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"In Ocean Grove's record of the year 1874 has been placed the following: 'One of the most delightful things connected with Ocean Grove is Dr. Ward's Tent, located on Pilgrim Pathway opposite Ocean Pathway.' It was in tent that the first Young People's Meetings were held. In 1879 for better accommodation of the Young People, if was found important to erect a building for their use. The first thought was to locate it on the ground occupied by Dr. Ward's tent. After careful thought and due consideration it was decided to locate it on the present site and it was finally completed and dedicated on Founder's Day, July 31st, 1879.

The cost of the building was $1,500. It was a small structure similar to the Bishop Janes Memorial Tabernacle; and seated about 300 young persons. In 1883, Dr. Stokes wrote; 'The Young People's Temple was originally built too small, something must be done to enlarge the seating capacity to take care of the increased crowds of young people.' The rear was removed form the original building to make more room that summer. But even after the enlargement of the building in such a manner, these meetings were so successful and popular that there were just as many people outside the building as were in it trying to enjoy the benefits of the service.

It was during the early part of 1885 that the Temple was again enlarged to more than double its former capacity and it was most surprising to find every chair occupied on opening Sunday that summer. Up to that time the Young People's Temple had been enlarged three times." – Diamond Jubilee History of Ocean Grove © 1944 The Ocean Grove Times.

In 1887 a new structure was built at a cost of $7,500. Designed by Ocean Grove's first police chief, Major John Patterson, the new Temple was capable of seating 1,500. During construction, however, the half built structure was blown down in a February storm. Despite this set back, the building first opened for divine services on July 3rd, 1887 and was dedicated on August 1, 1887 in celebration of the 18th anniversary of the founding of Ocean Grove. Sadly that Temple was destroyed by fire in 1977 and the present structure was built. Today, just as it did over 100 years ago when the first meetings were held in Dr. Ward's tent, the Young People's or Youth Temple still serves both the spiritual and cultural needs of Ocean Groves Youth. The present Temple, dedicated in 2003, which mimics the design of the 1887 structure, has two large multi-purpose rooms including a gymnasium/theatre , a stage, office space, classrooms and a kitchen.