Polktown · Black history & remembrance
African Union Church Cemetery
A place of remembrance along the canal, preserving the stories of one of Delaware’s earliest free Black communities.
The church & its community
Rooted in Polktown
In 1835, five trustees of the African Union Church purchased a half acre of land for $80. The church and cemetery served Polktown, one of Delaware’s earliest free Black settlements. The church building no longer stands, but the cemetery preserves this community’s history.
The Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery research, preserve and interpret this historic burial ground, helping bring its stories back into public view.
African Union Church Cemetery on film
Civil War service
Remembering the United States Colored Troops
Five United States Colored Troops veterans are buried here, their graves marked with government-issued headstones. Other surviving stones commemorate members of the local community, while many graves remain unmarked.
The Friends identify these five soldiers as James Elbert, Joseph Byard, Lewis Taylor, William Crawford and Alexander Draper. William Watson is identified as a possible additional burial, not a confirmed one.
This is both a historic site and a burial ground: a place to remember the people who lived, worshipped and served here.
Preserving a forgotten story
The cemetery was rediscovered in 1990, when children found a gravestone among marsh phragmites. Founded in 1996, the Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery undertook two decades of restoration work before the cemetery and memorial plaza opened to the public. The cemetery is owned by Mount Salem UAME Church.
Learn about the Friends’ preservation workA respectful visit
The cemetery is along the Michael N. Castle Trail in Delaware City. Include a quiet stop on a walk or bicycle ride, respect graves and monuments, and follow posted guidance.
Confirm current access details with the Friends before your visit; their website does not establish current visiting hours.
Contact the Friends before visitingHelp care for this place
The Friends welcome members and donations to support restoration, ongoing maintenance and special projects. Their official membership form includes the available membership levels and instructions for contributing.