In 1871, when the Trustees established the Smith Chapel AME Church, they also established the Douglass Schoolhouse for their children. The Schoolhouse has been removed to Oglesby Park, and is now part of the St. Charles County Parks in Wentzville, Missouri.
Author Archives: Dorris Keeven-Franke
Memorial Day 2024
Let us not forget the true meaning of this day, and the hardships and sacrifices of those who have served our country, in peacetime and in war, and allow us to celebrate their lives.
National Underground Railroad
Smith Chapel Cemetery located in Foristell, in St. Charles County is one of four new listings in Missouri on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom…
Smith Ball
Buried at Smith Chapel A.M.E. Cemetery in Foristell is Smith Ball, one of the nine Trustees who helped start the A.M.E. church in 1871. On Sunday, February 28, 1864, thirty-one-year-old Smith Ball had made his way from one end of St. Charles County to the other, a distance of about 25 miles, to reach freedom.Continue reading “Smith Ball”
Freedom Seeker Martin Boyd
Freedom Seeker Martin Boyd was a trustee that established Smith Chapel A.M.E. Cemetery…. Read more
Benjamin Oglesby and the U.S. Colored Troops
His children, grandchildren, and future generations would attend Douglass School, a segregated African American schoolhouse, which has been removed to Ogelsby Park, part of St. Charles County Parks & Recreation.
Smith Chapel Cemetery 