The Clemans Theater for the Arts at Historic Allen A.M.E. Church began as the Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1888. The congregation was formed several years earlier and met for two years in a congregant’s home on Lafayette Street. The name is a tribute to Richard Allen, founder and first bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church headquartered in Philadelphia. Among the Cape May church founders was Rev. Stephen Smith, an abolitionist and wealthy business owner whose summer house stands on Lafayette Street opposite Franklin Street.

Over the years the church was improved with gas lighting and, in 1926, an organ, which still occupies the front wall. The pews along the outer wall are among those that were custom built and installed during that same year of improvements. (More of the pews are in the hallways at Cape May City Hall.)

Some of the stained glass windows that were installed about the same time as the organ are dedicated to members of the congregation who paid $65 to memorialize the congregation’s founding families: John Obekiah, Henry Z. Wilkins, Samuel Trusty, William White, Charles Cox, John W. Batteast, and Mark Williams.  Descendants of those early families still live in the area.

During its years as one of three predominantly Black churches in Cape May, Allen A.M.E. served as a religious institution as well as a center of community service. It provided space for programs and festivities, and opened its doors to other organizations that needed meeting space. Among them was Citizens for Progress, a group that formed after encounters between city police and young African American boys on the Promenade. For three years the Center for Community Arts headquartered in the church parsonage. Even in its latter years the church donated money to people in need; Rev. Pauline Couch, the last minister to serve, collected shoes for the Haitian people damaged by the 2010 earthquake.

By 2018 the congregation numbered fewer than a dozen. Then, a truck turning the narrow corner into Osborne Street slammed into a power pole that collapsed onto the building and started a fire that destroyed the church’s bell tower, foyer, and two of the memorial windows. The sanctuary was damaged but not destroyed, thanks to quick action by Cape May firefighters who sprayed fire retardant. Church members continued to meet with Pastor Couch, but stopped gathering during the Covid pandemic.
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The AME Conference deconsecrated the church and reassigned Rev. Couch in late 2020. In 2021 the City of Cape May bought the building and began to restore it.  At completion, East Lynne Theater assumed a 25 year lease in 2022, and the theater opened in May 2025, premiering with a production of “Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise.”
Naming rights for the lobby, the addition and other aspects of the renovation are still available, as well as Founding Benefactor contributions. Those wishing to contribute to East Lynne’s New Beginnings Capital Campaign may contact Board President Susan Tischler at 609-408-1744 or at [email protected]