Historic Macedonia
African Methodist Episcopal Church
261 Spruce Street | Camden, New Jersey 08103
WHO WE ARE
Our History
Founded in 1832, Macedonia African Methodist Episcopal Church was Camden’s first, and therefore oldest, African American institution. It was established in Fettersville, Camden’s first urban neighborhood. It remains on the same site on which it was founded in 1832, which thus becomes the oldest parcel of real estate continuously owned by African Americans in the city. In 1832 Mrs. Annie George, a resident of South Camden, began a series of prayer meetings held at different houses on Spruce Street below Third Street. During a meeting that was held in the home of Benjamin Wilson, resolutions were adopted for the building of a small church. In 1833 the cornerstone was laid and the church, a one-story frame building, 20 by 30 feet, was completed and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies by the Rev. Joseph Caul. This church was destroyed by fire in 1837. The congregation rebuilt the building as a brick structure by 1838.
As the membership grew the congregation brought an adjoining lot. An agreement was made between Rev. and Mrs. Morris Brown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, party of the first part; and Perry Wilson, Miley Butler, Joseph Anderson and their successors in office forever, party of the second part, all of the City of Camden in the County of Gloucester, State of New Jersey. The price of the lot was $100. The church was rebuilt in 1850 with larger dimensions to meet the needs of the increasing membership. The congregation purchased additional land adjoining the church where in 1883 the current, two-story structure was begun under the pastorate of Rev. W. H. Yocum and completed under the pastorate of Rev. A. H. Newton. The mortgage was burned under the pastorate of Rev. Henry Kughn Spearman.
Macedonia and the Underground Railroad
Macedonia’s eventual connection with the Underground Railroad was a logical next step in its pursuit of equality for African Americans. However, before doing so, it was very involved in the fight for the rights of African Americans within its own community. Early on, Macedonia’s congregation put the principles and beliefs of the A.M.E. Church into action when they supported anti-slavery activities. This was evidenced by eyewitness accounts of the members’ aggressive responses against slave-catcher activity. Slave hunters appeared in Fettersville with the sole purpose to abduct John Collins, an African American living near the church. They were driven off by a mob of women wielding clubs and pokers.
Another incident took place during the local ministry of Reverend Thomas Clement Oliver who later, as an itinerant minister, served several other A.M.E. churches in New Jersey. Reverend Oliver was the foremost authority on the Underground Railroad in New Jersey. Members were holding prayer meeting at the church when they were called upon to free a suspected fugitive. According to one account, “…the officers having captured a fugitive in the country put him in a wagon and were driving towards the ferry passing by the Macedonia church. When they came opposite the church the prisoner raised a forceful cry of “kidnappers,” which, in a few moments, emptied the church of worshippers [who] surrounded the wagon with rescuers. Hannah Bowen cut the traces, and the horses, minus the wagon, were driven away, while the officers were glad to exchange their prize for their own personal safety.”
Renovations and Program Development
Renovations including the pipe organ occurred during the pastorate of Rev. R.B. Smith, who was succeeded by Rev. W. H. Hicks. Rev. W.J. Townsend’s pastorate celebrated the church’s centennial anniversary. In 1946 Rev. Owens entertained the 7th Annual Session of the New Jersey Annual Conference. During Rev. H. Alan Garcia’s pastorate, the roof, destroyed by Hurricane Hazel, was replaced; chimes, donated by George Wade Buell, were added to the pipe organ; new lights were installed, and the kitchen was renovated. Rev. Jesse F. Owens’ pastorate witnessed the burning of the mortgage for the parsonage at that time. The church exterior was renovated under the pastorate of Rev. Smith. Rev. Joseph D. Patterson’s administration saw renovations of the sanctuary with new carpet and refurbished pulpit furniture. The church purchased land adjacent to the church under the pastorate of Rev. Robert C. Wade. Under the pastorate of Rev. Mark K. Tyler, the parking lot was paved and fenced-in and the lower level of the church was renovated. The renovation uncovered the 1850 pulpit under the Sunday School room stage. Rev. John Clinton Reynolds expanded the church’s community outreach programs, and he affirmed the application for Macedonia A.M.E. Church to be designated a national historic site. The church was listed as a National Historic Site on March 12, 2012. Rev. Dr. Donald E. Brown, assigned to Macedonia in April 2013, developed innovative programs to improve the church’s financial stability. The heating and cooling systems were upgraded, and the parsonage was renovated. His pastorate continued to serve the community by providing a feeding program for the homeless.
Church prior to Hurricane Hazel; note: the gabled roof. Old Macedonia AME Church - Camden's first house of worship of Negros. It was founded in 1833.
Rev. Dr. Tiffany Malone, Macedonia’s current pastor since June 2024, aggressively supports the development of the church’s music ministry, youth education, and senior members’ outreach. She also encourages the expansion of the church’s community outreach ministry and development programs.
GET IN TOUCH
ADDRESS: 261 Spruce Street, Camden, NJ 08103
PHONE: +1 856-964-0212;
Let us know how we can pray for you.
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