THE HISTORY OF TRINITY A.M.E. CHURCH

Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church located in Gouldtown, New Jersey dates back over 200 years. Filled with a rich history of spreading God's love and serving the community, the church remains as a beacon of hope in the neighborhood. Read more below as we walk you through some of the history of the church.

THE BEGINNING

The history of Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church dates back over two hundred years when Reverend Reuben Cuff of Salem, NJ, suggested to the people of Gouldtown to organize the "Society". Rueben Cuff, the son of Charles "Cuffy" Cuff, was born in Salem, NJ on March 28, 1764. At a young age, he met Richard Allen and they became close friends. After his decision to become a Methodist preacher, his father built a log cabin church where Reuben preached to slaves raveling through the area with their masters.

In April 1816, representatives of churches from Philadelphia and Altheborough in Pennsylvania along with churches from Baltimore, Wilmington, and Salem met at the call of Richard Allen. The outgrowth of this meeting was the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Church with the adoption of the resolution: "Resolved: that the people of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and all other places who should unite with them, shall become one body under the name and style of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Reuben Cuff was the only person from New Jersey to attend this meeting, and voted for the adoption of the resolution. This movement to establish the A.M.E. Church more than any other efforts in African American history prior to the twentieth century represents a protest of dignity, respect and quality treatment. This early coming together for concerted action was the first unified organization of forces on the part of any African American Organization, and its success demonstrated what African American could do when they united in a common cause.

OLD STONE CHURCH

From 1792 until 1817, meetings were held in private homes in the Gouldtown area. Whenever the home was too small, they held their meetings in the barn owned by Benjamin Gould II. Prior to forming the "Society", the people of Gouldtown attended the Old Stone Church in Fairton, New Jersey.

The church was organized in 1818 by Reverend Jeremiah Miller. The original founders were: Furman Gould, Aaron Gould, Christian Gould, Hannah Gould, Benjamin Gould, Phoebe Gould, Richard Pierce, Charlotte Gould, Adrian Pierce, Rachel Pierce, Elizabeth Steward, Pierce Gould, Sarah Gould, Elijah Gould, Sarah Hicks, Ruth Henson, Anthony Pierce, Sarah Pierce, David Murray, Sarah Murray, Richard Pierce and Milla Pierce.

From 1823 until 1834, the Westcott School served as the first physical building in which the "Society" was able to hold religious services on a consistent basis. In 1825, ground was given to the members and they constructed a building which served as both a School House and a House of Worship.

EBENEZER A.M.E CHURCH

The Lummis School was purchased and moved to a lot on the Bridgeton-Millville Pike in Gouldtown. Services were held there from 1834 to 1860, which was dedicated as Ebenezer A.M.E. Church and again served as a School House for the community.

In 1837, a split occurred in the church which grew out of a question of authority. One party refused to receive the Annual Conference appointed Pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Belaugh. This appointment raised quite a stir among the membership and prior to the arrival of the pastor the membership considered barring the door, bleating of sheep, battering rams and tearing of clothes.

THE CONFLICT

Upon arrival, the minister was rather reluctant to enter the church. The group which favored the new minister had to take him in by force. This created a split within the congregation who left Ebenezer and formed another church in another location. Springtown (Bethel Othello) and Bridgeton (Mt. Zion) were organized as a result of this split. However, in 1851 was a season of great revival, during which thirty-four souls were added to the congregation of Trinity, among the new converts were Brother Jonathan Gould and his wife.

Rev. Peter D.W. Schureman was the founder of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church prior to the name being changed to Trinity. The first to pastor the newly erected church in 1860 was Rev. Joseph Smith.

Trinity A.M.E. Church has a rich history of serving the community and preparing the following pastors to be elected and consecrated Bishops: William Paul Quinn, A.W. Wayman, George A. Woodson, and Ben F. Lee also served as the Dean of Payne Theological Seminary.