Father Dickson Cemetery, established in 1903, is named for Rev. Moses Dickson, an abolitionist, minister and social activist in the St. Louis area. Located in Crestwood, Missouri, the 13-acre site contains more than 12,000 burials of formerly enslaved Black Americans and their descendants. The Cemetery provided final rest for Black citizens from all walks of life who, at the time, could not be buried with White persons in public cemeteries. As was typical with most Black cemeteries of that era, Father Dickson Cemetery made gravesites available, but it was not endowed to provide perpetual care. The Cemetery closed to new burials in the 1970’s and later fell victim to vandalism, misuse and neglect. Then, in the mid-1980’s, when the Cemetery was threatened with commercial development, members of the Black community — some, the descendants of persons buried there — organized the Friends of Father Dickson Cemetery to protect, restore and reclaim the historic landmark. After decades of volunteer labor and financial support from across the St. Louis area, the group has brought the site from an eyesore to an asset, and in October, 2021, Father Dickson Cemetery was named to the National Register of Historic Places.
Of the 12,000+ burials recorded at the Cemetery, just under 1,000 are marked. Efforts are currently underway to map and identify every grave, and to link those graves to genealogical research sources. The Friends have partnered with local churches, businesses, civic groups, schools, and universities to enhance the presence of Father Dickson Cemetery. For instance, the property features more than a dozen Eagle Scout projects through the Boy Scouts of America.
Listen to Ernest Jordan, President of the Friends of Father Dickson Cemetery as he speaks about the rich history of the cemetery:
FATHER DICKSON CEMETERY 