The land on which the Church, Cemetery and Social Hall presently stand was donated by the John Porch family (for whom the community is named) for the purpose of worshipping Almighty God. The church became incorporated in 1803. Original historical records of the church were lost when a fire partially destroyed the home of the late Enos Veil of Iona, NJ, where the papers were kept. In an excerpt from the book "History of Counties of Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland, New Jersey," in 1828, "the people in the neighborhood determined to erect a house of worship, so they set about felling and hewing the timber and, in due time, the structure was completed."  The church traditionally celebrates the date of its founding as April 26, 1834, the date marked on the church when the Zion Methodist Episcopal Church of Franklin Township was started. Among the prominent founders of the church were the families of John Porch, David Beasy, Matthias Crane, Reuben Langley and Pearson Farnesworth.
     The present church building was erected after a fire destroyed the initial structure. The church during this period of time was flourishing. When the civil war ended, the nation was once again united and revivals were the most popular media draw of the day. During this pinnacle of activity, the church had two important elements of prosperity: faithfulness &  zeal.  People from nearby Clayton, Franklinville, Iona, Malaga and Elmer worshiped at this church at all-day meetings. Those coming from a distance were entertained and fed  in nearby homes.
     The church's sanctuary and open balcony used to be filled with worshippers with the choir and organ in the balcony.  It is believed in the early 1890s that the church was closed for a time due to low membership. When the church reopened, Porchtown was on a circuit which included Malaga and Willow Grove.