Antioch Missionary Baptist Church had successfully annexed the Boston Hill Cemetery, a historically Black cemetery in Oviedo, Florida.

According to Click Orlando, Antioch launched its petition to annex the cemetery in 2022. The petition was put to the vote, and local leaders approved the annexation of the cemetery on Monday.

Details of the Annexation

A report by Click Orlando revealed that Antioch Missionary Baptist Church legally owns the cemetery through a 1926 donation by Prince Butler Boston. The news outlet said Boston donated the 4.6-acre plot of land to give Black residents a proper burial place for their departed loved ones.

Monday’s vote meant that the cemetery will now enjoy protection from the city of Oviedo in terms of fire and police presence.

Oviedo’s communications manager Lisa McDonald told Click Orlando that the annexation would benefit the city and Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

“It’s beneficial in many ways. They get to deal directly with the city, and it also gives them a better public safety. If there’s a fire or if they need a police presence, we’re very close compared to Seminole County. If they need anything from our public works or our development services, we’re right around the corner. It is exciting because the Boston family is such an intricate part of the city of Oviedo,” Click Orlando quoted McDonald saying.

The news outlet said city officials initially expressed hopes a few hours before the voting process that the annexation petition would not encounter any opposition.

With the petition now approved, Oviedo Mayor Megan Sladek said they now have better chances of highlighting the contributions of the people who established and helped make Oviedo the city it is today. Sladek said the historically Black Boston Hill Cemetery should rightfully be part of Oviedo, just like the white cemetery it has.

The mayor founded the Oviedo Preservation Project, which seeks to “preserve Oviedo’s historic places and traditions.”

About Boston Hill Cemetery

According to the RICHES website, Black people were once prohibited from burying their dead at Oviedo’s cemetery.

Fortunately, Prince Butler Boston intervened by donating over five acres of land to Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. With it, African Americans in Oviedo had somewhere to bury their dead with dignity.

The website added that Boston ensured that Black community members enjoyed free burials, a move that further endeared him to Oviedo’s Black community.

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Oviedo was established in 1875. Rev. R.W. Lawton served as the church’s first advisor, while Rev. Amos Laster was Antioch’s first pastor.

Prince Butler Boston served as one of the church’s deacons and benefactors. Boston reportedly worshipped and served Antioch Missionary Baptist Church for 61 years until his death in 1947. He was a church deacon and Sunday School Superintendent, the website added.

The church offers over 20 ministries, including the Missions Ministry, Youth Ministry, Media Ministry, and Young Adult Fellowship. 

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church’s present pastor is Charles Jones, who has been steering the congregation since 1997.

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