New Jersey
Renovation revelation: Letter linked to abolitionist found in historic NJ church
The former Allen AME Church was being restored for a theater company’s use. Contractors found a letter linked to Alexander Herritage Newton, a prominent abolitionist, in its rafters.
Video: Hidden Black history remains uncovered in NJ
Hidden Black history remains uncovered in New Jersey cemeteries where Civil War colored soldiers and underground railroad conductors are laid to rest.
Thomas P. Costello, Mike Davis and Nicolette White, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
CAPE MAY, New Jersey − The former Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church yielded a few finds when contractors began renovating it to become East Lynne Theater Company’s new home: some old bottles, collection envelopes from the 1940s, a little metal globe bank whose dusty, rusty surface obscured most of the world’s countries and oceans.
But one item went a little farther back: a snippet of a receipt that may have been hand-written and signed by a prominent Civil War veteran, abolitionist, Underground Railroad facilitator and pastor. The snippet even bears a date: June 19, 1891.
“To all whom this may concern, Elwood Rowland, formerly of Media, PA Daniel Galvin, (formerly of) Phila Plastered this church during The month of June for $250 Rev. Dr. Newton, Pastor (unclear),” the snippet reads.
That name − the Rev. Dr. Newton − connects Allen AME to the famed abolitionist, Civil War veteran and author who spent time in Cape May, though little is known about his stay there. It’s also thrilled history buffs in this seaside resort town full of Victorian architecture, old churches and sites linked to some of the most prominent Black Americans of their time.
Who was the Rev. Dr. Newton?
Alexander Herritage Newton (whose middle name is sometimes listed with one “r”) was born in 1837 in North Carolina to a free mother and an enslaved father. He came north to New York during the 1850s, where he married and started a family, and where he also became involved with the Underground Railroad as his mother worked to buy freedom for her husband, Newton’s father. In 1863, Newton joined the Union cause in the Civil War, serving with the 29th Connecticut regiment in the U.S. Colored Troops.
Newton later settled in Camden, New Jersey, just outside Philadelphia, where he wrote a memoir, “Out of the Briars.” He was active in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, founded in 1794 in Philadelphia by Richard Allen. And Newton served as pastor at Allen AME Church, which itself was founded by Stephen Smith, a wealthy Black businessman who lived in Cape May, from 1889-1892.
A fire, a renovation, a revelation in the rafters
After a 2018 fire, Allen AME Church, which is in a section of Cape May that was once a center for Black civic life, was in dire straits. The building, which dated to 1888, landed on Preservation New Jersey’s Most Endangered Sites in 2021.
In Cape May, history is as much of a draw as its beaches, restaurants, shops and nature trails. “So when the church was slated for demolition, the mayor and city council knew we had to save it,” city manager Paul Dietrich said.
“The church did not have funds to do it, so it was incumbent on the city to do so,” Dietrich said. Thanks to a combination of county and state preservation grants, work is nearly complete: The wooden steeple that was destroyed in the fire has been replaced by a steel structure, not only to prevent another fire but also better able to withstand the coastal winds and storms. Drywall has been placed and painted over the wood walls. And the stained glass windows, many donated by families that belonged to the church, have been restored to their former colorful beauty.
“But we also didn’t want it to be an empty shell,” Dietrich added, and so the city partnered with East Lynne Theater Company, which now performs at another nearby church but was looking for a home of its own.
“The contractor is a local, so he knows how important history is here,” Dietrich said. When Kyle Carter of DKC Contractors discovered the letter nailed to a beam in the church rafters, he understood its significance and told city officials what he’d found.
History hidden, revealed and hidden again
Mark David Boberick, East Lynne’s executive artistic director, said he was thrilled to hear about the discovery of the hand-written note.
“We’ve been storytellers for 45 years, and now we’re telling another story − about the culture and history of this community,” he said. East Lynne, a summer equity theater company that stages classic American plays, is hoping to start using what will be called The Clemans Theater later this year for productions and for events such as art exhibitions, film screenings and fundraisers this summer.
Bernadette Matthews, president of the Cape May Chamber of Commerce, East Lynne board member and AME Church member called the discovery “fascinating,” noting the significance of the note’s date, June 19, or Juneteenth, in American history.
She talked about other nearby sites, including Stephen Smith’s house, Franklin Street School, Macedonia Baptist Church and the Harriet Tubman Museum, all within a few blocks and all central to Cape May’s historic Black community.
“This whole quadrant is what’s left of the vibrant African American community that was here,” she said.
Newton mentioned his time in Cape May in his memoir, and even alluded to the work noted on the paper that was found in 2025: “The church building was not plastered or seated, so we decided to borrow money for this purpose,” Newton wrote.
The note, though, had to remain in place, Boberick said. Removing it from the wood to which it was attached would likely destroy it.
It remains where it was found, Dietrich said, at the request of former members of Allen AME Church.
Do you want to share a slice of Americana with USA TODAY? Contact Phaedra Trethan by email at ptrethan@usatoday.com, on X (formerly Twitter) @wordsbyphaedra, on BlueSky @byphaedra, or on Threads @by_phaedra
PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
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Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
Keep Reading: Beloved New Jersey Restaurant is Closing
So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
PHOTOS: Step Inside a 1970s Kitchen — 34 Things You’ll Recognize
From Tupperware jugs (you know the ones) to those ever-present knife sharpeners, let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the quintessential ’70s kitchen.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
If You Grew Up in the ’70s and ’80s, These Foods Were Super Fancy
From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
FIFA and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill have become embroiled in a war of words this past week as the prospect of $150 train tickets to travel to World Cup games and plans to close parts of New York’s Penn Station have angered residents.
The recent uproar began after reports surfaced April 6 that parts of Penn Station would be closed to NJ Transit commuters not attending World Cup games for four hours before kickoff during the eight matches at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
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Moreover, round-trip train tickets between Penn Station in Manhattan and MetLife Stadium, where the final of the FIFA World Cup is set to be played, were announced by NJ Transit to come in at $150 per person.
A return ride on the same line typically costs $12.90, according to NJ Transit.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Los Angeles stop of The FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at LA Live in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026.
In a press release on April 17, Sherrill said the move to increase prices was caused by FIFA’s decision to eliminate parking at MetLife Stadium. The Democratic governor said price increases happened because FIFA did not agree to cover the costs of transporting fans.
“We are committed to ensuring costs are shared fairly. As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day,” Sherrill said.
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More: Going to World Cup at MetLife Stadium? Expect $150 train tickets and no parking
FIFA, on the other hand, has said the price increase would have a “chilling effect” on fans attending games in New Jersey and said Sherrill’s demands asking FIFA to absorb transportation costs for fans were “unprecedented.”
“Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup,” Heimo Schirgi, COO for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said in a statement to USA TODAY.
The NJ Transit logo is seen in the lobby of the New Jersey Transit headquarters ahead of a press briefing on the New York/New Jersey FIFA World Cup 2026 regional mobility plan in Newark, New Jersey on April 17, 2026.
What are other cities doing with World Cup transportation?
New Jersey has not been the only place where transportation costs have been the subject of discussion ahead of the World Cup. In Boston, round-trip train train tickets on the MBTA from Boston’s South Station to Gillette Stadium are being sold for $80.
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Special event trains to Foxborough for New England Patriots NFL games and New England Revolution MLS matches are usually $20 for a round trip, according to local news station CBS Boston.
Other cities have not seen increases like the ones in New Jersey and Boston. In Atlanta, for example, train fares on the city’s MARTA will be $2.50 per ride, with children able to travel for free with a paying adult.
Kansas City is offering $15 round-trip shuttle rides for fans parking in four different park-and-ride locations, as well as those coming from FIFA’s Fan Festival in the city. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is offering fans a $3.50 round trip train ticket on its Metro Train.
SEPTA in Philadelphia is also keeping its prices low, with fans set to pay the base $2.90 fare for a ride on its Broad Street Line, which takes riders to Lincoln Financial Field, set to host six matches.
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Katie Sobko from USA TODAY Network’s NorthJersey.com contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup fans going to MetLife Stadium to pay $150 for NJT ticket
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