Hidden in the Bronx, Bethel Cemetery whispers tales of resilience and faith. Bethel Cemetery wasn’t just a place for the departed. It was a cornerstone of a community. In 1849, a group of determined African American men established the first African American church in the Bronx. Next to it, they created Bethel A.M.E. Church Cemetery, the borough’s only known independent African burial ground. This sacred space offered solace and dignity at a time when such things were often denied. The Bethel A.M.E. Church served as a vital hub. It was a place of worship, baptism, marriage, and ultimately, burial. It provided a spiritual anchor for the African American community. They could lead and find belonging. The cemetery interred at least 58 individuals between 1850 and 1894. Among them were members of the Mickens family of West Farms and the children of Uriah and Zilpah Copeland. Uriah, a founding trustee of Bethel A.M.E., was associated with David Ruggles, a prominent abolitionist. His name appeared alongside Ruggles in anti-slavery publications. These connections underscore the cemetery’s significance within the broader context of the fight for freedom and equality. Though the Bethel A.M.E. Church disbanded in 1894, its legacy endures. The remains from Bethel Cemetery were moved to Mount Hope Cemetery in Westchester County. A monument marks the Bethel A.M.E. plot. It bears the names of the church’s founders, trustees, and a testament to their enduring spirit. The weathered headstones at Mount Hope, remnants of the original cemetery, whisper the stories of lives cut short. They also speak of the unwavering faith and community that thrived at Bethel Cemetery.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to