Rev. Jeffrey W. Campbell was a Black minister who dedicated his many talents first to the Universalist denomination and then to the Unitarian Universalist denomination. Despite years of service, excellent references, and a quick mind, Rev. Campbell never found a full-time ministry. Instead, he had to defend himself and his sister from overtly racist attacks and subtle rebukes. His sister Marguerite Campbell worked for the Universalist Christian Association and then the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Currently unmarked grave site of the Rev. Jeffrey Campbell and Marguerite Campbell
Both Rev. Campbell and Marguerite Campbell are buried in Edgewood Cemetery in Nashua, NH. The plot for their graves has no marker. We are seeking funds to create a marker to commemorate the service of Rev. Jeffrey W. Campbell and Marguerite Campbell to our faith despite the persistent racism they faced. We have secured the blessings of Jeffrey Campbell’s two daughters to erect this marker; Marguerite Campbell herself did not have any children.

This marker celebrating these two Universalist and Unitarian Universalist leaders will not excuse the past racism of our faith, nor will it correct this record. However, this marker will bring to the center Black history that our faith has so far been content to leave in the history books. By highlighting the careers of past Black Universalist and Unitarian Universalist leaders, this project seeks to fulfill the recent call by Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism and UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray to decenter whiteness within our faith.
A Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation Honoring the Campbells
All are invited to a Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation honoring Lillian Campbell, Rev. Jeffrey Campbell and Marguerite Campbell Davis on Saturday, September 22, 2018.

We will begin with a graveside dedication starting at 1:00pm at the Edgewood Cemetery, 107 Amherst Street, Nashua, NH. We will have a dedication and blessing for the new marker on their previously unmarked grave.

At 2:00pm we will have a service of remembrance and reconciliation at our church, 58 Lowell Street, Nashua, NH, with a reception to follow.

This day of remembrance and reconciliation honors the life of the Reverend Jeffrey Campbell, and his sister, Marguerite, who grew up in the Universalist Church. Both Jeffrey and Marguerite served our movement, Jeffrey as a minister and Marguerite as staff at the Universalist Church of America and then the Unitarian Universalist Association. The Campbells were biracial, and because of this faced discrimination throughout their time as Universalists and then Unitarian Universalists.