This cemetery existed from at least 1707 to 1860. Knowledge of this early and unusual burial ground continues to unfold, with academic research ongoing on recently recovered remains.

HISTORY

The First Baptist Church of Philadelphia was founded in 1698, just 16 years after William Penn established Philadelphia. In 1707 the First Baptist Church moved into a former Quaker Meeting House on LaGrange Place, a small street south of 2nd and Arch. The church opened the existing burial ground behind the church to different sects and faiths. Twenty known victims of the 1797 yellow fever epidemic were recorded here, and other victims of the 1793, 1798, and 1799 epidemics also were buried here, as were 15 persons of African descent, according to cemetery burial records.

In 1855 the growing church moved again to the northwest corner of Arch and Broad streets, and the cemetery fell into disrepair. In 1856 the church applied to move the graves to Mount Moriah Cemetery, and approval was granted in December 1859. With only 3 months for the project, in the middle of winter, not all bodies were removed; perhaps 3,000 remained in the ground.

ARTICLE IN THE PUBLIC LEDGER, MARCH 8, 1860

"Singular Preservation of Human Bodies.—The congregation of the First Baptist Church, which is now located at Broad and Arch sts., sometime since commenced the removal of the bodies interred in the burying ground attached to the old church, in Ledger Place, (formerly Lagrange Place,) Second street, between Market and Arch, for the purpose of re-interring them in Mount Moriah Cemetery. The burying ground comprises about one acre, which appears to have been closely filled with bodies. In removing two bodies, a day or two ago, the coffins were opened, when it was discovered that the remains were in an excellent state of preservation, the features of both, a man and woman, being so little affected that the relatives recognized them at once. The bodies had been buried about thirty years. What caused this result could not be ascertained, as other coffins, which had been lying within a few feet of these two, were also opened, and nothing but bones were found. The removal of the bodies is still progressing." (March 8, 1860, p. 1)

SUBSEQUENT USE OF THE SITE

In 1860 a hat manufactory built two buildings on top of the property. In 1874 the hat manufactory added 4 more buildings for its use. In 1874–1875 Little Boys Court, a cobblestone lane, was created as an extension of Mickles Court. In 1962 to 1965 all the industrial buildings were demolished and the site was covered by a parking lot.

In 1899 the church building was demolished, due to pressure from the commercialization and development around Broad Street and City Hall.

2016 CONSTRUCTION UNCOVERS CEMETERY REMAINS

In 2016 construction of a new apartment building at 218 Arch Street uncovered skeletal remains. As construction continued into 2017, more remains were found, and the developer hired a professional archaeology firm to remove buried remains in the footprint of the new building. Philadelphia Orphans Court gave permission for a team at Rutgers University Camden to study and analyze the remains. With a rush for time, needed help from volunteers assisted the recovery of the remains of nearly 500 individuals.

SECTION 112, MOUNT MORIAH

Remains from the Arch Street excavations were to be reburied at Mount Moriah Cemetery in 2023 in Section 112, the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia plot where they were intended to go in 1860. All of Section 112 is the property of the First Baptist Church. A list has been made of the headstones transferred there in 1860.

The Arch Street reburials had not occurred by late July 2024.

THE ARCH STREET PROJECT

Through "The Arch Street Project", led by Rutgers University-Camden, the College of New Jersey, and the Mütter Research Institute, the co-mingled bones of the 500+ individuals recovered have been studied and recorded. An overview of the project is available in an episode of their 2022 UnTour Philadelphia recording. The diversity of buried individuals, from many faiths and backgrounds, has provided an unusual opportunity for researching and recording history.

Some burials were stacked on top of each other. Most of the wooden coffins were simple, some with unique handles, which helped date many of the burials to 1720s to 1790s.

Identified remains from the 2016-2017 recovery dig:

1. Benjamin Briton, a baker and slave owner who died aged 78 in 1782
2. Israel Morris
3. Sarah Rogers, aged 3 years

The First Baptist Church still exists, with a smaller congregation.