peaceful and quiet little town. Not everyone is church oriented BUT the whole atmosphere of the town is low key, quiet, laid back and respectful and that is the main attraction for the countless people who come from far and wide to vacation there. If you just want to visit to see the auditorium remember to also be respectful and low key in your wanderings.
The Great Auditorium is surrounded by Tent City which is a small tightly spaced little village like area of small tent bungalows where many families spend their whole summers. These are peoples homes for the season. These are NOT visiting tourists!
You can certainly stroll quietly through Tent City and maybe strike up a friendly conversation with the townspeople relaxing on the small front porches of their tent bungalows as you walk by but just like you wouldn't want strangers stopping to stare or take photos inside your home, don't do that there.
A smile and a good measure of reserve will serve you well and go a long way.
It's a quiet and physically close little neighborhood where everyone knows everyone else and people respect each others boundaries so act accordingly. You will never see or hear loud parties with crowds of boisterous people trampling around so keep that in mind in your wanderings as well.
Whether you choose to attend any of the events going on in the auditorium or just want to see it for yourself, you'll leave feeling glad for having experienced something so unique.
This is Awesome ❤️
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