Bethel Burying Ground
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Purchased in 1810 by Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church trustees, it was among the first independent cemeteries for the free black community. Burials ceased in 1864. The land was sold to the city in 1889. Weccacoe Park was built over the graves of thousands of African Americans.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In 1810 the trustees of Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church — the congregation founded by Richard Allen — purchased this ground as a cemetery for Philadelphia's free Black community, one of the first such independent burial places in the nation. Thousands were laid to rest here until burials ended in 1864. Decades later the city bought the land and built Weccacoe Park atop the graves, and the site's history nearly vanished from memory.
Why it matters
The burying ground is sacred evidence of the free Black community that built its own institutions in early Philadelphia, and its recovery has reclaimed thousands of forgotten lives for the historical record.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial0.4 mi away
- Hill-Physick House0.5 mi away · 321 South 4th Street
- Powel House0.6 mi away · 244 South 3rd Street
- Merchants' Exchange Building0.7 mi away · 143 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Bridgette Mayer0.7 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Living History Center0.7 mi away
Attractions
- Italian market0.4 mi away · Christian Street
- USS Becuna0.7 mi away · South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
- USS Olympia0.7 mi away · South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
- City Tavern0.7 mi away · 138 South 2nd Street
- Carpenters' Hall0.7 mi away · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- First Bank of the United States0.8 mi away · 120 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Food & drink
- Talula's Garden0.7 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily0.7 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- FRIEDA0.7 mi away · 320 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Cafe Walnut0.7 mi away · 703 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Fat Salmon0.7 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thank You Thank You Coffee Roasters0.7 mi away · 700 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Morris House Hotel0.7 mi away · 225 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Philadelphia Marriott Old City0.7 mi away · 1 Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing0.7 mi away · 201 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
- Thomas Bond House0.8 mi away · 129 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia
- Alexander Inn0.8 mi away · 301 301 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Philadelphia, PA
- Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel0.8 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · Richard Allen
Themes & tags
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