Grace AME Crosswicks

History

     Grace A.M.E Church was organized in 1868. The church edifice was built and dedicated in 1878, under the leadership of the Reverend William Styles. During the years prior to the dedication, services were held in the local school house. For many years, Grace A.M.E. Church was part of the Bordentown Circuit. When the Bordentown Church became self supporting, Grace Church then became a part of the Allentown-Cookstown Circuit. The church is located on the original site on the main road leading from Crosswicks to Chesterfield.
     The parsonage originally was located on Main Street. In 1916, Ms. Hannah DeCou purchased the building, had an addition built and then paid to have it moved to its present site next to the church.  In 1947, a building fund to modernize the church was started by Reverend Alonzo Henly. Reverend. Arthur Gibson saw to it that the modernization was accomplished. The modernization program led to the installment of stained glass windows, memorials devoted to members, an addition to the original building, modern rest rooms and an oil furnace.
     In 1960, under the leadership of the congregation and friends, the parsonage was renovated and an oil furnace was installed. Grace A.M.E Church is a member of the New Jersey Annual Conference, which is a part of the First Episcopal District of the great African Methodist Episcopal Church. Its motto is: “God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer and Man Our Brother.” -Rev. Howard D. Garcia.
     During the pandemic of 2020, church was held by conference call every Sunday, and then Thursday night for Bible Study. Grace Church, then, moved to using Zoom for church service and Bible Study, until the Bishop gave the word that it was ok to return to in-person service.
     The Reverend A.D. Brown served from 1933-1945 which represents the longest pastorage. Twenty-three men have served as ministers of Grace.  Reverend .Maurice D. Barnes pastored Grace for 13 years until December 2018. Reverend Ratona Stokes-Robinson was Pastor from January 2019 until June 2021, during which time she instituted a number of projects and fundraisers to promote Grace Church in the community. Reverend Rayyah Brown-Wright joined Grace in June 2021. Although she was with the church for a very short time, she set the tone for spiritual leadership of women by closely studying the women of the Bible. Reverend Larry D. Lewis came to Grace as a Supply Pastor on June 25, 2021. He brought with him a blessing to the church in the form of a knowledgeable and supportive First Lady, Evelyn Lewis. Reverend Lewis was ordained on April 23, 2022. With his background in Business and staying close to God, Reverend Lewis has commandeered much-needed repairs to the structure of the church and has overseen the fundraising necessary to raise money to pay for a new floor in the sanctuary! He works closely with the  Interfaith Community Builder organization, gaining positive attention to Grace A. M. E. Church in the Crosswicks, Chesterfield, Bordentown area of New Jersey.
     To God be the glory.

Vision
    At every level of the connection and in every local church, the A.M.E. Church shall engage in carrying out the spirit of the original Free African Society, out of which the A.M.E. Church evolved.      
     That is, our vision is to seek out and save the lost, and to serve the needy. It is also the duty of the Church to continue to encourage all members to become involved in all aspects of church training.