Bethel-Christian Avenue-Laurel Hill Historical District, Historical district in Setauket-East Setauket, United States.
The Bethel-Christian Avenue-Laurel Hill Historical District encompasses the Bethel AME Church, Laurel Hill Cemetery, and several residential structures spanning different periods. The buildings and landscape display how this settlement developed architecturally over many centuries.
The area was first settled in the 1600s by enslaved African people and members of the Setalcott tribe, who established their communities here. The founding of the church in 1848 marked a major turning point in the settlement's continued growth and organization.
The Bethel AME Church has long served as the heart of this community and reflects its deep roots. Visitors can experience how this place functions as both a gathering spot and spiritual center for residents.
The buildings and cemetery are accessible during daylight hours, and the original architectural features remain well-maintained. Visitors should approach the site respectfully, as it continues to serve the local community.
The Hawkins Homestead within this district represents an unusually surviving example of African-American land ownership at a time when owning property was exceptionally rare. This makes the site a significant record of Black economic history in the region.
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