EAST WHITELAND TOWNSHIP, PA — In a significant nod to its rich and diverse historical fabric, East Whiteland Township, alongside the East Whiteland Historical Commission and Bertha Jackmon, Church Historian at Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, this week announced the unveiling of a new historic marker. This marker will honor the ruins of the Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church on Bacton Hill Road, an area recognized as hallowed ground.
The dedication ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 1:30 – 2:00 PM, marking a milestone in the township’s ongoing commitment to preserving and acknowledging its historical heritage.
Ebenezer AME Church: A Testament to Perseverance and Courage
Born out of the Free African Society movement initiated in Philadelphia in 1787, the Ebenezer AME Church bears witness to a vibrant and resilient African American community that has significantly shaped East Whiteland Township.
In 1832, local Quaker James Malin transferred the land to church trustees, leading to the construction of this historic edifice. The community that built this structure lived, worked, and raised their families on Bacton Hill. The church grounds also host more than eighty gravesites, including those of African Americans who bravely enlisted and fought for the Union in the Civil War following the Emancipation Proclamation.
Preserving History: The Role of East Whiteland Historical Commission
The East Whiteland Township Historical Commission remains a key player in identifying and protecting the township’s historic properties. Despite the location of many of these resources in developed areas, the threat of future development and change looms large.
The Commission aims to integrate these historical structures into the community’s evolving landscape, a strategy vital to preserving our historic resources. Their mission encapsulates raising awareness of the township’s history, encouraging the preservation of cultural character, and safeguarding the physical evidence of our shared past.
The dedication ceremony not only acknowledges the significant contributions of the African American community to East Whiteland Township but also underscores the township’s commitment to preserving its historical legacy.
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