WESTTOWN TWP, PA — A community effort to honor the historic Westtown Shiloh AME Church cemetery was presented to township supervisors this week, as advocates push for a marker to commemorate the site’s significance.
The cemetery, located on Shiloh and Little Shiloh Roads, holds the remains of at least 140 congregants, including 14 Black Civil War veterans. It once belonged to the Westtown Shiloh AME Church, a center for a thriving Black community over 200 years ago. However, the church was demolished decades ago, grave markers were destroyed or taken, and the site is now overgrown and inaccessible.
Stephen Lyons, chair of the Friends of Shiloh AME Church and Cemetery (FoS), urged supervisors to approve a historic marker and recognize the area’s rich heritage. Lyons highlighted the church’s importance as a community hub, its ties to the Underground Railroad, and its role in early AME religious history. “This is the time to commemorate members of our community,” he said, referencing the upcoming America250 celebrations in 2026.
The proposed marker would be funded through donations raised by FoS and managed by the Brandywine Valley Civil War Round Table, a nonprofit organization. Advocates requested the township place the marker in the public right of way, since the landowner has not engaged in dialogue. While supportive, township officials emphasized their obligation to consider property owners’ interests and deferred any decision for further discussion.
The meeting drew wide support, with endorsements from the Pennsylvania Hallowed Grounds initiative, the Chester County Historic Preservation Network, and members of the local AME Church. Advocates note this would be Westtown’s first historical marker acknowledging African American history.
FoS is also seeking descendants of those buried in the cemetery to further honor the legacy of this once-thriving community. Find an alphabetical list of burials at FindAGrave by searching Westtown Township under cemetery location. Contact friendsofshilohame@gmail.com if you’re a descendant.
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