CECILTON — April 22, 2024—The National Park Service announced Monday that Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church has been officially designated a National Network to Freedom site. This prestigious recognition celebrates the church’s significant connections to the Underground Railroad, symbolizing a beacon of hope and refuge for countless individuals seeking freedom and justice during the antebellum era.
Today’s church bears direct witness to its roots, which are traced back to the 1850s. In that tumultuous period, “Uncle Perry Hinson” ” built a small house of worship on the outskirts of Cecilton amidst the woods. As the only place where Black people could gather locally, faith and kinship aided freedom seekers and resistance, the modest sanctuary serving as a refuge for worship, education, fellowship, and the pursuit of equality.
Bishop Levi Coppin, born in 1848, grew up in this faith community. His mother ran a clandestine school to teach enslaved people to read and write, empowering them with literacy and knowledge.
Union Bethel AME Chuch stands among 19 newly recognized sites spanning ten states, all contributing to the history of resistance against enslavement. The Network to Freedom program is dedicated to honoring, preserving, and sharing these stories of courage and determination.
The designation process for National Network to Freedom sites involves a rigorous semi-annual nomination and review process. Through this selective assessment, each site’s historical ties to the Underground Railroad are meticulously authenticated and celebrated, ensuring that their significance is duly recognized and honored.