133-Year-Old Note Found In Rafters Of Historic NJ Church

CAPE MAY, NJ — As Black History Month nears its end, a “remarkable” discovery has been found in the rafters of the former Allen African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church of Cape May, as East Lynne Theater Company prepares to make it their permanent home. A note or possible receipt, dated 1891, handwritten by the esteemed Rev. Dr. Alexander Herritage Newton, has been uncovered during renovations of the church, the theater company said in a news release.

The note was found by Kyle Carter of DKC Contractors as he worked on scaffolding in the rafters. Written on aged parchment and nailed to a beam, it reads:

“To all whom this may concern,
Elwood Rowland, formerly of Media, PA
Daniel Galvin, [formerly of] Phila
Plastered this church during
The month of June for $250
Rev. Dr. Newton, Pastor
[unclear]”

At the very top, it is inscribed: “Cape May June 19, 1891.” That date, as we celebrate it now, is Juneteenth.

“It’s an exceptional find,” said Rachel Dolhanczyk, director of history programs for the Center of Community Arts, a group dedicated to discovering, preserving and presenting the African American history of Cape May. “We know that Rev. Dr. Newton spent time at the Allen AME Church of Cape May, but we don’t know much about that time. It’s a thrilling coincidence to learn that this important historical figure was instrumental in renovating the church back then as renovations are being done on the church today.”

Records indicate that Newton served as pastor at the church from about 1889 to 1892. He was a sergeant in the 29th Connecticut Volunteers, a regiment in the U.S. Colored Troops; a supporter of the Underground Railroad; and a prominent and revered religious leader known for his advocacy for social justice and education.

When the Clemans Theater at Allen AME Church officially opens this spring, it will be the cornerstone of the new Cultural District in Cape May, which also includes the Harriet Tubman Museum and a brand new 16,000-square-foot library, which used to house the Franklin Street School, an elementary school for Cape May’s African American children.

East Lynne, which has been staging its shows in the First Presbyterian Church on Hughes Street, is still in the process of raising money in its Capital Campaign for the continuation of renovations – or, “adaptive reuse,” as classified by Historic Preservation standards – at the former AME Church. Once opened, the new space will offer the theater company the ability to provide year-round programming for the first time including plays, jazz, art exhibits, and more.

“By definition a church is a place to gather and celebrate – a coming together. Religion, yes. But there is an integration – church and community are integral to one another,” said Mark David Boberick, co-board president of East Lynne Theater Co. “To be able to return this building to the community as a place to gather once again is honoring the legacy of the church. We are creating a versatile and dynamic arts space by programming events that can bring everyone together, making it a place for all to celebrate.”

The theater company is choosing to see this a sign that they are on the right track, preserving the church that was considered one of New Jersey’s 10 Most Endangered Historic Places, according to Preservation New Jersey, as recently as 2021.

“A fire nearly destroyed this building, so there’s a greater purpose to what we are doing,” Boberick said. “The story of this building is meant to continue – signs are everywhere, figuratively and now literally, and we do not want to get this wrong.”

The Clemans Theater at Allen AME Church is located at 717 Franklin St. in Cape May. For more information on East Lynne Theater Co.’s Capital Campaign, go to EastLynneTheater.org.