Historic Mt. Union Cemetery Restoration Project

The historic Mt. Union Cemetery Preservation Association (MUCPA) is requesting your assistance with the Mt. Union Cemetery Preservation Project.

The Mt. Union Cemetery was founded in 1882 by Nathan Cathey and other men arriving in the Monroe County area in search of a new life after slavery. Nathan Cathey, a Union Civil War veteran, saved his civil war pension, purchased land and moved his entire family to the Blackton, Arkansas community to settle new land and start a new journey.

Nathan was also Elder for some of the oldest churches in this United States, and he established the Mt. Union Church of Christ (known today as the Blackton Church of Christ), the oldest independent African American CoC in Arkansas and one of the oldest in the United States. 

In 1911, Nathan Cathey formally donated 1/2 acre of land for the establishment of the cemetery. Nathan died in 1918 and both he and his wife, Francis are buried at the cemetery. There are over 100+ burials onsite with many over 100 years old and unmarked.

The cemetery is now in need of dire maintenance with threats of closure if funds are not raised to maintain the property and extend the grounds.

Please help honor the legacy of American history and this legendary burial site by contributing to the worthy cause.

Mt Union Cemetery Preservation Association

KATV News highlight on the campaign