Source: City Council President Trippi Congo’s Office
Wilmington, DE – Wilmington City Council President Trippi Congo issued the following statement regarding the devastating fire at Mother African Union Church in Wilmington:
“Today, our City suffered more than the loss of a building. We suffered the loss of a sacred piece of Wilmington’s history, culture, faith, and identity.
The devastating fire that tore through Mother African Union Church this morning has left an entire community heartbroken. For generations, Mother African Union Church stood as a spiritual home, a beacon of hope, and a pillar of strength for Wilmington’s African American community. Founded through the legacy of Peter Spencer and the Union Church of Africans movement dating back to 1813, this institution represented faith, resilience, self-determination, and freedom during a time when Black Americans fought to worship and lead independently with dignity. The church’s history is deeply woven into the story of Delaware itself.
What burned today was not simply wood and brick. Within those walls lived generations of memories, baptisms, weddings, funerals, prayers, celebrations, sermons, and community gatherings that shaped countless lives across Wilmington. We also recognize the immeasurable historical value that may have been lost in this fire, including irreplaceable records, artifacts, photographs, documents, and pieces of Black religious and cultural history that can never truly be replaced.
For many families, Mother African Union Church was not only a church, but also a home, a refuge, a tradition, and a source of healing. It was a place where elders passed wisdom down to younger generations and where community members gathered during both triumph and tragedy. Its impact stretched far beyond Sunday services. The church has served as a cornerstone for fellowship, outreach, advocacy, and the preservation of African American heritage in Wilmington for over two centuries.
Through some of the darkest chapters in American history, Mother African Union Church stood as a light that could not be extinguished. During slavery, this sacred institution helped give birth to the August Quarterly, one of the oldest continuously celebrated African American religious festivals in the nation. The church also played an important role in the Underground Railroad, serving as part of a courageous movement that helped enslaved men and women pursue freedom at unimaginable risk. During the painful era of segregation and Jim Crow, Mother African Union Church remained on the front lines of justice, helping to advance civil rights, voting rights, and the fight for equality for generations of African Americans in Wilmington and beyond.
On behalf of Wilmington City Council, I extend our deepest prayers and heartfelt support to the congregation, church leadership, and every resident grieving this unimaginable loss. We are also profoundly grateful to the Wilmington Fire Department and all assisting emergency personnel who responded courageously to battle this devastating blaze.
Even in the ashes of tragedy, the spirit and legacy of Mother African Union Church cannot be destroyed. Buildings may fall, but faith, history, and community endure. Wilmington stands united with the congregation during this painful time, and we will continue to uplift and support them as they begin the long road toward healing and restoration.”
