Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Fisk Chapel is a Carpenter Gothic style building listed individually on the State and National Registers under Criterion A, “Event”, Criterion B, “Person”, and Criterion C “Design/Construction”. The building was named for Clinton Bowen Fisk, a Civil War veteran, that provided the land and building to the AME Bethel Congregation in an area of Fair Haven settled by a free Black population. Additionally, the chapel is associated with the Fair Haven Ruling, a New Jersey law that paved the way for the desegregation of schools in New Jersey and nationwide. Built in 1882 it is the oldest surviving religious building on Rumson Neck, but it is no longer a religious building. Originally located at 38 Fisk Street in Fair Haven, it was donated by the congregation to the Borough of Fair Haven and moved to Cedar Avenue in 1975 to prevent its demolition. This move resulted in structural issues at the building. At this time, as part of the move, a full basement and new foundation were added. In the 1920’s restrooms were added to the resource.    

The 2024 grant will help fund the preparation of a Historic Site Management Plan.