A headstone is shown at the St. Nicholas Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery after it underwent restoration. | News4Jax
Published on August 26, 2025 at 4:32 pm
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A once-forgotten African American cemetery in Jacksonville was officially dedicated, marking a powerful and emotional milestone for the community and the families of those buried there.
The historic St. Nicholas Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, located off Phillips Avenue, has undergone a state-required restoration effort after years of neglect. What was once overgrown with weeds and debris is now a place of peace, dignity, and remembrance.
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Church members, local volunteers and descendants of those laid to rest gathered to honor the more than 150 Black Americans buried at the site — including six Civil War soldiers, a World War I veteran, and 52 individuals whose graves were previously unmarked.
Pastor Patterson of St. Nicholas Bethel Baptist Church led a prayer during the ceremony, calling the dedication a “glorious moment” of completion.
“This is not only a historic site, but this is a holy site,” said Sean Leon Holland, a descendant of veteran Leon Holland, who is buried there alongside his grandmother Essie May Holland. “These veterans deserve the same attention and the same honor as other veterans who gave their lives for this country.”
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The cemetery became the focus of renewed public attention last year after News4Jax reported concerns from families about the site’s condition. The cemetery had been fenced in, overrun with trash and boxed in by an apartment complex, with no public access.
Among the families who came forward were members of the Holland family from Georgia. They voiced heartbreak over the condition of the gravesite of Leon Holland, a U.S. Air Force veteran. His niece and nephew, Kellie and Sean Leon Holland, said the state of the cemetery was especially troubling given Jacksonville’s military history.
After the media coverage and advocacy from the community, the cemetery was designated as one of Jacksonville’s oldest African American cemeteries and qualified for restoration under state requirements.
Despite the progress, questions remain. Church leaders say they are still seeking guidance from the city of Jacksonville regarding long-term maintenance, parking and public access. City Council member Matt Carlucci has said he hopes to coordinate a meeting between city departments to provide assistance and resources.
A grand opening of the cemetery to the public is expected in the coming weeks.
This story was produced by News4Jax, a Jacksonville Today news partner.
