08/14/2024
📜 The Historic African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church of Yardley: The Boatyard Legacy of Ownership and Preservation 📜
At the heart of Yardley Borough stands the Historic African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, now home to Gather Place Museum—a living testament to the town’s rich history and the often-overlooked contributions of its African American community. Established in 1682 by Quaker William Yeardley and later developed by his nephew Thomas Yardley, the village evolved into what is now Yardleyville. The AME Church property, a significant part of this history, is documented in a deed preserved by the Bucks County Historical Society and recorded by the Bucks County Recorder of Deeds. From the Yardleys—Thomas, George, and Charles—to the Staplers, the AME congregants, and now Shirley Lee Corsey, this property boasts a fascinating and diverse legacy of ownership.
Originally known as the Boatyard lot, the property was used by the Quaker Eastburn family as a hay press barn. By 1817, it had become a gathering place for African American worshippers, known as the "Free Peoples Church" and later "The Colored Church." This site played a vital role in Yardley’s Underground Railroad network.
The church’s legacy is deeply connected to John Stevenson, an early African American AME congregant who crossed over from the nearby Delaware River in the late 1800s from Trenton, New Jersey. Alongside other African American worshippers and Quakers, Stevenson helped establish the Yardley AME congregation. In 1877, they built the church, creating a sanctuary for worship and community, with significant contributions from the Derry family, Yardley’s oldest African American lineage.
Thanks to Helene Derry Giles, the church’s legacy was initially officially recorded with the Bucks County Heritage Conservancy in 1982. Fast forward to July 2022, Shirley Lee Corsey, a third-generation Yardley Borough resident, became the legal conservator of this historic landmark. Her dedication to preserving Yardley’s history shines through her stewardship of Gather Place Museum, ensuring that the rich stories of Yardley’s African American and Quaker communities continue to be told.
The church’s inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places highlights its importance to Yardley and the broader American narrative. Gather Place Museum remains committed to bringing this history to life, honoring those who came before and inspiring future generations.
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