Lincroft's Historic African-American Cemetery Will Hold Special Event

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Cedar View Cemetery, a historic black cemetery in the Lincroft section of Middletown, will host a special Memorial Day ceremony to recognize and honor the lives of African-Americans who lived in this part of New Jersey during the Civil War.

The ceremony will be at 2 p.m. May 30 at Cedar View Cemetery, 60 Hurley’s Lane in Lincroft.

Pastor Terrence Porter of the Pilgrim Baptist church in Red Bank will give an invocation; Middletown Mayor Tony Perry will present a plaque of historic significance to the cemetery and local historian and author Rick Geffken will give a short talk on the brief history of Cedar View Cemetery.

There will also be a wreath laying in memory of the colored or African-American troops of the Civil War and a military presentation and 21 Gun Salute by the 3rd NJ Volunteer Infantry. The 3rd NJ Volunteer Infantry is a Civil War re-enactor group comprised of more than eighty members dedicated to the common goal of preserving the history of the Civil War era.

Pilgrim Baptist Church in Red Bank was founded in June 1896 and was one of the first "Negro" Baptist Churches along the Jersey Shore. The name pilgrim evolved because its founders had to go from home to home to conduct services. The first church was built in 1910 on a small lot located at 17 Pearl Street. The current church at 172 Shrewsbury Avenue.

Geffken has authored numerous articles on various aspects of New Jersey history for local newspapers, magazines, historical societies and newsletters. His books include "The Story of Shrewsbury Revisited, 1965-2015;" "Lost Amusement Parks of the North Jersey Shore;" "Highland Beach, Gateway to the Jersey Shore, 1888-1962;" "Hidden History of Monmouth County" and his most recent "Stories of Slavery in New Jersey."

This event and Friends of Cedar View Cemetery is supported by: The Church of St. Leo the Great, Middletown Township Council, Monmouth Conservation Foundation, Engineering & Land Planning Associates, Inc. (E&LP), Pilgrim Baptist Church and T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center.