CAPE MAY – With city renovations to the historic Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cape May almost completed, the East Lynne Theater Company is preparing to take over the building and transform it into a performance center.
Mark David Boberick, co-president of the theater company’s board of directors, said late last month that the group hopes to take control in “several weeks to two months from now,” after the city finishes repairs to the church’s interior and exterior. The theater company has a lease from the city for the property.
Boberick said plans for the second phase of the project are underway, but their extent and schedule is dependent on an effort to raise at least $1.2 million to build an addition that will provide dressing rooms, bathrooms, a back stage and an office, as well as redo the interior into a theater complete with a lobby, sound booth, stage, lighting and flexible seating.
“We are resolute to returning the building to the community for use, getting involved with the Cape May Music Festival, bringing equity theater and telling stories about the building and community through exhibits and displays,” he said.
In 2021 the church on Franklin Street – then considered one of the “most endangered historic places” by Preservation New Jersey due in large part to a devastating fire in 2018 – was saved from the wrecking ball when the city purchased it from the congregation and began restoration work.
The circa 1888 Allen A.M.E. Church is an important African American landmark in Cape May’s historic district. It was founded by Stephen Smith, a Black businessman who owned several properties in Cape May.
A vocal abolitionist, Smith was a charter member of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, a follower of famed abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison and a close associate of abolitionist leaders Lucretia Mott, William Still and Robert Purvis.
The A.M.E. Church, founded in Philadelphia in 1794 by Richard Allen, provided social services and educational programs along with religious guidance to free Blacks. It also was known as a haven for fleeing slaves, providing them with food, shelter and other help.
“The church has so much history,” Cape May Mayor Zach Mullock said. “We knew it needed to be preserved. The building itself gave little extra parking, as it’s on the very corner of the lot. The idea of knocking down the building was a terrible idea.”
Mullock said the fire damage (as the result of a truck hitting an electricity pole next to the building) was basically limited to the front of the church. “The bell tower was completely destroyed,” he said. “A lot of the front of the interior was damaged as well.
“Unfortunately, the rest of the church experienced extensive smoke damage. The fire raged for an extended period, as the Fire Department had to wait some time for the electric to be turned off.”
It was at Mullock’s first meeting as mayor that the City Council approved the purchase of the church. “This was so important to all of the City Council because we did not want to see the building be demolished and turned into parking,” he said. “The city bonded $1 million for the project. We received a grant from the county Open Space Board for Historic Preservation of $240,000.”
“In its restoration, we really wanted this to be a cultural and arts hub for the community. We want it to be a vibrant and active performing arts center. East Lynne Theater will be a wonderful steward of the building.
“The A.M.E. Church, in coordination with the rehabilitation of the entire area, which includes the Harriet Tubman Museum, library, Center for Community Arts, Greater Cape May Historical Society, Firefighters Museum and Stephen Smith House, will be a great addition to our community.
“The restoration has been a beautiful collaboration with local contractors and artisan craftsmen. They really put their hearts and souls into the rehabilitation of this building.”
Boberick said about half of the $1.2 million for the next part of the project has already been raised, thanks to a generous donation for stage-naming rights by the family of the late Gus Andy, owners of La Mer Resorts, Beach Avenue, which was matched by an anonymous donation.
“The capital campaign is critical so we can turn the theater into an equity theatrical performing space,” he said. “This will be a game-changer for us and the community because we want to make it a unique theatrical and arts experience that will honor the building, the rich Black history of the community and return it as a gathering place for everyone.”
This summer, Boberick said, the theater company plans to sponsor a photo exhibit, followed by an art exhibit at the church. “We are looking for an immersive and interactive theater experience, and we are thinking out of the box on how we can bring new levels of arts to our community,” he said.
The East Lynne Theater Company, currently in residence at the Cape May Presbyterian Church on Hughes Street, kicked off its New Beginnings Capital Campaign more than a year ago with a donation from Christina Clemans in honor of her late husband, Dave Clemans, a staunch historic preservationist. It has been renamed The Clemans Theater at the Allen A.M.E. Church.
Boberick said this season’s summer performances will be at the Presbyterian Church. However, the A.M.E. church will become the first permanent home in the 45-year history of the East Lynne company.
“Cape May has always been very arts-friendly and arts-centric,” he said, “and I think there is room enough for all of us (arts/cultural organizations) in the community because we are not doing things the same way. We are most excited to celebrate and collaborate with the other arts organizations in the community as we look to be a year-round group.”
A recent discovery of a note from 1891 by one of the contractors working on renovating the building “is so exciting,” Boberick said, and he hopes it helps spread the word about the company’s intent.
According to Kyle Carter, of Dkc Contractors LLC, this was the first time he found a letter “that old” in one of the buildings he has been involved with. “Never that old, and handwritten,” he said. “It’s almost 150 years old.”
The note, nailed on an inside beam of the ceiling, 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).” It is dated June 19, 1891.
“I actually saw it on the rafters from the floor as the crew was on a lift working,” Carter said. “After I read it, I thought it was unbelievable. They plastered the building for $250! I’m curious how many people plastered it because if it was just the two of them, it took a long time.”
“We actually didn’t touch it,” Carter said about the note, “and now it’s behind the sheet rock to be discovered again sometime in the future. That’s the best place to preserve it, actually. We may leave something in the steeple when we are working up there; it’s like a time capsule and another piece of history.”
He also found offering envelopes from 1937 and 1941.
Boberick said the theater group intends to “tell stories about the historical building” as the company plans for its future use.
“There will be something for everyone,” he said. “If you like history, like music, art or theater, if you love one or all of them, our plan is to strengthen our programs and offer something for everyone.”
Contact the reporter, Karen Knight, at kknight@cmcherald.com.
