Bear in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Site of African Union Church and Cemetery
Photographed By Pete Skillman, March 25, 2024
1. Site of African Union Church and Cemetery Marker
Inscription.
Site of African Union Church and Cemetery. . The African Union Church (AUC) of Christiana Bridge built a wood-framed church on this site in 1819. The AUC was the first incorporated religious group in the country controlled entirely by African Americans. The congregation replaced the structure with a brick church in 1850. The church relocated in 1897. Members disassembled the church and transported bricks to the new location. They used the bricks to rebuild the church, which later became known as Old Fort Union American Methodist Episcopal Church. The congregation's first cemetery remained at the original church site, where eleven burials were recorded. The last burial occurred in 1881.
The African Union Church (AUC) of Christiana Bridge built a wood-framed church on this site in 1819. The AUC was the first incorporated religious group in the country controlled entirely by African Americans. The congregation replaced the structure with a brick church in 1850. The church relocated in 1897. Members disassembled the church and transported bricks to the new location. They used the bricks to rebuild the church, which later became known as Old Fort Union American Methodist Episcopal Church. The congregation's first cemetery remained at the original church site, where eleven burials were recorded. The last burial occurred in 1881.
Erected 2020 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NCC-251.)
Location. 39° 39.422′ N, 75° 39.259′ W. Marker is in Bear, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker is on Bear Christiana Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1207 Varsity Ln, Bear DE 19701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this
2. Site of African Union Church and Cemetery Marker wide view
Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 48 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
