The red square indicates the boundaries of Bethel Burying Ground that lies within Weccacoe Park (blue lines).
The article below appeared in the April 24, 1892 edition of the Times, a Philadelphia newspaper.
Historic Grounds
Weccacoe Park a few years ago was the old burial ground of Bethel AME Church. In the early 19th century, Richard Allen established it so that Black people could be buried with the same respect as white people. However, in succeeding years, the rains beat down, the water washed the bones of the dead out of their graves, and the Board of Health was forced, out of regard for the health of Southwark, to interpose. It has been over twenty-five years now since any burials have taken place in Bethel, and after the Board of Health issued its mandate the ground was neglected and went to ruin.
Bethel Burying Ground Project 