Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when word of the Emancipation Proclamation and enforcement via Union Troops arrived in Texas, ordering the freedom of more than 250,000 enslaved Black Texans. Juneteenth is now observed annually on June 19, celebrating emancipation across the nation.

Peerless Rockville partners with Jerusalem-Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church at their Juneteenth Festival for two educational lectures.

At 12 pm – Jerusalem: A Pillar of Faith and Community

Church historian Chiquita Sorrels will share the history of this pillar of the Rockville community – one of the oldest active churches in Rockville. Discover how the church evolved from its founding in 1835 with a racially mixed congregation to an all Black congregation after the Civil War. This church has been at the forefront of Civil Rights in Rockville since before the Civil War playing a key role in segregated education efforts and founding the Montgomery County chapter of the NAACP. Learn theses stories and hear about some of the individuals and organizations memorialized in the stained glass windows.

at 2 pm – Juneteenth: Rockville Troops in Texas

Several thousand U.S. Colored Troop soldiers were in Texas at the time of Juneteenth, including men from Rockville. During the Civil War, Black regiments were recruited from all states of the Union. Nearly 180,000 Black soldiers – including over 8,000 from Maryland – served during the last two years of the war. Their service was crucial to the Union success. After the Confederate surrender, the U.S. Colored Troops were ordered to Brownsville, Texas, to become the Army of Occupation along the Texas border. On their way, storms forced a ship to dock in Galveston, resulting in several USCT regiments there June 18-20, 1865, when General Granger issued General Order No. 3.

Both free and enslaved members of the Rockville African American community in the US CT were in Texas at this time. This presentation will discuss some of their lives: before, during, and after their service.

Before and after the lectures, spend time at this beautiful historic building for the church’s Juneteenth festival, including food and baked good sales, performances, kid’s activities, a yard sale, and more! All proceeds go to restoring and repairing the historic stained glass windows. Lectures are free – donations towards the window restorations are highly encouraged!

Register Now!