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First Church of the Covenanters Burial Ground

Also known as First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Burial Ground, First Reformed Presbyterian Burial Ground, First Associate Methodist Episcopal Burial Ground

Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA

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  • Get directions 1025-27 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, United States
    Coordinates: 39.95477, -75.15707
  • This cemetery is marked as being historical or removed.
  • No longer accepting burials
  • Cemetery ID:

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The First Associate Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in March 15, 1829, at the home of the Rev. Dr. Thomas Dunn. The church was incorporated on January 12, 1832, and on January 31, 1832, a group of trustees purchased a lot of ground on the north side of Cherry Street, between 10th and 11th Streets "to be used for erecting a brick meeting house and for a grave yard." Shortly thereafter, the ground was conveyed to a trustee to secure the debt incurred. Pursuant to that deed of trust, the church was sold at public sale on June 12, 1833, where it was purchased by the First Church of the Covenanters.

The First Church of the Covenanters, also known as the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, had been organized in 1833. They would worship for 34 years in the church they had purchased on Cherry Street. The church became a hub of temperance and anti-slavery movements, featuring speakers such as William Lloyd Garrison, and they were likely the first to establish the burial ground on the church grounds.

In 1867 the building was sold to the First Colored Baptist Church (also known as the Cherry Street Baptist Church) and it was likely then that remains from the burial ground were removed. However, in 1923, after demolition of the old church and during construction of a commercial building on the site, workers digging the foundation uncovered skulls and other bones from interments that had been missed.

The site is still a commercial building today.

The First Associate Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in March 15, 1829, at the home of the Rev. Dr. Thomas Dunn. The church was incorporated on January 12, 1832, and on January 31, 1832, a group of trustees purchased a lot of ground on the north side of Cherry Street, between 10th and 11th Streets "to be used for erecting a brick meeting house and for a grave yard." Shortly thereafter, the ground was conveyed to a trustee to secure the debt incurred. Pursuant to that deed of trust, the church was sold at public sale on June 12, 1833, where it was purchased by the First Church of the Covenanters.

The First Church of the Covenanters, also known as the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, had been organized in 1833. They would worship for 34 years in the church they had purchased on Cherry Street. The church became a hub of temperance and anti-slavery movements, featuring speakers such as William Lloyd Garrison, and they were likely the first to establish the burial ground on the church grounds.

In 1867 the building was sold to the First Colored Baptist Church (also known as the Cherry Street Baptist Church) and it was likely then that remains from the burial ground were removed. However, in 1923, after demolition of the old church and during construction of a commercial building on the site, workers digging the foundation uncovered skulls and other bones from interments that had been missed.

The site is still a commercial building today.

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  • Added: 16 Mar 2025
  • Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 2824871