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Shelby, NC (WNN) - On Saturday, September 19, 2026, community members gathered for an unveiling ceremony honoring the individuals buried in unmarked graves at Shelby's historic Old Cemetery, located at 412 W. Sumter St., Shelby, NC 28150, on the edge of Sunset Cemetery.
Chavis Gash, chair of the Our Stories Project, welcomed everyone in attendance with a "good morning," and spoke about the organization's efforts to uncover and share the stories of those buried in the cemetery. The marker presented at the ceremony is the culmination of six years of research through Our Stories Project, a nonprofit organization focused on identifying and recognizing the experiences of historically marginalized communities and preserving their stories for future generations.
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Chavis Gash, chair of Our Stories Project | Unveiling Ceremony | September 19, 2026 | Shelby, NC
Bishop Sharon Cook Martin | Unveiling Ceremony | September 19, 2026 | Shelby, NC
Reverend Anita Ware | Unveiling Ceremony | September 19, 2026 | Shelby, NC
Reverend Jamaal Edwards | Unveiling Ceremony | September 19, 2026 | Shelby, NC
Reverend Charles Webber | Unveiling Ceremony | September 19, 2026 | Shelby, NC
Justin Merritt, Shelby City Manager | Unveiling Ceremony | September 19, 2026 | Shelby, NC
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Sharon Martin took the podium next and explained that the unmarked graves contain the remains of unknown enslaved and formerly enslaved individuals, free Black individuals, and paupers.
"We are here today to honor their resting place, and we shall never forget them. For too long, the final resting place for these individuals was hidden, neglected, or forgotten by history."
- Bishop Sharon Cook Martin
Anita Ware noted that the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, located adjacent to the cemetery, shares more than a property line with the grounds. She said the church shares responsibility for honoring those who came before and preserving those who will come after.
The Shiloh Baptist Church ensemble provided music during the ceremony in between prayers and speakers.
Unveiling Ceremony | September 19, 2026 | Shelby, NC
Unveiling Ceremony | September 19, 2026 | Shelby, NC
Shelby City Manager Justin Merritt thanked the Shelby City Council for funding the storyboards that accompany the historic site. Merritt also highlighted the cemetery's significance, including its connection to Shelby's first black church, now known as Shiloh Baptist Church. You can read more about the site's history here on the city's page.
As part of the ceremony, individuals were invited to unveil the new historical marker, which highlights the history of the church and school, as well as the six-year GPR study conducted to identify underground anomalies. These findings remain at the Old Cemetery, where they will be preserved and remembered.
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