The Assembly of Christians presently meeting at the Fifth Avenue Chapel in Belmar, originated in the mid-1920's by Christians from Northern New Jersey and New York. These Christians desired to remember the Lord during their vacations at the shore. A small store was secured on South Main Street in Neptune near the old Neptune High School. About this time, several families moved to this area and an Assembly was formed on a year-round basis.

The home of August Handle in Asbury Park served as a meeting place. Mr. and Mrs. Dussman, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hart from Eatontown, Mr. and Mrs. Pizzulli from Long Branch, Miss Gertrude Elliot from Bradley Beach, and Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson made up the Assembly. In 1925, a room was secured in the American Legion Home located on Bangs Avenue in Asbury Park. This building was available on Sunday mornings. Mid-week meetings were held from house to house. The American Legion Home was later torn down and moved to Sewell Avenue. Another room was secured in this building and gospel meetings started. All the Asbury Park area was covered with tracts and invitations but with very little response. Robert Hazel and Stan Hart were saved and came into fellowship in 1928. Both were sixteen years of age.

It was realized that in order to conduct gospel work, a building must be secured on a permanent basis. A store was rented on Ridge Avenue in Neptune, and converted into a suitable place for meetings. Several families were reached at this time and the Assembly started to grow. Many Christian workers visited the Assembly during these years and gave much-needed help, including Charles Keller, H.G. McEwen, Benjamin Bradford, Fisher Hunter, Hugh Kane, Robert Haliday, Gordon Reager, James McCullough, Hugh Thorpe, Henry Fletcher, and many visiting missionaries.

The Assembly outgrew the Ridge Avenue building, and in 1935 secured a larger store on Seventh Avenue in Bradley Beach. It was at this time that monthly ministry meetings were inaugurated, and continued until about 1970. Annual conferences were held until 1973.

During 1940, the attention of the Assembly was drawn to an unused Episcopal Church called The Church of The Holy Apostles on Fifth Avenue in Belmar. This group was and is known to have organized before 1877. The cornerstone for the church was laid at 303 Fifth Avenue, between "B" and "C'. This church was dissolved in 1940. It consisted of a large frame building, 68 feet long and 68 feet wide, built in the shape of a cross. It was in a poor state of repair, having been closed for many years and having been stripped of all its furnishings. It contained beautiful stained glass which survives to this day. The property was subsequently purchased for the sum of $1,500 and repair work began.

The first public ceremony held in the new Chapel was the marriage of Kenneth Hart to Miss Robina Jelly, held on June 25, 1941. F.C. Hart, A.T. Thorn, and Dr. Robert Hazel were mainstays of the Assembly at that time. During the war years, the building was partitioned off and heated with two circulating heaters. This proved unsatisfactory and it was decided to remove the arms of the cross and move the platform section into its present place in order to make the building more usable. It was at this time that central heating was installed. As the Sunday School increased, it became necessary to add a kitchen and Sunday School rooms. In 1958 an enlargement of both Sunday School and Chapel was made.

In the mid 1960's a nursery was added. Elie Loizeaux, Kenneth Hart, Dr. James Rogers and Ed Turner were prominent in leadership later in the 1960s. The Sunday School experienced tremendous growth during the next two decades. Bernie Godbolt established "the Heroic Hounds" an exciting Sunday School Class of boys between the ages of 7 and 10 years old who made many trips beyond the Chapel walls. Mel Wistner, the chalk artist and "black light" scientist would dazzle the children with wonderful Biblical stories and the wonders of God's creation. Mody science films were also a popular treat. The Sunday School has remained a strong part of the assembly ministry. A popular annual treat is the Children's Christmas Program which Jani Goodwin has organized for many years. The assembly helped establish Bethany Bible Chapel in the Silverton area of Toms River, 25 miles south of Belmar. William Wilson, Adam Miller, Frank Jelley, Charlie Myers, Bob Carver and Rod Conover helped to provide the early leadership in that assembly.  Many missionaries who returned from the mission field helped to provide the Fifth Avenue Chapel with leadership in and ministry to the assembly such as Tom Wilson, T. Ernest Wilson, Mert Wolcott, and Len Brooks. Fifth Avenue Chapel has commended workers to Zimbabwe, France, Peru, South Africa, and Ireland.

Roger Brown, Bob McNeil, Greg Yencarelli and Gerry Risden not only provided the assembly with many years of leadership but brought their musical talents along as well. The assembly has a very rich music ministry which features traditional gospel and sacred hymns that creates a very personal and intimate atmosphere of worship. Peter Bartlett, the former president of Loizeaux Brothers publishing and current school administrator, adds his knowledge of Biblical scholarship to the chapel leadership.

Today, the Fifth Avenue Chapel supports a vibrant Sunday School and a growing youth activity program which provides significant outreach into the community. Among the riches of the shore community, there is a homeless population with significant needs. The assembly is praying for and supporting the creation of the Jersey Shore Rescue Mission centered in the Asbury Park/Neptune area. 

The mission of the assembly has remained constant throughout its existence: "to preach Christ crucified, risen and coming again."

Click here for a history of assemblies in the North East US