During the second half of the 19th century, social reform and evangelical piety were believed to be indivisible; the very cornerstone by which all-missionary work of the Holiness Movement was built and the foundation of one of its most important social programs, the Freedmen's Aid Society. Methodists, through the holiness camp meeting movement actively fought for the extension of civil liberties for African-Americans, creating missionary schools to promote education and providing through its Domestic Operations of the Missionary Society the venues for African-Americans to speak on religious and social issues. Through the leadership of its holiness ministers, the Ocean Grove community was at the forefront of this movement.

During the second half of the 19th century, social reform and evangelical piety were believed to be indivisible; the very cornerstone by which all-missionary work of the Holiness Movement was built and the foundation of one of its most important social programs, the Freedmen’s Aid Society. Methodists, through the holiness camp meeting movement actively fought for the extension of civil liberties for African-Americans, creating missionary schools to promote education and providing through its Domestic Operations of the Missionary Society the venues for African-Americans to speak on religious and social issues. Through the leadership of its holiness ministers, the Ocean Grove community was at the forefront of this movement.

The Ocean Grove African-American Heritage Trail is designed to inspire interest in Ocean Grove's important African-American History by celebrating and recognizing the important roles that the men and women associated with Ocean Grove played in our country's history. By taking our self-guided walking tour of the Ocean Grove historic district and tracing the steps of Booker T. Washington, Marian Anderson, and W.E.B. Dubois. One will become a part of the Ocean Grove story by rediscovering the accomplishments of these great Americans.

Site 1 – Bishop Janes Tabernacle

Built in 1877, the tabernacle is the oldest of the camp meeting buildings. From the time it was built through the early 1900s Amanda Berry Smith held many of her end of summer meetings at this site for local hotel employees.

Site 2 – The Great Auditorium

Constructed in 1894, this is the fourth auditorium to be built on this site. It has an extensive African-American history relating to religious, political, social, and cultural programs making it one of the most important African-American sites in the country. Organizations such as the Freedmen’s Aid Society, Women’s Home Missionary Society, National Educational Assembly, and Women’s Foreign Missionary Society, along with the African Methodist Episcopal Jubilees provided opportunities to further many social programs of African-Americans.

African-Americans associated with religious events and cultural programs in the Great Auditorium are: Rev. Joseph Charles Price, Rev. John Brown Stanbury, Bishop John Mifflin Brown, Rev. John Moore Palmer, Rev. Benjamin Franklin Lee, Bishop James Anderson Handy, Bishop John Wesley Gaines, Bishop Alexander W. Wayman, Rev. W. D. Cook, Rev. I. W, L. Roundtree, Dr. John Patterson Sampson, Bishop William B. Derrick, William H. H. Butler, Rev. John Wesley Beckett, Bishop Jabez Pitt Campbell, William Warfield, Roland Hayes, Bishop Richard H. Cain, Bishop Levi Jenkins Coppin, Rachel Jefferson, Henrietta Lum, Bishop Abraham Grant, Bishop Henry McNeal Turner, Paul Robeson, Fisk Jubilee Singers, Duke Ellington, Marian Anderson, Pearl Bailey, Booker Taliaferro Washington, Amanda Berry Smith, and Alexander Crummell among others.

Site 3 – The Young Peoples Temple

The present temple was dedicated in 2002 and replaces an earlier structure destroyed by fire. The first temple was built in 1879 and was enlarged in the years, 1883, 1885 and 1887. Among the outstanding speakers was Ms. Henrietta Lum who spoke in 1908 on behalf of the Woman’s Home Missionary Society. W.E.B. Dubois discussed “Prejudice Against Negroes Even in the Courts” in the Temple on July 9, 1910. Sponsored by St. Stephens A.M.E. Zion Church of Asbury Park, Marian Anderson was presented in one of her earliest singing engagements in 1921.

Site 4 – 6 Main Avenue

When Marian Anderson appeared in the Great Auditorium in 1941. Mr. William E.Thomson, head usher of the Great Auditorium, and Mrs. Thomson gave a reception, at their home at 6 Main Avenue, in Marian Anderson’s honor before her August 9th Auditorium concert.

Sites 5 & 6 – Works in Progress

Site 5 – is the location of Amanda Berry Smiths’ summer tent. Provided by the OGCMA it was on the Northwestern end of Mt Tabor Way.

Site 6 – 70 Mt. Hermon Way was the summer cottage of the Tompkins family of New York who provided their home for Amanda Berry Smith as a respite before her travels through Europe.

Site 7 – Sunrise Pavilion

This bucolic ocean front site is where many of the early beach meetings were held. One of the most charismatic of the early evangelists was Amanda Berry Smith. She had a very powerful voice and was able to reach the thousands who would gather at these stirring meetings.

Site 8 – The North End Pavilion

The Harrod Jubilee Singers performed in the North End Complex and in the Great Auditorium in 1921. The North End Pavilion is all that remains of the hotel complex.

The Historical Society of Ocean Grove is funded, in part,
by the New Jersey Historical Commission.