New Castle Hundred in 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. 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.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1819.

Location. 39° 39.422′ N, 75° 39.259′ W. Marker is in Bear, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in New Castle Hundred. It is

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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.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Wilmington and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Lewden House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Last Mustering of The Delaware Continentals (approx. half a mile away); Lafayette (approx. half a mile away); Christiana Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Christiana United Methodist Church (approx. ¾ mile away); Old Fort Union American Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Christiana Public School #111-C (approx. 0.8 miles away); Village of Christiana (approx. 0.9

Site of African Union Church and Cemetery Marker wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, March 25, 2024

2. Site of African Union Church and Cemetery Marker wide view

miles away).

Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 283 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.