This story is part of an ongoing journalistic initiative to rally the community and the country around a critical, but endangered, historical site: Sandy Ground, the nation’s oldest free Black settlement still inhabited by descendants of its pioneers.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — On a property where history runs deep, Rossville AME Zion Church is confronting the visible wear of age. Unsafe steps, worn wooden pews, an antiquated sound system and a crumbling facade are among the challenges members face as they work to protect not only the landmark, but the life of the congregation rooted there.
Nearby, the historic Baymen’s Cottages need overgrown vegetation cleared immediately. In addition, Rossville AME Zion Church Cemetery requires ongoing trimming and clearing to keep the grounds safe for the many descendants who visit their ancestors at the burial ground.
The church, as well as other landmarked structures, are part of Sandy Ground, the oldest free Black community still inhabited by descendants of its original settlers…