About Trinity Church History
During the 18th Century, when New Jersey was under British rule, a unique settlement came into being in the heavily wooded frontier east of what is now Bridgeton. These early settlers were families of mixed race: Europeans (English, Dutch, Swedes, Finns); African descendants; and remnants of the Lenni Lenape people. They were Goulds, Pierces, Murrays, and Cuffs. The settlement eventually became known as Gouldtown.
In 1792, these Gouldtown families were worshiping with neighboring white families at the Old Stone Presbyterian Church, south of what is now the village of Fairton. Reverend Rueben Cuff of Salem had marital ties to the Gouldtown settlement. He suggested to the Gouldtown worshipers that they should organize a "Society". From 1792 to 1817, worship meetings were held in private homes. Whenever the homes were too small, the meetings were held in the barn of Benjamin Gould II. When the African Methodist Episcopal Church was officially organized under the leadership of Bishop Richard Allen, the Gouldtown worshipers became affiliated with the new denomination. This happened during the year 1818. The Gouldtown church was dedicated as Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church.
From 1823 to 1834, the Wescott School served as the first physical building. Four surrounding communities worshipped in the vacant school, which was located on the old road from Fairton to Millville. The Lummis School was purchased and moved to a lot on the Bridgeton-Millville Turnpike. Services were held there from 1834 to 1860. The building was used as both a church and a school.
In 1860, the congregation built a new church across the road from the school building. The church was renamed Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church. The church annex was completed in 1959.
Out of the Gouldtown community and its church came some very able ministers. Reverend Rueben Cuff, who married one of the early Gould descendants, had encouraged the Gouldtown worshipers to form the "Society" that evolved into Trinity A.M.E. Church. Reverend Jeremiah Pierce organized an A.M.E. Church in Atlantic City which eventually became Saint James A.M.E. Church. Reverend Benjamin F. Lee, a Gould descendant, was professor and later president of Wilberforce University in Ohio. In 1892 he was elected a Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Gould descendant Reverend Theodore Gould was a well-known preacher in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He preached in churches in several northeastern states, including Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia. Another Gould descendant, Theophilus Gould Steward, was a clergyman who was appointed by President Benjamin Harrison as Chaplain in the United States Army. He was one of the first persons of color to be appointed to such a position. He later held a professorship at Wilberforce University.
In 1913, Chaplain Steward and his brother William wrote the first extensive history of Gouldtown. It is still an important reference source for anyone doing research on Gouldtown.
From humble beginnings, the succeeding generations of Gouldtown descendants went on to become: educators; clergymen; lawyers and judges; doctors and medical specialists; police and corrections officers; and reputable business persons. Although many of today's descendants have gone to other parts of the United States to live, they still consider Gouldtown as home.
In 1792, these Gouldtown families were worshiping with neighboring white families at the Old Stone Presbyterian Church, south of what is now the village of Fairton. Reverend Rueben Cuff of Salem had marital ties to the Gouldtown settlement. He suggested to the Gouldtown worshipers that they should organize a "Society". From 1792 to 1817, worship meetings were held in private homes. Whenever the homes were too small, the meetings were held in the barn of Benjamin Gould II. When the African Methodist Episcopal Church was officially organized under the leadership of Bishop Richard Allen, the Gouldtown worshipers became affiliated with the new denomination. This happened during the year 1818. The Gouldtown church was dedicated as Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church.
From 1823 to 1834, the Wescott School served as the first physical building. Four surrounding communities worshipped in the vacant school, which was located on the old road from Fairton to Millville. The Lummis School was purchased and moved to a lot on the Bridgeton-Millville Turnpike. Services were held there from 1834 to 1860. The building was used as both a church and a school.
In 1860, the congregation built a new church across the road from the school building. The church was renamed Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church. The church annex was completed in 1959.
Out of the Gouldtown community and its church came some very able ministers. Reverend Rueben Cuff, who married one of the early Gould descendants, had encouraged the Gouldtown worshipers to form the "Society" that evolved into Trinity A.M.E. Church. Reverend Jeremiah Pierce organized an A.M.E. Church in Atlantic City which eventually became Saint James A.M.E. Church. Reverend Benjamin F. Lee, a Gould descendant, was professor and later president of Wilberforce University in Ohio. In 1892 he was elected a Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Gould descendant Reverend Theodore Gould was a well-known preacher in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He preached in churches in several northeastern states, including Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia. Another Gould descendant, Theophilus Gould Steward, was a clergyman who was appointed by President Benjamin Harrison as Chaplain in the United States Army. He was one of the first persons of color to be appointed to such a position. He later held a professorship at Wilberforce University.
In 1913, Chaplain Steward and his brother William wrote the first extensive history of Gouldtown. It is still an important reference source for anyone doing research on Gouldtown.
From humble beginnings, the succeeding generations of Gouldtown descendants went on to become: educators; clergymen; lawyers and judges; doctors and medical specialists; police and corrections officers; and reputable business persons. Although many of today's descendants have gone to other parts of the United States to live, they still consider Gouldtown as home.