2019-11-07 00:23:02
Bucktown Road Bucktown, MD 21613 There is no public access.
Harriet Tubman’s master, Edward Brodess, was a member of the congregation founded here in 1812. Tubman, her mother, and siblings may have worshipped here with other enslaved families and their owners. Traditionally, the enslaved were required by their masters to attend church services with them, sitting in the back of the church or in balconies, separate from white congregants. The current building was constructed in 1891. The church had separate graveyards with blacks buried just east of Bucktown Road and whites buried behind the church and grove of trees. Members of the Bucktown community from Harriet Tubman’s time are laid to rest in this cemetery.
Faith brought free and enslaved people together. Camp meetings were also common in this area, and they provided one of the few legal ways blacks could gather in groups. During the summer and fall, enslaved and free blacks could worship together at outdoor Methodist camp meetings here in Bucktown and express their faith freely. Their spiritual practices strengthened family and friendship bonds and sustained them through the dark days of slavery.
Next Site
Drive north along Bucktown Road for 0.5 mile to the intersection with Decoursey Bridge Rd. The Meredith Farm is on the left. There is no public access. Begin audio tour mobile listening track at this intersection as you drive north on Bucktown Road.
Previous Site
Head south on Bucktown Rd. for 0.5 mile. Bear left onto Bestpitch Ferry Rd. Travel over 4 miles to the one-lane bridge. Turn around in the parking lot just before or after the bridge.
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