Stokes. Photo by Paul Goldfinger.

David Fox is a member of the the Historical Society of Ocean Grove.  June 29, 2023. There is a wing named for him at the Society’s headquarters on Pitman Ave.     He contributes regularly to Blogfinger.net, and we value his contributions.

By the time Ocean Grove was established, the various African American churches already had their own camp meetings, even from the 1820s. So there was less attendance in Ocean Grove. For a number of years, a popular event for white residents was an annual AME Jubilee held in the Auditorium by invitation of Rev. Stokes. The singing and oratory was considered something to experience.

Even at a regular service in 1893, it was noted:

“Looking over a large audience from the stand, one of the most significant things to meet the eye is the number of quiet, orderly and devout colored people who take seats among the whites and not elbowed out, or scowled at for their appearance. We would rather see their ebony faces than the flashing diamonds which so many wear nowadays.”

However, no hotel in Asbury Park or Ocean Grove would accommodate non-whites. When they did, there were repercussions.

“For convenience a couple years ago [c. 1884], a number of colored visitors were quartered at the same house, the St. Elmo, on Main Avenue. The proprietors received them must cheerfully although most of their boarders left the house, and withdrew their patronage.”

This is why Bradley had to give into the social attitudes of the time. Asbury Park would have economically collapsed without white patronage. He did, however, build a skating rink and other amusements exclusively for Blacks that he clearly did not have to do.

Upon her death, Amanda Smith was honored with the planting of memorial trees. This was a local custom in early Ocean Grove.