On Sunday, September 21, 2025 the public is invited to our Annual Archer Alexander Memorial service in honor of his Day of Freedom. Please join us at 1:00 p.m. in the St. Peter’s United Church of Christ Cemetery at 2101 Lucas and Hunt Road in Normandy (St. Louis) Missouri.
During the Civil War, this enslaved man, named Archer Alexander (1806-1880) risked his and his family’s life to alert the Union Troops of impending danger at the Peruque Creek Bridge in St. Charles County and saved hundreds of lives and supplies. A Slave Patrol was soon after him, yet he still managed to help sixteen other freedom seekers across the river at the Howell’s Ferry crossing. The Underground Railroad would lead him to the home of an abolitionist named William Greenleaf Eliot, where he would earn his freedom on September 24th of 1863 for his services to the military. In 1876, Archer Alexander became our nation’s symbol for Freedom in Washington, D.C. on the Emancipation Memorial . He is buried in an unmarked grave at St. Peter’s U.C.C. Cemetery and is listed on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
You will meet members of the family of Archer Alexander, hear the story of “Louisa” in a one-act play by actress Peggy Neely Harris, and meet the sculptor Abraham Mohler and learn about the memorial planned at St. Peter’s U.C.C. Cemetery. The public is invited to join us for the event.
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