On Sunday, April 27, at 3 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Irmo will dedicate a new historic site marker at Bookman Cemetery to recognize enslaved African Americans and to honor their legacy. 

The cemetery serves as a resting place for congregation members and the remains of over 120 enslaved people’s graves. 

These graves were originally located near 1-26 and Broad River Road, the press release said. Graves of the Lorick family, who enslaved them, were also located there. A dealership was constructed there, and the graves were then moved to Bookman Cemetery, 300 Strawberry Ridge Ln., in 2001. 

Bethlehem Lutheran Church has partnered with the (Un)Known Project for this unveiling and dedication.

Hannah Drake, co-founder of (Un)Known Project and a direct descendant of Hannah and Warren Lorick, will be a guest speaker at the dedication.

Attendees will also get the chance to experience the (Un)Known Project’s interactive augmented reality experience, Footprints Through Time. This reality experience illuminates stories of those enslaved. 

The dedication will begin with a worship service followed by the unveiling of the (Un)Known Project site marker. 

Attendees can meet at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 10000 Broad River Rd., at 2:30 p.m. to take a shuttle bus to the site marker. 

Contact Rev. Scott Holland at 803-781-3900 for more information.