Community Work Days
When: May 18, 2024 at 10:00 AM -12:00 PM
Where: Father Dickson Cemetery, 845 South Sappington Road, Crestwood, Missouri 63126
(Third Saturdays of the Month — April to November, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Individual and group volunteers are invited to assist with lawn care, pruning, edge trimming and other landscape maintenance activities. Please bring your own lawn care tools, protective gear, insect repellent and sunscreen. Gas powered weed eaters are especially helpful.
Past Events
Vashon Family Grave Monument Dedication
When: Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 1:00 PM
Where: Father Dickson Cemetery, 845 South Sappington Road, Crestwood, Missouri 63126
Several members of the Vashon family, for which Vashon High School in St. Louis is named, are buried in Father Dickson Cemetery. The grave marker for the family plot disappeared many years ago, and a new marker has been crafted and will be dedicated. This ceremony also coincides with the upcoming 120th anniversary of the founding of the Cemetery.
The monument is dedicated to the legacy of the Vashon Family as ten family members are buried in this historic cemetery. It should be remembered that the Vashon family devoted most of their lives to involvement in civil and human rights issues and education of St. Louis residents. As mentioned, Vashon High School was named in their honor. John Vashon was instrumental in development of the Pine Street YMCA to provide support services for black soldiers and served on the Board of the St. Louis Colored Children’s Home, later named the Annie Malone Children’s Home.
Live Speaker Presentation –
“Eternal Rest: Moses Dickson and the Cemetery Named for Him“
When: April 6, 2024 at 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Road, St. Louis, MO 63123
Program: April is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Moses Dickson—abolitionist, Black activist and leader, and organizer. In 1903, Fr. Moses Dickson Cemetery opened, named for the noted leader. This program explores the significance of Dickson and evolution of the African American burial ground named form him.
Presented by Dr. Jeffrey Smith Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of History Lindenwood University on behalf of the Friends of Father Dickson Cemetery
Program is free. Please call the U.S. Grant Historic Site at 314-842-1867 ext. 230 for reservations.
For more information please see the U.S. Grant Historic Site website at this link: Calendar – Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
FATHER DICKSON CEMETERY 