Event Set To Honor Historic Allen AME Church In Cape May

CAPE MAY, NJ — Cape May residents and visitors are invited to a free September program focused on the history and cultural significance of the former Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church. “Allen AME: Our Stories, Our Space, Our Legacy” is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Clemans Theater for the Arts at the historic Allen AME Church, 717 Franklin St., Cape May. Registration is available at www.eastlynnetheater.org/allen-ame-legacy-event.

The program is being organized by the Allen AME Legacy Committee, a community-based committee founded in 2025 by East Lynne Theater Company. According to the announcement, the committee was created to help preserve, extend and share the history of Allen AME Church and its impact on Cape May. The committee includes former church members, descendants, local historians, artists, educators and community advocates.

“Allen AME Church has long been a beacon of faith, resilience, and community history, and this Legacy Program ensures its stories and cultural contributions continue to inspire future generations in its new chapter as home to East Lynne Theater Company,” said Janis Washington White, Allen AME Legacy Committee Co-Chair.

The afternoon event is described as both a celebration and reflection. It will highlight the stories, faith, resilience and contributions of Cape May’s African American community while also recognizing the church’s transformation into a cultural gathering space for East Lynne Theater Company and the City of Cape May.

The program is set to include live music by vocalist Bernadette Matthews, a keynote address by Rev. Dr. Mark Tyler, and a panel discussion titled “Faith, Learning & Belonging.” The panel will include community voices representing the themes of faith, education and belonging. Attendees will also be able to view curated displays of art, photography and archival materials documenting the church’s history and the broader legacy of Cape May’s African American community. Light refreshments and fellowship will follow the formal program.

Allen AME Church served for generations as a spiritual, educational and cultural cornerstone for Cape May’s African American residents. The announcement states that preservation advocates and community leaders rallied to save the church after a devastating fire in 2018.

“It is a privilege for East Lynne Theater Company to be trusted with protecting and sustaining the historical significance of this great building, and welcoming the community back to this extraordinary venue,” said Mark David Boberick, executive director of East Lynne Theater Company.

Today, the restored building serves as the home of East Lynne Theater Company, which has partnered with the City of Cape May to preserve both the structure and the legacy of the congregation that once worshipped there. Funding for the program comes through the Cape May County Board of County Commissioners via the Cape May County Division of Culture & Heritage, a partner of the New Jersey State Historical Commission. Corporate sponsors are Collier’s Liquor Store and Swain’s Hardware, both of Cape May.