Graveyard Tour – Double Springs AME Zion
A solitary German shepherd rests for a few moments in the peaceful surroundings of the Double Springs AME Zion Church graveyard in Lewisville, North Carolina.
Double Springs AME Zion Church
The second of six stops on the 2009 Historic Graveyard Tour held on May 2, 2009 in Lewisville, North Carolina took us to the site of Double Springs AME Zion Church. (Click to read the previous post on the Historic Graveyard Tour at Concord United Methodist Church.)
Although the Double Springs AME Zion Church building no longer exists, the ties of family and faith played a key role in resurrecting the church’s once-neglected and much-vandalized graveyard which dates back to the early 1900s.
To see and hear more regarding Double Springs AME Zion Church and its graveyard, simply continue to the NEXT SECTION for PHOTOS, AUDIO, a MAP and news of a SPECIAL EVENT on Saturday, May 23, 2009.
Anna Shore
Anna Shore shares some brief history on Double Springs AME Zion Church and its graveyard as part of the 2009 Historic Graveyard Tour in Lewisville, North Carolina.
On May 2, 2009 Anna Shore, a kindly lady, and a former member of Double Springs AME Zion Church, spoke to those of us on the Historic Graveyard Tour, giving us a brief history of the church and its graveyard.
In the latter 1800s, Double Springs AME Zion Church was formed by members of a few African-American families, including members of the Douthit, Puryear, Bitting, Glenn, Peoples, Transou and Jarrett families.
But it wasn’t until 1903 that the small faith community built their church building, mainly from donations and the sale of lemonade, cakes and pies. Until the early 1940s, the one-room church was also used as a school. In June 1982, the church held its final service.
Painful Decision
Following the official closing of the church, the building and the graveyard became the objects of vandalism and the scene of numerous misdemeanors, and even a suicide. Eventually, former members of the church made the painful decision to tear down the building. They held a brief service at the church, and then tore it down and buried it on the property.
Transformation
By 1998 the graveyard — a continued object of vandalism — was in very bad shape. The area, frankly, was both an eyesore and a place to be avoided. Yet Anna Shore and her family, along with other former church members, began working with Lanier Williams to gradually transform the property. Today, the graveyard is well maintained, with attractive landscaping and a decorative wrought-iron fence.
Annual Memorial Fundraiser Coming Up on May 23, 2009
The Double Springs AME Zion Church graveyard has been transformed to a scene of quiet beauty.
It’s become a tradition that every year in May a program/fundraiser is held to continue funding the upkeep of the Double Springs cemetery. This year’s event is coming up in a few days — on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 11:00 am.
The short program will include sharing the history of the two springs in the area, followed by some scrumptious food. The main treat will be what I’m told is some DE-LICIOUS fish cooked on the spot, as well as turkey, chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, and lots of desserts, including homemade cakes.
In the past, there have also been baby contests and other fun activities to help raise money for the graveyard upkeep. The entire program is expected to last 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
I plan to attend the Double Springs event — and I’m really looking forward to trying the fish! I hope to see you there.
Photo Gallery and Other Links
Check out the links below for the PHOTO GALLERY, the 5-minute MP3 RECORDING of Anna Shore, and the MAP to get you to the site of the Historic Double Springs AME Zion Church.
Photo Gallery: Double Springs AME Zion Church Photo Gallery
Audio: Historical Intro – Double Springs AME Zion Church Recording (MP3, 5 MIN.)
Google Map: Double Springs AME Zion Church Graveyard Map
If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy reading about the other local historic graveyards featured on this website.
