Friends of Worthington Cemetery

Our Story

Our Mission

The Friends of Worthington Cemetery purpose is:

To advocate for the preservation and conservation of Worthington Cemetery and
To educate and engage the public in the history and story of Worthington Cemetery.

What happened to the cemetery?

Over many years, starting in the early 20th century, this Defiance County Black farming communities' historic family burial ground was slowly "erased" by land ownership changes, neglect and agricultural use. Research and federal records document the unfortunate erasure of Worthington Cemetery,

Get Involved

We meet every month on the first Thursday at 7:00pm at various Defiance, Ohio locations. Check the above website header for current meeting location details. All interested parties and living descendants are welcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at jbudde040749@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What is Friends of Worthington Cemetery and what do we do?

We are a small group of local concerned neighbors who have realized a cemetery should always remain and be treated as sacred ground. Along with the Defiance Public Library, whose research uncovered this historic Black community and family burial ground, we work to unerase this sacred ground. We support the installation of an Ohio Historic Marker to be erected in late 2024 or early 2025. We meet monthly and continue to seek and contact living descendants of Archibald Worthington and others buried in Worthington Cemetery.

Where is Worthington Cemetery?

Worthington cemetery is locationed north of Bowman Road, 1/4 mile East of Ohio State Rt. 15. The cemetery GPS coordinates are

41°13'37.9"N 84°19'54.7"W

How do I become a member? Do you have membership dues?

Friends of Worthington Cemetery (FOWC) do not have membership dues. Membership only requires one of two criteria be met:

Attend at least three (3) scheduled meetings and participate in at least one (1) committee or FOWC activity or
Believe themselves to be a descendant of Archibald Worthington or anyone known or believed to be buried in Worthington Cemetery.

Welcome

Forgotten History... Worthington Cemetery

Our Story

Our Mission

What happened to the cemetery?

Get Involved

Thanks to all the Friends who volunteered and attended Our Juneteenth Celebration

What'swrong with this picture?

Frequently Asked Questions

41°13'37.9"N 84°19'54.7"W

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Welcome

Forgotten History... Worthington Cemetery

Our Story

Our Mission

What happened to the cemetery?

Get Involved

Thanks to all the Friends who volunteered and attended Our Juneteenth Celebration

What'swrong with this picture?

Frequently Asked Questions

41°13'37.9"N 84°19'54.7"W

Subscribe

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