All Parochial Giving (1891-1900) to the “Home Missions to Colored People” in the Diocese of New Jersey

The “Home Mission to Colored People” was founded under the name “Freedman’s Commission,” by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 1865 to aid in the education of newly emancipated Black people in the South. It was renamed the “Home Mission to Colored People” in 1868, and then folded into the Board of Missions in 1878, ceasing to be its own separately operating commission. Below is listed the raw data for the churches in the Diocese of New Jersey that gave to these domestic “Missions” reported between 1891 and 1900. This data is culled from the annual parochial reports published in diocesan convention journals during that time. You will find it far easier to search through this culled material than to search through the publicly available digital scans of diocesan journals directly. Perusing this data will allow you to follow leads from the diocesan journal reporting data more efficiently. Though the racial nomenclature employed in the original documentation is no longer acceptable in modern usage, the original wording of the text is preserved here for the sake of historical accuracy.

Nota bene: During this period the Woman’s Auxiliary to the Board of Missions did fundraising for various initiatives and reports those donations separately, however it is unclear to what degree individual parishes included donations to the Woman’s Auxiliary earmarked for “Home Missions to Colored People” in their parochial reports, and when they did, how (there is certainly overlap at times). As such, some of the fund data included here may be included in the Woman’s Auxiliary numbers as well, which are not noted here. 

 

A parochial report of (particularly generous) giving to the HMCP from St. Paul's, Camden
(2.4% of total parochial expenditures in 1899)

 

1891 Convention Journal[1]

Trinity, Asbury Park, for “missions to colored people, $35.00” 

St. Stephen’s, (Willingboro) Beverly, for “missions to colored people, $9.38” 

St. Andrew’s, Bridgeton, for “missions to colored people, $19.00”

St. Mary’s, Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $6.00”

St.. Barnabas,’ Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $2.00” 

St. Paul’s, Camden, for “missions to colored people, $126.45” 

St. John’s, Camden, for “Missions to colored people, $5.00” 

St. Barnabas,’ Camden, for “Missions to colored people, $20.00” 

St. Peter’s, Clarksboro, for “missions to colored people, $8.00” 

St. John’s, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $141.25” 

Grace Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $3.50” 

Christ Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $24.55” 

Trinity Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $28.00” 

Trinity Church, Fairview, for “missions to colored people, $26.50” 

Grace Church, Haddonfield, for “missions to colored people, $5.00” 

Grace Church, Merchantville, for “missions to colored people, $7.00” 

Trinity, Moorestown, for “missions to colored people, $85.00”

St. Andrew’s, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $14.38” 

Trinity, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $52.36” 

Holy Cross, N. Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $61.00” 

Grace Church, Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $25.00” 

Memorial Chapel, Riverside for “missions to colored people, $16.50” 

Christ Church, Riverton for “missions to colored people, $99.26” 

St. John’s, Salem, for “missions to colored people, $35.35” 

Shedakers Mission, for “Missions to colored people, $7.50” 

Christ Church, South Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $69.76” 

Trinity, Swedesboro, for “missions to colored people, $80.35” 

Christ Church, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $5.00” 

TOTAL: “PAROCHIAL EXPENDITURES… Missions to Colored People… $998.09” 

OUT OF “TOTAL FOR ALL OBJECTS… $271,350.90” (0.36%)

 

1892 Convention Journal[2]

Trinity, Asbury Park, for “missions to colored people, $34.00” 

St. John’s Avon-By-The-Sea, “$28.49... for colored people.”

St. Stephen’s Church, Beverly, for “missions to colored people, $22.04” 

St. Mary’s Church, Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $7.00” 

St. Barnabas’ Church, Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $2.00” 

St. Paul’s Church, Camden, for “missions to colored people, $123.56” 

St. John’s Church, Camden, for “missions to colored people, $12.68” 

St. Peter’s Church, Berkeley, Clarksboro, for “missions to colored people, $10.00” 

St. John’s Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $149.96

Grace Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $5.30” 

Christ Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $15.00” 

Trinity Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $831.16”*

St. Peter’s Church, Freehold, for “missions to colored people, $8.00” 

Grace Church, Merchantville, for “missions to colored people (boxes, &c.), $51.50” 

Trinity Church, Moorestown, for “missions to colored people, $37.50” 

St. Andrew’s Church, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $16.56” 

Trinity Church, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $80.00” 

Holy Cross, N. Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $24.00” 

St. James’ Church, Piscataway, for “missions to colored people, $50.00”** 

Grace Church, Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $25.00” 

St. John’s Church, Salem, for “missions to colored people, $30.74” 

Christ Church, South Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $49.27” 

Trinity Church, Swedesboro, for “missions to colored people (1 box), $30.00” 

Trinity Church, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $36.50” 

TOTAL “PAROCHIAL EXPENDITURES… Missions to Colored People… $897.82” 

OUT OF “TOTAL FOR ALL OBJECTS… $310,655.96” (0.28%)

 

* This is a typographical error, as shown by the total of all parochial giving.

** Given through the Woman’s Auxiliary.

 

1893 Convention Journal[3]

Trinity Church, Asbury Park, for “missions to colored people, $80.00” 

St. Stephen’s Church, Beverly, for “missions to colored people, $13.98” 

St. Paul’s Church, Bound Brook, for “missions to colored people, $10.00” 

St. Mary’s Church, Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $12.00” 

Chapel of the Holy Innocents, Burlington for “box for colored orphans, $20.00”

St. Barnabas’ Church, Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $2.00” 

St. Paul’s Church, Camden, for “missions to colored people, $131.66” 

St. Peter’s Church, Berkeley, Clarksboro, for “missions to colored people, $10.00” 

St. John’s Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $94.57” 

Grace Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $5.00” 

Trinity Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $51.00” 

St. Stephen’s, Florence, giving “for freedmen, $10.00”

St. Peter’s Church, Freehold, for “missions to colored people, $6.00” 

Grace Church, Merchantsville, for “missions to colored people, $5.00” 

Trinity Church, Moorestown, for “missions to colored people, $42.00” 

St. Andrew’s Church, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $18.00” 

Trinity Church, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $60.00” 

Holy Cross, N. Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $95.50” 

St. James’ Church, Piscataway, for “missions to colored people, $30.00” 

Grace Church, Piscataway, for “missions to colored people, $25.00” 

Trinity Church, Princeton, for “missions to colored people” 

Trinity Church, Red Bank, for “missions to colored people, $25.00” 

St. John’s Church, Salem, for “missions to colored people, $31.10” 

Christ Church, South Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $55.47” 

Trinity Church, Swedesboro, for “missions to colored people, $25.00” 

St. Michael’s Church, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $25.00” 

Trinity Church, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $45.00” 

TOTAL “PAROCHIAL EXPENDITURES… Missions to Colored People… $888.62” 

OUT OF “TOTAL FOR ALL OBJECTS… $252,297.65” (0.35%)

 

1894 Convention Journal[4]

Trinity Church, Asbury Park, for “missions to colored people (boxes), $35.00” 

St. Stephen’s Church, Beverly, for “missions to colored people, $136.75” 

St. Mary’s Church, Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $47” 

St. Barnabas’ Church, Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $3”

St. Paul’s Church, Camden, for “missions to colored people, $130” 

St. John’s Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $85.69” 

Grace Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $6.50” 

Christ Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $34.90” 

Trinity Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $54” 

St. Peter’s Church, Freehold, for “missions to colored people, $7.11” 

All Saints’ Memorial, Lakewood, for “missions to colored people, $17.90” 

Grace Church, Merchantsville, for “missions to colored people, $4.72” 

Christ Church, Middletown, for “missions to colored people, $4.00” 

Trinity Church, Moorestown, for “missions to colored people, $93.77” 

St. Andrew’s Church, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $13.50” 

Trinity Church, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $41.20” 

Holy Cross, N. Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $178.89” 

St. James’ Church, Piscataway, for “missions to colored people, $15.00” 

Grace Church, Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $158.15” 

Christ Church, Riverton, for “missions to colored people, $12.50” 

St. John’s Church, Salem, for “missions to colored people, $26.75” 

Christ Church, South Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $7.26”*

Trinity Church, Swedesboro, for “missions to colored people, $5.00” 

St. Michael’s Church, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $30.00” 

TOTAL “PAROCHIAL EXPENDITURES… Missions to Colored People… $1,333.39” 

OUT OF “TOTAL FOR ALL OBJECTS… $269,628.24” (0.49%)

 

* The 1894 Christ Church, South Amboy parochial report also concludes by saying: “The Woman’s Auxiliary has also sent a box worth $58.00 to the sufferers amongst the colored people by the storms in the South.”

 

1895 Convention Journal[5]

Trinity Church, Asbury Park, for “missions to colored people, $3.75” 

St. Stephen’s Church, Beverly, for “missions to colored people, $101.60” 

St. Mary’s Church, Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $12.00” 

St. Barnabas’ Church, Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $1.00”

St. Paul’s Church, Camden, for “missions to colored people, $122.44” 

St. Peter’s, Berkeley, Clarksboro, for “missions to colored people, $8.00” 

Grace Church, Crosswicks, for “missions to colored people, $2.11” 

Holy Innocents’ Church, Dunellen, for “missions to colored people, $48.00” 

St. John’s Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $80.00” 

Grace Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $4.50” 

Christ Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $8.50” 

Trinity Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $73.25” 

Trinity Church, Fairview, for “missions to colored people, value of box, $14.00” 

St. Mark’s, Hammonton, for “missions to colored people, $13.64” 

Trinity Church, Matawan, for “missions to colored people, $2.00” 

Grace Church, Merchantville, for “missions to colored people, $9.50” 

Christ Church, Middletown, for “missions to colored people, $5.50” 

Trinity Church, Moorestown, for “missions to colored people, $79.25” 

St. Andrew’s, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $8.00” 

Trinity Church, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $64.00” 

Christ Church, New Brunswick, for “missions to colored people, $14.20” 

Holy Cross, N. Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $10.00” 

St. James Church, Piscataway, for “missions to colored people, $27.93” 

Grace Church, Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $25.10” 

St. Peter’s, Rancocas, for “missions to colored people, value of box, $4.00”

Memorial Chapel, Riverside, for “missions to colored people, value of box, $8.00

Christ Church, Riverton, for “missions to colored people, $41.50” 

Trinity, Rocky Hill, for “missions to colored people, $1.00” 

St. John’s Church, Salem, for “missions to colored people, $40.51” 

St. Barnabas’ Church, Sand Hills, for “missions to colored people, $0.40” 

St. John’s Church, Sewaren, for “missions to colored people, $29.57” 

Our Redeemer, Shedakers, for “box for missions to colored people, $10.00

Christ Church, South Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $9.58” 

Good Shepherd, South Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $9.15”* 

Trinity Church, Swedesboro, for “missions to colored people, $4.50” 

St. Paul’s, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $4.00” 

Christ Church, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $4.50” 

Christ Church, Woodbury, for “missions to colored people, $5.80” 

TOTAL “PAROCHIAL EXPENDITURES… Missions to Colored People… $903.31” 

OUT OF “TOTAL FOR ALL OBJECTS… $306,271.97.” (0.29%)

 

* The figure reported for Chapel of the Good Shepherd, South Amboy is a lump sum including “Domestic, foreign, Indian” and HMCP.

 

1896 Convention Journal[6]

Trinity Church, Asbury Park, for “missions to colored people, $2.13” 

St. Stephen’s, Beverly, for “missions to colored people, $76.03” 

St. Paul’s, Bound Brook, for “missions to colored people, $3.00” 

St. Mary’s, Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $29.41” 

St. Barnabas,’ Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $2” 

St. Paul’s, Camden, for “missions to colored people, $143.00” 

St. John’s, Camden, for “missions to colored people, $100.00” 

Grace Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $5.02” 

Christ Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $30.87” 

St. Stephen’s, Florence, for “missions to colored people, $11.00” 

St. Mark’s, Hammonton, for “missions to colored people, $10.00” 

All Saints’ Memorial, Lakewood, for “missions to colored people, $68.50” 

St. Peter’s, Medford, for “missions to colored people, .50” 

Grace Church, Merchantsville, for “missions to colored people, $3.00” 

Christ Church, Middletown, for “missions to colored people, $4.00” 

Trinity Church, Moorestown, for “missions to colored people, $75.50” 

St. Andrew’s, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $66.54” 

Trinity Church, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $59.00” 

Christ Church, New Brunswick, for “missions to colored people, $25.18” 

Holy Cross, N. Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $71.50” 

Redeemer, N. Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $468.51” 

Grace Church, Pemberton, for “missions to colored people, $1.00” 

Grace Church, Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $36.00” 

Heavenly Rest, Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $5.00” 

St. Stephen’s, Plainfield, for “clothing for missions to colored people, value, $30.00” 

Trinity Church, Princeton, for “missions to colored people, $5.00” 

St. Paul’s, Rahway, for “missions to colored people, $6.25” 

Christ Church, Riverton, for “missions to colored people, $32.50” 

St. John’s, Salem, for “missions to colored people, $13.27” 

St. John’s, Sewaren, for “missions to colored people, $2.00” 

Christ Church, South Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $10.92” 

Doane Chapel, South Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $7.63”*

St. Paul’s, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $3.00” 

Christ Church, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $10” 

Trinity Church, Vincentown, for “missions to colored people, $3.00” 

Christ Church, Woodbury, for “missions to colored people, $4.50” 

TOTAL “PAROCHIAL EXPENDITURES… Missions to Colored People,… $1417.76” 

OUT OF “TOTAL FOR ALL OBJECTS… $274,412.96” (0.52%)

 

* The figure reported for Doane Memorial Chapel, South Amboy is a lump sum including “Domestic, foreign, India” and HMCP.

 

1897 Convention Journal[7]

Trinity Church, Asbury Park, for “missions to colored people, $9.00” 

St. Stephen’s, Beverly, for “missions to colored people, $52.80” 

St. Paul’s, Bound Brook, for “missions to colored people, $14.30” 

St. Mary’s, Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $7.00” 

St. Barnabas,’ Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $1.00” 

St. Paul’s, Camden, for “missions to colored people, $28.00” 

St. Peter’s, Berkeley/Clarksboro, for “missions to colored people, $7.00” 

Holy Innocents, Dunellen, for “missions to colored people, $60.20” 

St. John’s, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $85.00” 

Grace Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $3.00” 

Christ Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $30.34” 

Trinity Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $89.25” 

St. George’s, Helmetta, for “missions to colored people, $7.80” 

All Saints,’ Lakewood, for “missions to colored people, $12.00” 

St. Andrew’s, Lambertville, for “missions to colored people, $17.00” 

Grace Church, Merchantsville, for “missions to colored people… $71.00”* 

St. Luke’s, Metuchen, for “missions to colored people, $75” 

Christ Church, Middletown, for “missions to colored people, $2.50” 

Trinity Church, Moorestown, for “missions to colored people, $20.25” 

St. Andrew’s, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $99.49” 

Trinity Church, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $10.00” 

Christ Church, New Brunswick, for “missions to colored people, $22.96” 

Holy Cross, N. Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $165.15” 

St. Peter’s, Perth Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $40.00” 

Grace Church, Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $41.00” 

Memorial Chapel, Riverside, for “missions to colored people, $1.00” 

Christ Church, Riverton, for “missions to colored people, $32.50” 

St. John’s Chapel, Little Silver, for “missions to colored people, $3.00” 

St. John’s, Salem, for “missions to colored people, $14.00” 

St. John’s, Sewaren, for “missions to colored people, $3.54” 

Christ Church, South Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $57.15” 

St. Paul’s, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $5.00” 

Christ Church, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $2.63” 

Trinity Church, Vineland, for “missions to colored people, $7.50” 

TOTAL “PAROCHIAL EXPENDITURES… Missions to Colored People,… $1101.34” 

OUT OF “TOTAL FOR ALL OBJECTS… $279,829.24” (0.39%)

 

* “including value of boxes”

 

1898 Convention Journal[8]

St. Stephen’s, Beverly, for “missions to colored people, $52.02” 

St. Paul’s, Bound Brook, for “missions to colored people, $16.80” 

St. Andrew’s, Bridgeton, for “missions to colored people, $21.50” 

St. Mary’s, Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $5.00” 

S. Paul’s, Camden, for “missions to colored people, $127.58” 

St. John’s, Chews Landing, for “missions to colored people, $5.00” 

St. Peter’s, Berkeley Clarksboro, for “missions to colored people, $2.00” 

Holy Innocents’ Church, Dunellen, for “missions to colored people, $21.45” 

St. John’s Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $160.00” 

Grace Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $2.50” 

Trinity Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $78.00” 

St. George’s, Helmetta, for “missions to colored people, $15.00” 

St. Mary’s, Keyport, for “missions to colored people, $3.34” 

All Saints,’ Lakewood, for “missions to colored people, $100.00” 

Grace Church, Merchantville, for “missions to colored people, $66.12” 

Trinity, Moorestown, for “missions to colored people, $56.34” 

St. Andrew’s, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $56.40” 

Holy Cross, N. Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $206.19” 

Redeemer, N. Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $16.23”* 

St. Peter’s, Perth Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $60.00” 

Grace Church, Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $25.00” 

Trinity, Princeton, for “missions to colored people, $16.53” 

Trinity, Red Bank, for “missions to colored people, $5.00” 

Christ Chapel, Riverton, for “missions to colored people, $27.50” 

Trinity, Rocky Hill, for “missions to colored people, $11.36” 

St. John’s, Salem, for “missions to colored people, $17.67” 

All Saints,’ (Fanwood) Scotch Plains, for “missions to colored people, $20.00” 

Christ Church, South Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $25.04” 

St. Paul’s, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $21.00” 

Christ Church, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $2.50” 

Trinity, Vineland, for “missions to colored people, $5.95” 

Christ Church, Woodbury, for “missions to colored people, $3.00” 

TOTAL “PAROCHIAL EXPENDITURES… Missions to Colored People,… $1380.86” 

OUT OF “TOTAL FOR ALL OBJECTS… $298,954.06” (0.46%)

 

* The Redeemer Church, North Plainfield also reports “The Woman’s Auxiliary sent out two boxes of garments during the past month. One to the colored mission under Rev. F. L. Guerry, Waverly Mills, S.C., valued at $113.50; the other to the Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital, Omaha, Neb., valued at $75.00.”

 

1899 Convention Journal[9]

St. Stephen’s, Beverly, for “missions to colored people, $9.74” 

St. Mary’s, Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $11.19” 

St . Barnabas,’ Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $2.00” 

St. Paul’s, Camden, for “missions to colored people, $329.18” 

Holy Innocents,’ Dunellen, for “missions to colored people, goods valued, $6.50” 

St. John’s, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $142.89” 

Grace Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $4.37” 

Christ Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $14.21” 

Trinity Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $45.00” 

St. George’s, Helmetta, for “missions to colored people, $13.78” 

Grace Church, Merchantville, for “missions to colored people, $20.00” 

Trinity, Moorestown, for “missions to colored people, $5.00” 

St. Andrew’s, Mt. Holly, for “missions to colored people, $31.35” 

Christ Church, New Brunswick, for “missions to colored people, $7.60” 

St. John's, New Brunswick, for “missions to colored people, $2.00” 

Holy Cross, N. Plainfield, for “missions to colored people, $120.40” 

St. Peter’s, Perth Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $50.00” 

Grace Church, Plainfield,  for “missions to colored people, $10” 

St. Mary’s Church, Point Pleasant, for “missions to colored people, $21.14”

St. Paul’s Church, Rahway, for “missions to colored people, $14.56”*

Trinity, Red Bank, for “missions to colored people, $25.00” 

Christ Church, Riverton, for “missions to colored people, $22.50” 

St. John’s, Salem, for “missions to colored people, $20.93” 

St. John’s, Somerville, for “missions to colored people, $5.00” 

Christ Church, South Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $22.02” 

St. Michael’s, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $25.00” 

Trinity Church, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $2.00” 

All-Saints’ Church, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $30.55” 

Trinity Church, Vineland, for “missions to colored people, $8.00”** 

Christ Church, Woodbury, for “missions to colored people, $3.00” 

TOTAL “PAROCHIAL EXPENDITURES… Missions to Colored People,… $1556.84” 

OUT OF “TOTAL FOR ALL OBJECTS… $325,005.31” (0.47%)

 

*St. Paul’s, Rahway also reports: “In addition to the contributions to missions, herein reported, the Woman’s Auxiliary and the Junior Auxiliary have sent several boxes of clothing to missionaries among the Indians and the colored people.”

** This giving was through the Woman’s Auxiliary.

 

1900 Convention Journal[10]

Stephen’s, Beverly, for “missions to colored people, $11.91” 

St. Barnabas,’ Burlington, for “missions to colored people, $2.00” 

St. Paul’s, Camden, for “missions to colored people, $172.52” 

St. John’s, Chews Landing, for “missions to colored people, $2.00” 

Holy Innocents,’ Dunellen, for “missions to colored people, $2.00” 

St. John’s, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $78.20” 

Grace Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $4.55” 

Trinity Church, Elizabeth, for “missions to colored people, $80.00” 

Trinity Church, Fairview, for “missions to colored people, $15.00” 

St. George’s, Helmetta, for “missions to colored people, $5.50” 

All Saints’ Memorial, Lakewood, for “missions to colored people, $40.00” 

St. Andrew’s, Lambertville, for “missions to colored people, $5.00” 

Grace Church, Merchantville, for “missions to colored people, $5.00” 

St. Luke’s, Metuchen, for “missions to colored people, $6.71” 

Christ Church, Middletown, for “missions to colored people, $2.00” 

Trinity Church, Moorestown, for “missions to colored people, $7.74” 

St. Andrews,’ Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $7.06” 

Trinity Church, Mount Holly, for “missions to colored people, $25.00” 

Christ Church, New Brunswick, for “missions to colored people, $26.00” 

St. John's, New Brunswick, for “missions to colored people, $8.00” 

Trinity Church, Princeton, for “missions to colored people, $39.65” 

St. Paul’s, Rahway, for “missions to colored people, $14.56” 

Trinity Church, Red Bank, for “missions to colored people, $50.00” 

Memorial Chapel, Riverside, for “missions to colored people, $70.75” 

Christ Church, Riverton, for “missions to colored people, $32.50” 

St. John’s, Salem, for “missions to colored people, $17.30” 

Redeemer (Shedaker’s Mission), for “missions to colored people, $16.25” 

St. John’s, Somerville, for “missions to colored people, $21.00” 

Christ Church, South Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $18.62” 

Doane Chapel, South Amboy, for “missions to colored people, $1.37” 

St. Paul’s, Trenton, for “Missions to Colored People, $5.00” 

Christ Church, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $10.00” 

All-Saints Church, Trenton, for “missions to colored people, $25.00” 

Trinity Church, Vincentown, for “missions to colored people, $15.00” 

Trinity Church, Vineland, for “missions to colored people, $10.00” 

TOTAL “PAROCHIAL EXPENDITURES… Missions to Colored People,… $921.49” 

OUT OF “TOTAL FOR ALL OBJECTS… $314,226.95.” (0.29%)

 

Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, Ph.D.

Reparations Commission Research Historian

Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey

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[1] Diocese of New Jersey, Journal of the Proceedings of the One Hundred and Nineteenth Convention, Being the One Hundred and Sixth Year of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New Jersey; Held in Grace Church, Plainfield, Tuesday, May 5^th, and Wednesday, May 6^th, MDCCCXCI. Together with Appendices, and the Episcopal Address (Princeton: The Princeton Press, 1891), 76-143.

[2] Diocese of New Jersey, Journal of the Proceedings of the One Hundred and Twentieth Convention, Being the One Hundred and Seventh Year of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New Jersey; Held in St. Paul’s Church, Camden, Tuesday, May 3^rd, and Wednesday, May 4^th, MDCCCXCII. Together with Appendices and the Episcopal Address (Princeton: The Princeton Press, 1892), 75-143.

[3] Diocese of New Jersey, Journal of the Proceedings of the One Hundred and Twenty-First Convention, Being the One Hundred and Eighth Year of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New Jersey; Held in Christ Church, New Brunswick, Tuesday, May 9^th, and Wednesday, May 10^th, MDCCCXCIII. Together with Appendices and the Episcopal Address (Princeton: The Princeton Press, 1893), 73-145.

[4] Diocese of New Jersey, Journal of the Proceedings of the One Hundred and Twenty-Second Convention, Being the One Hundred and Ninth Year of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New Jersey; Held in Saint Andrew’s Church, Mount Holly, Tuesday, May 8^th, and Wednesday, May 9^th, MDCCCXCIV. Together with Appendices and the Episcopal Address (Princeton: The Princeton Press, 1894), 77-151.

[5] Diocese of New Jersey, Journal of the Proceedings of the One Hundred and Twenty-Third Convention, Being the One Hundred and Tenth Year of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New Jersey; Held in Trinity Church, Trenton. Tuesday, May 7^th, and Wednesday May 8^th. MDCCCXCV. Together with Appendices and the Episcopal Address (Princeton: The Princeton Press, 1895), 77-153.

[6] Diocese of New Jersey, Journal of the Proceedings of the One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth Convention, Being the One Hundred and Eleventh Year of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New Jersey; Held in St. John’s Church, Elizabeth. Tuesday May 5^th, and Wednesday May 6^th. MDCCCXCVI. Together with Appendices and the Episcopal Address (Princeton: The Princeton Press, 1896), 70-150.

[7] Diocese of New Jersey, Journal of the Proceedings of the One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Convention, Being the One Hundred and Twelfth Year of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New Jersey; Held in Grace Church, Plainfield, Tuesday, May 4^th and Wednesday, May 5^th. MDCCCXCVII. Together with Appendices and the Episcopal Address (Princeton: The Princeton Press, 1897), 70-147.

[8] Diocese of New Jersey, Journal of the Proceedings of the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Convention, Being the One Hundred and Thirteenth Year of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New Jersey; Held in Saint Mary’s Church, Burlington, Tuesday, May 3^rd, and Wednesday, May 4^th, MDCCCXCVIII. Together with Appendices and the Episcopal Address (Princeton: The Princeton Press, 1898), 65-139.

[9] Diocese of New Jersey, Journal of the Proceedings of the One Hundred and Twenty-Seventh Convention, Being the One Hundred and Fourteenth Year of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New Jersey; Held in Trinity Church, Princeton, Tuesday, May 9^th, and Wednesday, May 10^th, MDCCCXCIX. Together with Appendices and the Episcopal Address (Princeton: The Princeton Press, 1899), 70-143.

[10] Diocese of New Jersey, Journal of the Proceedings of the One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Convention, Being the One Hundred and Fifteenth Year of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New Jersey; Held in St. James’ Church, Atlantic City, Tuesday, May 8^th, and Wednesday, May 9^th, MDCCCC. Together with Appendices, the Episcopal Address, and Pastoral Letter (Princeton: The Princeton Press, 1900), 63-135.

St. Augustine's, Asbury Park: 2024 Stations of Reparations Address

The following is a transcript of remarks given by Ms. Linda Shomo of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Asbury Park, at the March 16, 2024 Stations of Reparations Service at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Asbury Park.[1]

 

St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, Asbury Park. Photo by Jolyon Pruszinski.

Good Afternoon Saints.

My name is Linda Shomo, and I’ve been a member of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church of Asbury Park for as long as I can remember. As a child I was baptized and confirmed in the old church on Sylvan Ave. I attended Sunday School, which started my spiritual foundation. Remember, it takes a village to raise a child, and St. Augustine’s provided that safe space.

I was an officer in E.Y.C., Episcopal Young Churchmen and Churchwomen, and spent many awesome years involved in activities on the convocation level and diocesan level of the Episcopal Church. It was also our social safe space, where we engaged with other Episcopal youth. We joined everyone at Medford Lake for weekend retreats, both spiritual and social. Those memories are still a part of my happy days (I’m dating myself here).

My love of music (i.e. singing) reconnected me back to St. Augustine’s to sing in the choir. I’ve been involved in praising the Lord through singing for over fifty-five years. Music feeds me spiritually and enhances my worship.

I’ve always had a love of young people, so it was not a surprise when I became a young adult youth leader at a very young age. I wanted other young folks to experience the love of Jesus through fellowship and worship. I spent over seven years on the Diocesan Youth Council as an advisor. I also taught Sunday school and was the superintendent of Sunday school for many years.

St. Augustine’s is a Historic Black Church. It was founded by The Rev. A.J. Miller, Rector of Trinity Church, Asbury Park. As a result of the Cottage Mission Services, he conducted in 1890 for the people of the Westside of Asbury Park, Bishop John Scarborough took great interest in the work being accomplished by Rev. Miller and he turned over $637.43, the Advent Offering of 1892, for the purpose of property and the construction of a Chapel. Through hard work and sacrifices, land was purchased. On All Saints Day 1893, Rev. Miller laid the cornerstone for the Chapel on Sylvan Ave. On January 3, 1894, Bishop Scarborough blessed the Chapel and the first Eucharist was performed on January 14, 1894. [From] the inception of this first building program, the congregation and countless friends made many donations to the Chapel. 

It was recommended by 1904 that we apply for status as a Parish, and we’ve been a Parish ever since. We continued to grow in numbers, heavily involved in the community and doing great things. Due to urban renewal, we relocated to this current church building, which was dedicated on October 17, 1971 by Bishop Albert Van Duzer. We were able to retire the mortgage in 1995. We have always been a parish of highly professional members, which includes doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers, teachers, police officers – including the first Black Chief of Police, State Assembly Person, first Black Mayor of Asbury Park, and numerous City Council Members.

I was born and raised in Neptune, the next town over from Asbury Park, and I ‘ve always known about Trinity Episcopal Church, Asbury Park and the connected history of both churches. Most importantly, I also lived through this history as a teenager. We never felt welcomed to join them in activities and worship. We were allowed occasionally to use the gym for basketball, but never jointly with the Trinity youth. It wasn’t until later in my life that we were invited and welcomed to participate. Asbury Park as a whole was, and still is, divided by the Eastside and across the railroad tracks the Westside.

[There was] a riot in Asbury Park from July 4 through July 10, 1970. Looting and destruction left more than 180 people injured and [an] estimated five million dollars in damages. It was stated by the Asbury Park-Neptune NAACP that lack of jobs, vacant housing situations caused by “urban renewal,” and non-inclusion of the Westside in decision-making played a major role in the cause of this riot. I remember participating in a Prayer Vigil with St. James Episcopal Church, Bradley Beach, with the late Rev. Kenneth Gluckow, at St. Augustine’s right after the riot ended, praying for peace and restoration of the city. 

Urban towns to black folks are special. Some of us were born and raised in these towns and we remain committed to lifting up and sustaining our urban towns to succeed and prosper. Sometimes we need assistance to sustain the standard levels that suburban towns take for granted. We don’t always have opportunities to advance our properties but nonetheless, we desire to remain on an even playing field. Asbury Park is a prime example of this fact. The Eastside is now completely gentrified. When Asbury Park was in trouble financially after White-flight, Black folks remained on the Eastside and Westside owning homes and businesses in the downtown area. We remained loyal even when the town did not show us love. No money was ever available to develop businesses and properties. Projects remained incomplete and the town went down even farther. At some point in time, developers started investing money in land and properties, and to-date Asbury Park is an eclectic town with million-dollar condos, town houses, and lofts.

We are loyal to our Black Churches and we want the same opportunities that are afforded to everyone else. We are sometimes invisible to society at large and we must remain united in order to make sure that we are treated equally, especially during these turbulent times, both political and financial.

St. Augustine’s remains committed to creating opportunities wherever and whenever possible. Outreach programs are vital to sustainability within our communities. We have [had] Sunday feeding programs since the early 1990’s and we feed our community each Sunday. God always provides a way, even during the COVID Pandemic. We also have an after-school enrichment program for our urban youth. We now have an enrollment of nine young people. We offer homework assistance, arts, crafts, games, a reading library, presentations on enrichment to show our Black youth that they can overcome all barriers and be whatever they want to be, positive role models, plus a full-course dinner meal. These young people look forward to Wednesdays. We now have a family who plans to attend Easter service. Thank you E.C.S.[2] for the grant which assists us in maintaining these programs.

St. Augustine’s remains fully involved on the diocesan and national Church levels. We stay visible and involved so that people know who we are, and that Asbury Park is the home of two Episcopal churches. Thank you for this opportunity to share my personal story of my beloved church, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, located in Asbury Park, New Jersey.           

 

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[1] For a description of the service see Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, "Stations of Reparations Service, St. Augustine's Asbury Park, NJ March 16, 2024," DNJRJR (May 1, 2024): https://dionj-racialjusticereview.blogspot.com/2024/05/news-stations-of-reparations-service-st.html.

[2] Episcopal Community Services. 

Trinity Church, Asbury Park: 2024 Stations of Reparations Address

The following is a transcript of remarks given by Rev. Chase Danford of Trinity Episcopal Church, Asbury Park, at the March 16, 2024 Stations of Reparations Service at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Asbury Park;[1] The narrative is a product of the research conducted by the Trinity Church Racial Justice Project founded in 2015:

 

BaghChal, Trinity Church (Asbury Park, New Jersey), CC BY-SA 3.0

The racial justice history of Trinity Church is directly tied to the history of Asbury Park. Trinity is the oldest religious congregation, and traces its first worship services to gatherings of local Episcopalians in city founder James Bradley’s office, as well as some services in private homes. The first service outside a private home or office took place in 1874 in Library Square Park, just across from what is now the site of the church. Congregants gathered under a tent, and the service was led by Bishop Scarborough. Worship then moved to the new property, gifted by James Bradley, and a wooden church was dedicated in July 1875. Bradley granted land along Grand Avenue for all of the original Protestant churches in Asbury Park. These were all predominantly or exclusively White congregations. There is a plaque among the floor tiles of our narthex acknowledging Bradley’s gift. But it is important to note that there were people who lived within the bounds of Asbury Park long before Bradley bought the land. 

The Indigenous People of the area that became New Jersey resided in these lands for approximately 12,000 years before European explorers and colonists arrived. The Lenape were named such for being “original peoples”, the elders or grandmothers and grandfathers who lived there, connected by numerous clans named by animals. The Lenape on the land that Trinity Episcopal now resides on in Asbury Park were part of what were called Scheyischbi, those who lived in the land between the waters of rivers to the north and west and the ocean to the east and south. The Lenape who resided within what is now the Monmouth County’s boundaries were primarily Unalachtigo [or] “people near the ocean” and members of the Turkey Clan. Those to the north of the Turkey Clan were Unami [or] “people down river” of the Turtle Clan. These peoples spoke dialects of Algonquin, and while many places carry traces of their original names, the cultures and meanings of those places to the Lenape have been erased by the colonizers. Trinity Episcopal Church recognizes that it occupies land that was stolen or underpaid for by the Europeans that settled here in the 17th century, in spite of the land purchases of James Bradley that marked the founding of Asbury Park. 

Our church’s benefactor and the founder of Asbury Park, James Bradley, is also responsible in large part for the city’s policy of segregation. While he described himself as having no racial prejudices, he actively put into place White supremacist policies in order to advance Asbury Park’s economic development. From its beginnings, Asbury Park had a thriving population of people of color and it was noted by the New York Post as having the most racially liberal environment of any community on the East Coast. But that turned out to be a problem, and in the summer of 1885, ten years after Trinity Church was established as a summer congregation and twelve years after the city was founded, the headline of an editorial in the local paper, run by Bradley, declared that there were “too many colored people” in Asbury Park. “While disagreeable to say” (and editors wanted to make sure Black people had full rights and privileges), they are “becoming a nuisance” by “intruding themselves in places designed only for guests.” 

A year later, in 1886, a young Black man, Mingo Jack, from nearby Eatontown was murdered by a lynch mob, accused of attacking a young White woman. In 1887, the Asbury park beach was segregated, with limited hours for people of color. In 1888, the city council supported Bradley’s proposition that any band hired to play on the beachfront be White and Americanized only. By 1903, people of color were restricted to an area of the beach known as the Mud Hole, where the city sewers dumped into the sea. In 1903, over Bradley’s objections, the city annexed the Springwood Avenue area of the West Side. Bradley feared that this action would give “our city the largest pro-rata colored voters of any city in New Jersey,” leading to “great depreciation of property.” The annexation went through, but the city did not provide basic services for decades. By the early 1920’s KKK was active in Asbury Park, including in some Protestant churches. We do not know whether this included Trinity.[2]

Moving back to Trinity’s early days in the 1870’s and 80’s, we have no records of any people of color being baptized, married, buried or listed as communicants of the church until 1890. That is not so surprising, given that it was largely a summer chapel during those years (although provision for year-round ministry was made in 1880), and that the resorts on the east side were segregated. We can assume but cannot definitely say that the church was entirely segregated. In 1890, Bishop Scarborough gave a stirring message at Diocesan Convention calling on the diocese not to neglect ministry to Black Americans. While he said that “in the Church of Christ there should be no distinction of race or color; that all should meet together and be one in the assembly of God's people,” he also indicated that segregated ministries would be preferred by all interests. 

Soon after this address, in the Fall of 1890, Trinity’s new rector, The Rev. A.J. Miller (who had started in the spring) began what was referred to as Cottage Mission services for people of color on the west side. The bishop took great interest in the work of Father Miller and gave the Advent offering to begin work on the chapel. It seems he was instrumental in the growth of the mission. Fr. Miller was assisted in the west side ministry during the summer by students from the Bishop Payne Divinity School in Virginia, a seminary for Black students preparing for ministry. 

After the mission was established, sacramental ministry to people of color did take place in Trinity Church itself. In 1892 - 93, there were fifteen baptisms of African American children and adults in Trinity Church or, on occasion, a private home. These baptisms always took place on days separate from the baptism of the White church members. The only exception is the baptism of three African American children with a White foundling. During the 1890’s, marriages of people of color, both Black and Indigenous, also took place at Trinity, even after St. Augustine’s Chapel was open. One wonders why the church felt it necessary to indicate the race of these individuals being baptized or married, but had they not, we would know even less than we do about the racial history of Trinity. 

One of the children of color baptized at Trinity in 1891 was Rockel Florita Richardson, whose Cherokee and Delaware-descended family, the Richardsons and Reveys, originally settled in the Shrewsbury area in the early 19th century and later purchased 15 acres in Sand Hill, in what is now Neptune Township, sometimes referred to as West Asbury, renaming the area Richardson Heights. The Richardsons and Reveys then intermarried with many of the Black families of West Asbury Park. The Richardson and Revey family built the St Augustine’s mission chapel on Sylvan Avenue and donated windows and brass railings and served there as readers, acolytes, organists and leaders of the congregation for many years. 

We know very little of Trinity’s racial history in the early to mid 20th century, but parishioner memories indicate that Trinity had a limited relationship with St. Augustine’s and that Trinity was almost exclusively White until the 1980’s or 90’s, when several prominent Black families joined the church. We can say that Trinity has never been led by a clergyperson of color and that all of its wardens over the past 149 years have been white. Several people of color have served on the vestry in the last few decades, although not in great numbers. We currently have one vestry member who is a person of color. 

Attention and energy have been put toward becoming an anti-racist church, including diversifying the iconography of our sacred space. In the 1990’s, a wooden crucifix was commissioned to be designed by a Senegalese artist that intentionally depicts Jesus with non-Caucasian features. It now stands over our main altar. In 2008, a new set of windows above our chapel’s altar was dedicated, showing the Virgin Mary and other figures with non-White skin tones, alone among our stained glass. Only a few years ago, a Black child noticed that our Nativity creche featured only White figures, and so the family gave a gift of angel figurines of color to display at the top of the creche. This past Christmas, we decided that it would be the last Christmas we would display the White Nativity figures. Our children’s ministry team is dedicated to showing children diverse representations of biblical and historical figures in the curriculum. 

About 7 years ago, we formed a Racial Justice Project to raise awareness in the congregation and community, and we began collaborating more intentionally with St. Augustine’s Church. Around the same time, we began a Spanish language ministry in this city in which about one third of the people are Latino, many of whom are primarily Spanish speakers. Three years ago we began an intentional process of thinking about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in our hiring process, although our staff still does not represent the wider diverse community in which we live. Two and a half years ago, when we hired our new Music Director, our job description specifically stated that we expected the successful candidate to lead us into worshiping with music from across the diverse spectrum of the American and global church, and we have been doing that. Advocacy from our congregation has been valuable in the City Council’s passage of legislation establishing Indigenous People’s Day as a civic holiday, in calling for a statewide reparations task force, and in establishing an equity in policing commission. This past year we commissioned a Racial Justice Audit team within the congregation to evaluate how we are doing in our efforts to become an anti-racist church. They have surveyed the congregation, conducted many in-person interviews, made presentations to the vestry, are compiling historical records, and are about to begin reaching out to members of the wider Asbury Park community to gather their input about our racial justice efforts. 

Much work remains to be done, but we hope to move into a bright, anti-racist future as a congregation, and we hope to collaborate more with our siblings in Christ at St. Augustine’s Church.

 

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[1] For a description of the service see Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, "Stations of Reparations Service, St. Augustine's Asbury Park, NJ March 16, 2024," DNJRJR (May 1, 2024): https://dionj-racialjusticereview.blogspot.com/2024/05/news-stations-of-reparations-service-st.html. 

[2] Editor’s note: According to research by the Diocesan Reparations Commission historian, it almost certainly did. See Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, “Episcopal Sympathy for the KKK in New Jersey: Initial Observations,” DNJRJR (January 31, 2025): https://dionj-racialjusticereview.blogspot.com/search?q=Asbury.