BURNSVILLE — Tucked away off a country road, the cemetery sits unassumingly atop a small knoll in rural northwest Anson County. Marked by a large boulder with…
Community works to identify and memorialize those buried in cemetery where many enslaved people and descendants were laid to rest
The Poplar Springs Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery was one of the few cemeteries in the area where Black residents could be laid to rest at the time. Author: Kendall Morris Updated: 6:08 PM EDT May 14, 2021
ANSON COUNTY, N.C. A group of people in Anson County are working to memorialize those buried in a cemetery where many enslaved people and their descendants were laid to rest.
The Poplar Springs Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery dates back to 1850.
According to a website detailing its history, “it acted as a cemetery for the attendees of the Poplar Springs Missionary Baptist Church and many others for 100 years. It was one of the few cemeteries in the area where Black residents could be laid to rest.”
BURNSVILLE The Burnsville Recreation and Learning Center is inviting individuals who have family members buried at the historic Poplar Springs Baptist Church to share their family’s stories to honor the local African American history.
An student from Wingate University, Julia Lasure, is helping with the restoration of the historic cemetery as an intern. Lasure is working towards a degree in History. She’s been collecting information about those who are buried in the cemetery.
BRLC is also hosting a diverse cultural awareness event on Feb. 28. Friends and relatives from the Burnsville Community are asked to bring a picture of their ancestors to be put on display at Poplar Springs Church during the 5 p.m. session.