Trinity AME Zion Church receives Freedom Trail marker

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – The oldest African American church in Broome County was recently honored for its rich history.

The Trinity AME Zion Church in Binghamton was named the 13th location on the Harriet Tubman Pilgrimage Trail on Sunday. The church, which has been around for 185 years, received the historical marker because it was an official stop on the Underground Railroad, offering a safe haven for slaves fleeing the South. The unveiling was part of a Juneteenth celebration weekend.

This is the church’s second marker on the trail with the first being located at Columbus Park, the original site of the church.

Reverend Damond Wilson says the marker serves as a conversation starter. He says Trinity has been at the forefront of the struggle for civil rights in our area.

“Another reason why us celebrating history like this is important is because we know what not to repeat. There’s a bad habit of us repeating the past and not learning from it. So, by us being ever mindful of where we come from, we can know better where we’re going,” said Wilson.

Wilson says the marker reminds us of all that we can do better on our track to freedom.

The Freedom Trail was created by Binghamton University to teach the community about the area’s civil rights history.

Service at Trinity takes place at 11 a.m. every Sunday with bible study beginning at 9:45.

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