BETHEL  -  1858

AND

FISK CHAPEL – 1882

RECORDED BY

ELLA CORLIES BAILEY – 1962

FAIR HAVEN AFRICAN METHODISM

PRESENTED TO

FISK CHAPEL

FEBRUARY 16, 1964

ELLA C. BAILEY

THE A.M.E. CHURCH IN FAIR HAVEN, NJ

            In 1858 the A.M.E. church was founded in Fair Haven, NJ.  The following names have come down to us as the founders: Anthony Quero, the leader, Edward Brown and his wife Martha, Jacob Brown and wife Martha, a Mr. Still. No record of him or his family.  The Brown brothers were quite young. Jacob Brown and his wife lived to be age and were active in the church well into the 20^th century.  Amos and Mary Holmes, Anthony Quero died early.  Joseph Holmes, Edward Brown died before the turn of the century.

            The early church was a neat wooden structure on the river bank opposite Brown’s Lane. The church was painted inside and out and a signed placed over the door Bethel.

            There were comfortable pews and a nice pulpit. The walls were white with a colored border around the ceiling.  The church was near the A.M.E. Zion church also on the river bank.  The Zion church burned down in 1872 and was rebuilt in Red Bank.

            There is no record of the early pastors but a goodly number of members were soon added to the church and the congregation grew.  Very early they were able to secure an organ which was played by a young music teacher, a member of the Sunday School, Miss Julia Williams, later Mrs. Albert.  She played for the church for many years, even after the new church was built.  She was later followed by two teenaged girls, one her niece, Miss Lillian Williams (later Mrs. Thompson) and Ella Corlies, later Mrs. Bailey.  Lillian played for several years even over into the 20^th century.  She was followed by a number of young girls including Mrs. Albert’s daughters, and the Hatfield sisters.  Mrs. Malvinia Hatfield Middleton, a young matron served the longest. 

            The new church was built in (1882) eighteen eighty-two, under the pastorate of Reverend J. T. Rex.

            The members and friends all donated largely, both in money and work on the new building which was situated near the new colored school on the street named after General Clinton B. Fisk, a rich resident of the famous Rumson Road.

            General Fisk was a veteran of the Civil War.  He was greatly interested in church work and his wife was for many years the national president of the Women’s Missionary Society of the Methodist church.  General Fisk donated to many of the local churches and organizations and finally became interested in the new colored church.  He and his friends donated largely in money and also sent new Bibles and hymnals and put chairs in both the classrooms.

            The church was dedicated by Bishop Brown.  General Fisk was present at the service.  Although stoves were still largely in use in those day, Fisk Chapel had a furnace installed when the church was built.  The church was lighted by chandeliers of kerosene lamps which could be lowered to light the lamps and would spring back in place.  After a few years these were replaced with electric lights.  

            There are still pipes in the walls which were intended for gas lights for in the meantime electric became popular.

            The parsonage was built under the pastorate of Reverend Frank Webster.  Probably 1889 or 1890.  The builders were James Corlies and Nathan Williams, both carpenters and members of the church.  The mason work was done by Mr. George Brown, a colored mason of Navesink, N.J.  The members and friends donated largely, both in money and work.

            About 1888 or 89, Reverend Pierce was pastor and he held a successful revival in which about fifteen young girls were converted.  Nathan Williams, the carpenter, formed a club of these girls to put new windows in the church.  When the church was built the windows were papered with what looked like stained glass, quite commonly used at that time, but soon went out of date.  The club raised funds.  They were very successful and put in the present glass windows which will last always.  Later Nathan Williams built the choir box which is fine looking and substantial and a tribute to his memory.

            Before the turn of the century the walls which had always been white were papered and the ceiling painted.

            While Reverend Cooper was pastor the metal ceiling was put in.  It probably will also always last.

            Fisk Chapel has had troubles as all churches have sometimes.  During Reverend Fisher’s pastorate the members had to call on the bishop for help as the pastor was appointing trustees instead of electing them.  The bishop decided to change the pastor, and things ran smoothly for a time and then we had Reverend George Watkins for pastor and he was tried for a very serious charge concerning a young girl and had to be removed.

            There have been times when only a faithful few have had to carry on for a while but always God finally brought them through.

            The new church and school house in the meantime had caused many colored people to settle in that vicinity.  Formerly there were in the heart of the village except uptown in Navesink Avenue and a few houses on what is now River Road.  Most of these houses are upwards of one to two-hundred years old and are now and always have been occupied by the better class of colored citizens.

            Brown’s Lane is still the homer of the later generation of the family which gave it that name over two-hundred years ago.  Still a worthy and respected name upheld by the present generation 1962.

            During the early days, General Fisk built houses for his colored help on streets near the church and school which they were able to pay for on easy terms.

            General Fisk passed away about the turn of the century, and Fisk Chapel held memorial services for him.  Several members of his family were present.

            For over fifty years Fisk Chapel held an Emancipation celebration starting in the late 1880’s and the last one held in the 1940’s.

(Page 5 missing, Page 6 paragraph continues…)

Reverend Clark was pastor he appointed Ella Corlies Bailey to the task.  In her youth she was one of the teenagers who played the church organ.  She served from 1925 to 1935, except for a brief period when Mrs. Frazier the pastor’s wife filled the place.  Mrs. Frazier was very talented and trained the choir for several fine concerts.  In the meantime Miss Field had charge of the children’s choirs and when Mrs Bailey resigned in 1935, she took over the senior choir.  Later she married Rev. John Collier, a prominent
A.M.E. minister in July 1954.

            For many years previous to her death in 1960 (October 11), Mrs. Collier was Sunday School District Superintendent of the New Brunswick District.  She was faithful in visiting the various Sunday Schools and encouraging them in their work.  Mrs. Collier’s marriage and funeral were memorable events in Fisk Chapel, and she was so active in the church and community and loved and respected by all.

            The marriage ceremony was by the pastor, Reverend Mitchell.  The groom’s son, Rev. John Collier, Jr, assisted in the ceremony and the church was filled to over flowing with admiring friends who proceeded to the bride’s home where abundant refreshments were served by members of Fisk Chapel. A very joyous occasion.

            The sad occasion was her funeral, only a few years later, October 14, 1960.  The service was impressive and dignified, following a printed programme lasting about an hour.  The choir sang beautifully and included a solo by William Harris.  The eulogy was delivered by Reverend Owens, residing elder of this district; Scripture reading by Reverend Goodwin of the A.M.E. Zion church; short speeches by the pastor Reverend Hollman and others including the Superintendent of Public Schools in Fair Haven.  The east class room was filled with teachers and pupils of the public school, Willow Street, where Mrs. Collier taught.  The mass of flowers enveloped the front of the church in arches over the casket and at each side of it and over the class room doors and banked around the casket.  The whole service was a credit to Fisk Chapel’s pastor and members.

            Mrs. Emma Fox, a colored school teacher of New York City, had a summer home across the street from Fisk Chapel for many years.  She often attended the church service and among many other donations she gave the furnace that heats the parish hall.  She was mostly noted for her girls’ singing club consisting of young women from Fair Haven and nearby towns.  She trained them and accompanied them on the piano and gave many fine concerts about 1930.  The community was saddened and shocked when her death occurred in the 1950’s.  While crossing River Road at night she was run down by a car and died in the hospital a few days later.

            The founders and early members of the A.M.E. church in Fair Haven were devout Christians and most of them lived to old age thereby training the later generations into the true Christian spirit.

            The following members had lived under this Christian training and left a heritage for the next generation to follow.

            Between 1954 and 1961 the following head officers of the church passed to their reward:

                        Frederick Brown, Steward and President of the Trustee Board since young manhood.

                        Edna Brown, his wife, faithful Stewardess and Treasurer of the Women’s Missionary Society.

                        Howard Corlies, faithful Trustee and Steward until his death at 90 years of age.

                        Herbert Johnson, faithful Trustee and Steward.

                        William Brown, faithful Trustee and Steward.

                        Frank Coy, faithful Trustee and Steward.

                        Mary Coy, his wife, faithful Stewardess.

                        Matilda Holmes, faithful Stewardess and Missionary and for over 30 years Sunday School                                    Superintendent.

Latest Deaths  -  1960 and 1961

                        Mrs. Collier, Choir Leader and Organist

                        Fanny Scales, faithful woman Trustee and Stewardess.

                        Edward Shomo, youngest Trustee.

Other Faithful Members

                        Cora Foster, Clara Treadwell, Arthur Berry

Former Members Active in Fisk Chapel

                        Mrs Jessie Hawkins, Trinity Church, Long Branch

                        Mrs. Emma Hicks and her sister Mrs May Reevey of Bridge St A.M.E. Church in Brooklyn of                                which Mrs. Hicks was for many years a Stewardess.

With the passing of these faithful souls, the church was left, in 1961, in the hands of a younger generation who are very devout and active Christians and keep the church up to date in every way which has encouraged many new members to join.

            During the past years, the various pastors have added improvements to the church property.  Added to the many earlier improvements:

            Reverend Clark put electric lights in the parsonage.

            Reverend Washington put running water and sink in the parsonage kitchen and with the help of Sunday School children tore down a small house owned by the town and got the town officials to donate it to the church.  The lumber was used to build a kitchen to the parish hall.

            Reverend Stevens was pastor ten years, he made many repairs and improvements including hot water and bath and furnace in the parsonage.

            Reverend Hamilton was pastor for a short time but he was able to train ushers in their duties and required all ushers and stewardesses to war white on communion Sundays.  He also acquired for the church he little communion service to be used by the pastor when visiting members.

            Reverend Gadston was the next pastor followed by Reverend Kelsey a very active young man.  This being his first pastorate.

            Reverend and Mrs Mitchell built a much needed improvement to the church. Restrooms added to the classrooms; the east side for women and the west side for men.

            Reverend Hollman, at this writing, 1962, haw put a gas stove and electric refrigerator in the parish hall and also a sink and running water and the church beautifully redecorated inside.

            Fair Haven colored people have always been mostly quiet, respectable and industrious.  Yet in the early years there were signs of talent.  In the 19^th century there were music teachers, Mrs Albert and her niece Miss Lilly Williams, later married to Professor Thompson, a school teacher.  And also two young concert singers, members of Fisk Chapel, Mary Steward (Madison) and Ella Corlies (Bailey).  They each sang only standard concert music, but were in much demand, each filling many engagements in nearly towns.  Mrs. Bailey continued well into middle age.  Many talents are still manifest in our young people.

POSTSCRIPT

            Mrs. Collier and her three choirs gave annual concerts to large audiences during her many years of service.

            Mrs. Teresa Sears started assisting in piano accompanying while very young.  Later as a student of the Julliard School of Music, New York, she accompanied and also played wonderful solos. (She and her mother are Fair Haveners). Now Mrs. Teresa Sears Daniels is director and organist of Shrewsbury Avenue A.M.E. Church, Red Bank.

            Mrs. Collier had a very lovely singing voice and she filled many concert engagements as soloist.

            Mrs. Collier’s trip to Africa, a notable event in her life  Reverend and Mrs Collier visited his daughter in Liberia.  She was married to a native government official of that country.  Fully educated, refined and dignified.

            The Collier’s returned home with glowing accounts of the government sessions in fine buildings very much like Great Britain.  They, the Colliers, also occupied a large fine mansion like the state officials.  They brought home samples of native work including pottery, textiles and various kinds of cloth which they exhibited and Reverend Collier gave talks on the habits and customs of the natives.

            The present generation, 1962, are training for the professions.  We have in our midst, school teachers, musicians, dieticians, singers, accountants and engineers.  We may also look forward to doctors, lawyers, public singers on the radio and television, in the near future.

This record written in 1962 by Ella Corlies Bailey, 90 years old.  First colored graduate of Red Bank High School, Class of 1892.

This document typed “SIC” from original manuscript, by Melanie Woods on April 13, 2008

BETHEL A.M.E. CHURCH, FAIR HAVEN, NJ

(Since 1882 Fisk Chapel.  No record of early pastors)

PASTORS 1876 TO 1962