The Lincoln Cemetery
There is a long history associated with the Lincoln Cemetery which was at one time designated for burial of Black people in St. Petersburg. The land was ceded by the city to Gulfport. Now there is an initiative for the city boundaries to be redrawn with the Lincoln Cemetery back within the boundaries of the City of St. Petersburg.
Most of the people who are buried in the Lincoln Cemetery were from the City of St. Petersburg not Gulfport. Some of the families who still live locally and have loved ones buried in the Lincoln Cemetery would like to have the Cemetery reincorporated into St. Petersburg. The reclaiming of the Lincoln Cemetery is what we as Christians would call a prophetic action. It is a symbolic action that honors the lives of those in the Cemetery and their families and redresses a past wrong.
This initiative has been led by Josette Green who is part of the weekly labyrinth walk community at Lakewood church.
The annexation of the Lincoln Cemetery is coming before the St. Petersburg City Council. Please consider contacting your council member and expressing your support for the reclamation of the Lincoln Cemetery by the City of St. Petersburg.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 