The Shrewsbury Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church was founded six years after a few committed persons from Red Bank and Fair Haven attended the 1821 New York Annual Conference. The church was established as part of the New York Annual Conference in 1827. The original name was St. James A.M.E. Zion Church of Fair Haven, New Jersey. Rev. Noah Brooks was the first pastor.

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In 1833, the first church building was constructed along the river opposite Woodland Drive in Fair Haven. In the late 1860's when the building was destroyed by fire, the congregation moved to a rented building on corner of Wharf and Union Avenues in Red Bank. The Bethel A.M.E. Church, now Fisk Chapel, was also destroyed by fire and the two congregations worshiped together for a period of time. However, they separated when Bethel wanted to rebuild in Fair Haven and St. James wanted to remain in Red Bank. St. James moved from Wharf to Beach Street, now West Bergen Place (recently renamed Drs. James Parker Blvd.) and worshiped in a building owned by the Odd Fellows Fraternity. Because the members had the foresight to insure the property, they were able to construct a new church building on Central Avenue and a parsonage in Red Bank. Rev. Charles Robinson and Rev. Joseph P. Thompson were pastors during this period of construction. The church building was dedicated on December 25, 1873. Construction was completed in 1874.

The A.M.E. Zion Churches of New Jersey separated from the New York Conference and held the first NJ Annual Conference in the newly completed St. James building in July, 1874. Thus St. James became the Mother Church (although not the oldest church) of the New Jersey Annual Conference. St. James’ members worshiped here for 42 years until they ventured out to build a larger church building. Beginning in 1910 with a $100.00 donation, the members purchased property at the corner of West Bergen Place and Shrewsbury Avenue in Red Bank. Construction began in 1912. In 1913 the basement was completed and used for worship until the sanctuary was completed in 1916. During this time the Central Avenue location was used as a Christian Education building. Much of the labor was provided by Thomas Goode, a mason, who was later ordained and served as Assistant Pastor of the church that he helped to build. There were other unnamed persons in the areas that helped Bro. Goode.

The new facility was completed and dedicated on January 15, 1916 under the pastorate of Rev. H. B. Gannt. This religious body was incorporated as the Shrewsbury Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church. The church continued to grow. A new parsonage was built at 193 West Bergen Place in 1923. In 1969 a new parsonage was purchased at 84 Plum Street, Tinton Falls, under the pastorate of Rev. Alfred S. Parker.

In 1984 under the leadership of the 34th pastor, Rev. Andrew L. Foster, Jr., the sanctuary and fellowship halls were enlarged and an educational wing was added and dedicated in time to host the 1985 New Jersey Annual Conference. Rev. Foster was a founding member of the Count Basie Learning Center and one of the founder’s of the 9 Wall Street Corporation which initiated the building of Wesleyan Arms senior housing complex both located in Red Bank.

In 1993 Rev. Theodore Calhoun, Sr. was appointed the 35th pastor. Under his leadership the congregation grew numerically and spiritually. He had a vision for the church which included an eight o’clock worship service designed to reach out to the community. He expanded the influence and presence of the Shrewsbury Avenue A.M.E. Zion in the community. The Wesleyan Arms project was completed and dedicated during his pastorate. Under his teaching and preaching Wednesday night Bible Study grew to include all ages of the congregation. The sanctuary and pastor’s office were renovated. A 20-passenger bus was purchased for the church’s transportation ministry.

At the 2001 NJ Annual Conference hosted by the St. Stephen A.M.E. Zion Church, Asbury Park, Rev. Calhoun was elevated to the Presiding Eldership of the Jersey City District. Rev. Milton A. Williams, Jr. was appointed the 36th pastor of the Shrewsbury Avenue Church and began his pastorate on the first of July, 2001.

After serving as Pastor of Clinton Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in New Bern, North Carolina for twenty-four and a half years, Rev. Ronald P. McDougal was appointed the 37th pastor of the Shrewsbury Avenue Church in December 2004.