The original church was formed from the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in 1886. It purchased the property from the estate of Pat Hall on 11-23-1895. The first building was constructed in 1900. It was replaced in 1922. The cemetery became inactive.
"Beginning New Life As A Furniture Store" by Jane Lee Lisenby, The Charlotte Observer, 9-9-1978.
Please see the survey done by the Charlotte - Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission (www.cmhpf.org). A marker has been placed near the entrance to the apartment complex designating the location of the slave cemetery and is shown in the photo. It is to the left and back of the property, when you enter the Thornberry Apt. complex. It has a black wrought iron fence surrounding the property and has small wire flags marking the places that appear to be graves.
In May of 1983, this Church was known as Bethesda Church and has since changed names. See John the Baptist Ministries Church and Cemetery.
probably African American
It belonged to a church that existed between 1906-1928. Family names are Alexander, Brown, Flenniken, Rankin, Hutchison and Sample. Located behind the fence of the Essex Condominiums near the corner of Providence and Sardis Rds., it is best viewed from the parking lot. The cemetery is fenced and behind a private home.
1) "Cemetery of Carmel Presbyterian Church," by Kathlee Hicks for the Olde Mecklenburg Genealogical Society Quarterly, vol. 10, no.2 (April-May-June, 1992), pages 44-5.
Comprehensive Genealogical Services, Elloree Erwin, verifiers
There are many unmarked graves or grave markers without inscriptions. The first known burial was 1845, and the last known burial was in 1896. It is reported to be one of the first Methodist congregations between the Catawba and the Yadkin Rivers. It was organized by Andrew Moore, a former member of Hopewell Presbyterian Church. William J. Charles survey for the Mecklenburg Genealogy Society in 1983
This cemetery was near an early Mecklenburg County poor house. Some researchers believe the dead were victims of the Charlotte small pox epidemic in 1896. ON 4/16/1954, 28 African-Americans remains were moved by the Board of School Commissioners from this cemetery to Sec. B, Row #11 in Pinewood North. One oral history recently revealed that around 1915-1919, some of this cemetery was paved over with the city's knowledge. Efforts are being made to determine if there is any link between these deceased and the slaves of Rosedale and surrounding farms.
It can be seen from the south side of Brown Mill Rd. near the intersection with Hwy. 73.
This church was established in 1882. The cemetery is visible from Sharon Amity and is on the right side of the church.