The Friends of the

African Union Church Cemetery

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About Us

The Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery was established in 1996 to restore and preserve this historic cemetery owned by the Mt. Salem Union AME Church.

The Friend's primary mission is to preserve and share the rich history of the cemetery with the general public, from children through adults. The cemetery, part of one of the first free black communities in Delaware, includes the burials of five United States Colored Troops who fought bravely during the Civil War. Critical to this mission is to ensure that the site will be intact and accessible for future generations.

Purely by accident the cemetery was rediscovered over twenty years ago by a few adventurous children who discovered a tombstone amidst the marsh phragmites. Oral histories of Delaware City residents recall a time when the erosion of the canal bank caused some of the burials to literally fall into the canal.

The Friends group teaches the heritage of the African-American community in Delaware City, and in particular educates about the contribution of local African-American soldiers to the Union's efforts in the Civil War.



Board of Directors 2025

President: Rev. Marilyn Turner
Vice President: Marilyn Whittington
Treasurer: Loree Elton
Secretary: vacant


Mary Bricker-Jenkins
Robert Seidle

Mt Salem UAME Church
Rev. Marilyn Turner - Ex-Officio

City of Delaware City
Paul Johnson, Mayor - Ex-Officio
Britney Loveland, City Manager - Ex Officio


 

Advisory Board 2025

Linda Beck
Tracy Beck
Linda Butler
Jeanne Corman
Fr. David Driesch
Loree Elton
Winnie Graham
Wes Jones
Laura Lee, Chair: Programming & Outreach
David Orr - Emeritus
Janet Pauley
Roberta Perkins
Willis Phelps
Claire Wyngaard



The African Union Church Cemetery