Mount Vernon in Knox County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

“Seek Justice. Love Kindness”

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 25, 2024

1. “Seek Justice. Love Kindness” Marker

Inscription. In 1834 we began as an anti-slavery church working with others to oppose slavery and help courageous Black Americans escape slavery on the Underground Railroad as it ran through Mount Vernon. We continue to seek justice and love kindness. We pray others will too.

Erected by First Congregational United Church of Christ.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 40° 23.744′ N, 82° 29.105′ W. Marker is in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in Knox County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street and East Sugar Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Marker is in front of First Congregational United Church of Christ. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 N Main St, Mount Vernon OH 43050, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Amish Country.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Congregational United Church of Christ (a few steps from this marker); Dr. Frank Carter Larimore (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Ann Ball Bickerdyke (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct

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line); Mary Ann Ball (about 700 feet away); Millstone (about 700 feet away); Ellamae Simmons, M.D. (1918-2019) / "The Goal Will Be Met, So Long As We Persevere" (about 800 feet away); Clement L. Vallandigham's Anti-War Speech (about 800 feet away); Civil War Monument (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Vernon.

Also see . . . A History of Love and Activism. The church regularly hosted anti-slavery meetings in its early days, despite pro-slavery groups (including one known as the Mount Vernon Meat Axe Club) sometimes violently breaking them up. (First Congregational United Church of Christ) (Submitted on May 30, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 25, 2024

2. “Seek Justice. Love Kindness” Marker

Bench is to the left of the church doors.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 286 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 30, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.