THE PROMISE. Honoring the Fretwell Legacy. From 1883 to 1886. From 1886 to 2026. From 2026 and Beyond on September 12, 2026 at 10am.

 

THE PROMISE. Honoring the Fretwell Legacy. From 1883 to 1886. From 1886 to 2026. From 2026 and Beyond on September 12, 2026 at 10am. 

Honor Through Service. Remember Through Action. Preserve the Legacy. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilUnXZTwCww

HALTOM CITY: In 1883, Rev. Greene Fretwell, having escaped slavery and found freedom, brought his family to what became the Spears Grove community in present-day Haltom City. He helped establish a faith community built upon hope, hard work, and the belief that future generations deserved something better.

When Rev. Fretwell died in 1886, his vision did not end.

It was carried forward by his wife, Mother Frances Fretwell.

Determined that her community would always have a sacred place to bury its loved ones, she traveled from farm to farm, asking families to join her in purchasing land for a cemetery. Her promise was simple but enduring: https://youtu.be/jtTr5A1elmg

“If we build this place together, our people will always have a place to come home.”

That promise became the Historic Fretwell Cemetery, now part of People’s Memorial Legacy Park in Haltom City.

Today, more than 8,000 Black pioneers of Tarrant County rest on these sacred grounds. They include formerly enslaved families, Buffalo Soldiers, veterans, ministers, teachers, laborers, business owners, mothers, fathers, and children whose lives helped build the foundation of our communities.

Their stories are our history.

Their sacrifices are our inheritance.

Their resting place is our responsibility.

On Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 10:00 A.M., A Circle of Churches, in partnership with the Texas Buffalo Soldiers Association, will gather at the Historic Fretwell Cemetery at People’s Memorial Legacy Park for a National Day of Service as part of Carry The Load’s nationwide effort to honor those who have sacrificed for our nation and our communities.

As we clean the grounds, restore headstones, remove debris, and care for this sacred place, we are doing more than community service.

We are honoring the vision of Rev. Greene Fretwell.

We are fulfilling the promise of Mother Frances Fretwell.

We are preserving the dignity of more than 8,000 Black pioneers.

And we are ensuring that future generations will know the names, the stories, and the sacrifices of those who came before them.

We will honor the Fretwell legacy from 1883 to 1886.

We will honor the promise from 1886 to 2026.

And from 2026 and beyond, we will continue carrying the load by preserving this sacred ground for generations yet to come.

Because promises are not remembered simply by words.

Promises are remembered when people keep them.

We Honor the Past by Serving in the Present.

We Keep the Promise.