Funding Boost for Oakville Cemetery Restoration Efforts

Galilee United Methodist Cemetery in Oakville is set to enhance its appearance thanks to support from the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture and the Maryland Historical Trust.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland has been awarded $38,000, which they plan to utilize soon for examining unmarked burials, refreshing gravestones, and installing new fences and benches at the cemetery, said anthropology professor Liza Gijanto.

“It’ll make it a more welcoming space for the families that are still interring relatives, but there’s still a lot of families that are out of the area that want to come back and visit the space,” she said.

The site received a similar grant last year aimed at locating unmarked burials, so this new funding will allow them to keep moving forward with the project, which they aim to complete within six months, Gijanto mentioned.

The cemetery was established in 1877 as part of the Galilee United Methodist Church; however, challenges arose when the building caught fire in 1983. The Baltimore Methodist Conference decided that Hollywood United Methodist Church would take on responsibility for maintaining the cemetery, according to Brad Branch, a church member and cemetery volunteer.

Over time, upkeep became increasingly necessary at the site. As a result, descendants along with other community members created the Coalition to Conserve Historic Galilee Church and Cemetery with hopes of restoring it and identifying unmarked graves, stated coalition member Larry Butler.

“No one even knew it was a cemetery. You couldn’t tell where the gravesites were,” he said.

While Butler and fellow volunteers managed to clear some trees away, funding remained an issue for additional projects. They reached out to St. Mary’s College as well as Historic St. Mary’s City for help with their grant application.

“Documentation of the history of the area is also important in that it allows the community to kind of take pride in the area once again,” Kelsey Bush, director of community engagement at St. Mary’s College remarked.

Bush participated in forming this grant program during her time on the commission. Since religious groups often face difficulties obtaining federal funds, they believed these grants would serve as an ideal solution.

Religious organizations have played an essential role within African American communities historically-especially during slavery-Bush noted.

“Homecoming played an integral part of the church because it brought about families that had moved away, and it was a reconnection time, and it was just so joyful to see those people coming back in those days,” coalition member Madeline Nelson shared.

The cemetery remains active today; Branch noted many descendants express their desire to be laid to rest alongside their ancestors while continuing efforts to maintain this site so those buried there aren’t forgotten.

“It’s very important that we get this cemetery up and going and in the right condition so we are aware of other loved ones that are buried in the cemetery,” Kimberlee Smith-Nelson’s daughter-said.

The cemetery includes some members who served in U. S. Colored Troops alongside veterans from various wars. Karin and Brad Branch reported at least 150 individuals rest at this site yet only around 30 have markers indicating their graves.

Karin Branch highlighted how ground penetrating radar purchased using last year’s funding has aided them in pinpointing unmarked graves.
“It gives them dignity in their final resting spot,” she stated.

“We have to keep the conversation going, keeptheconversationopen, andtofindouttherealhistory,”coalitionmember Gwen Bankinssaid.”Everystoryisworthcapturing.”

If you have a story about Galilee, couldyoupleaseemailthecoalitionatrestoregalileeumc@gmail. com?

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