A outstanding piece of historical past was revealed within the rafters of a historic church alongside the Jersey Shore.
A just lately found be aware relationship again 137 years has offered new perception into the constructing’s previous and its place in Cape Could’s wealthy African-American heritage.
“I happened to look up and see it in the rafters,” mentioned Kyle Carter, a contractor working on the former Allen AME Church, which has been a landmark within the city for near 140 years. “I immediately thought, like, you understand, what are we doing to protect it?”
The greater than century previous handwritten be aware was uncovered nailed to a beam. It seemed to be a receipt for plastering work written by Rev. Alexander Herritage Newton.
“We learned more about the pastor who was here at the time, which we didn’t, hadn’t known about before,” mentioned Bernadette Matthews, of the East Lynne Theater Firm.
Here is what the letter said:
“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]”
Beforehand plastered over within the rafters, the growing older be aware was found in August. However not till February did analysis reveal a part of the church’s previous, because the be aware was dated June 19, 1891.
“This is extremely and extraordinarily significant,” mentioned Matthews. “Juneteeth. How about that.”
It seems, Newton served as pastor from about 1889 to 1892. He was a outstanding spiritual chief and creator who had served within the Civil Battle and supported The Underground Railroad.
“This particular neighborhood happened to be a center for the Black community,” mentioned Hope Gaines, of the Middle for Neighborhood Arts Historical past Committee
When a fireplace severely broken the church on Franklin Road in 2018, the be aware survived. Gaines mentioned “the firefighters deserve quite a lot of credit score” for having the ability to maintain a bit of historical past alive.
The town-owned constructing is ready to develop into the everlasting house of the East Lynne Theater Firm. Discovering the hyperlink to a previous renovation in the course of the present venture was seen as an indication.
“This really was an affirmation that we were on the right track,” mentioned Mark David Boberick, a member of the theater firm.
For now, the be aware continues to be within the rafter and beneath new sheet rock. Officers say they’re working to search out one of the simplest ways to show and protect it. Carter had an concept of the place it ought to proceed to dwell.
“I think it should stay with the building,” the contractor mentioned of the uncommon discover.
The Clemens Theater at Allen AME Church is ready to formally open within the spring. It is going to be the newest a part of Cape Could’s new Cultural District, which incorporates the Harriet Tubman Museum and a brand new 16,000-square-foot library which used to accommodate the Franklin Road Faculty, an elementary faculty for Cape Could’s African American kids.
