CAPE MAY — “History is not meant to make us comfortable; history is meant to make us wiser, to learn and to help better understand each other,” Mayor Zack Mullock said June 18 at the Macedonia Baptist Church.
The historic church at 630 Lafayette St. received statewide recognition with the New Jersey Historical Commission’s designation as a site on the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail.
A special Juneteenth program was held at the church, led by Pastor Joe Colvin, followed by an unveiling of the marker.
The public event included songs, prayers and speeches from several church members, as well as Mullock, state Assemblymen Antwan McClellan and Erik Simonsen, and New Jersey Black Heritage Trail Executive Director Sara Cureton.
“History cannot be erased when people are committed to preserving it. Democracy is strongest when every voice is heard,” Mullock said. “The struggle for freedom, equality and representation didn’t end with the Civil Rights Movement. It’s the responsibility today and of every generation.”
Mullock, who recently won the Democratic primary to challenge U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew in Congress, noted that it has been 161 years since enslaved Americans in Texas learned of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
“When you see some of those flags that say 250 years of freedom, let them serve as reminders of why preserving history like this is so important,” Mullock said.
Assistant Minister Nina Broadnax said the Macedonia Baptist Church and its congregation have been located on Lafayette Street, serving the African-American community since the early 1900s.
“It remains important to the city of Cape May’s history because it preserves the Black church culture and strengthens a spiritual connection through service and community,” Broadnax said, adding the church is known for its dynamic Sunday morning services, spiritual songs and impactful ties to the community.
Broadnax also recognized the former George Howell House located next door, which operated as the church’s parsonage. The house was restored and is now the Harriet Tubman Museum.
Simonsen and McClellan are members of the Macedonia Baptist Church New Jersey Black History Trail Committee. Simonsen, a former mayor of Lower Township, noted they worked hard to advance the preservation of the real history of Cape May County.
“Those [church] doors have always been open to everyone, regardless of skin color, denomination, etc.,” Simonsen said, adding that he was blessed to be a part of the church for so long.
McClellan emphasized that the application for the trail marker was difficult, noting it is the second of three in the area.
“Hats off to all of you who prepared the nomination, because it’s no easy task,” Cureton said. “One of the most important goals for us at the commission for this commemoration is to tell a rich, diverse and as complete a story as we can get of our past. African-American history is central to that and the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail is such a great tool for telling this history.”
Macedonia Baptist Church Deacon Lynda Towns thanked everyone for attending and all the work the city has done to preserve the church’s history.
Signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy on Sept. 7, 2022, the legislation calls for the New Jersey Historical Commission to establish a Black Heritage Trail that will “highlight Black heritage sites through historical markers and a trail-like path that connects the stories of Black life and resiliency.”
Cape May has been committed to preserving its Black history and creating functional community spaces.
The intersection of Franklin and Lafayette streets holds critical pieces of Cape May’s Black history, including the restored Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Harriet Tubman Museum, the Stephen Smith House and the former Franklin Street School, now the new city library.
On June 11, 2025, the Franklin Street School received its trail marker, recognizing the school and the determination of Cape May’s Black community to provide equal education opportunities to their children. The Harriet Tubman Museum is also an accepted site on the trail.
