Located north of Wilmington in Brandywine Hundred is the historical Newark Union Church & Cemetery. The property is under the care of the Newark Union Corporation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the legacy of the Church and Cemetery. The Corporation has a 10-member volunteer board which oversees the operations and care of the site.
The goal of the Newark Union Corporation is to honor the past and secure the future of the historic Newark Union Church & Cemetery and to share this historic treasure with the community.
The vision of enhancing the site, opening the building as a museum and making improvements in the cemetery has raised excitement and support from many visitors towards these goals. This confirmation of our vision has provided the confidence to foresee an even broader outreach to share this historical site.
Newark Union Corporation Board of Directors
Bob Daly – President – Caretaker; Curator of the Church museum
Cindy Davis – Secretary – Resident of neighboring Normandy Manor
Anne Daly – Treasurer – Caretaker; Cemetery Director
Janet Baumann – Director – 10th generation descendent of
Valentine Hollingsworth
Martha Weldin – Director – Weldin family member;
Co-Curator of the Church museum
Lori Porter – Director – Representative of the NSDAR
Gavin May – Director – Amateur archeologist and entrepreneur
Patrick Kawka – Director – Antique bottle enthusiast; Artistic expressionist
Bonnie Ardis – Director –Foulk family descendent; Geneology research
Cathy Andriadis – Director – Press relations; Public communications
MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of the Newark Union Corporation is to:
• Maintain and keep in repair the free church known as Newark Union Church;
• Maintain and keep in repair the free burial grounds known as Newark Union Burial Grounds;
• Support the use of the church and cemetery by all persons, living in Brandywine Hundred, and their families, in attending funerals and interments for the purpose of interring their dead;
• Preserve the church and cemetery grounds;
• Plan programs and activities to attract community support and involvement;
• Develop historical interpretation for the general public;
• Expand partnerships with other nonprofit entities;
• Maintain and raise adequate funds to fulfill our mission and goals.
The Newark Union Church & Cemetery has developed a network with other historic properties in the Brandywine Hundred area and with regional and national organizations, including:
Jester Artspace
Mt. Pleasant Meetinghouse
Brandywine Hundred Historical Society
Descendants of Valentine Hollingsworth Sr Society
Friends of Pigeon Run Cemetery