Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site ⓘ

With gravestones dating to 1704, the cemetery at St. Paul's Church National Historic Site is one of the oldest, continuously used burial yards in the nation. It evolved from a colonial burial ground serving the entire community to a church cemetery characterized by private family plots. The 5-acre yard contains a stunning variety of stones, religious and secular imagery, carving styles, epitaphs and even burial chambers. The appearance of the cemetery has been influenced by changes in religious beliefs and wealth, the development of stone carving as a profession and such broad cultural trends as the classical revival of the early 19th century. The yard reveals a remarkable story of continuity and change in attitudes toward death and salvation over a period of 300 years. Images of many of the gravestones are available here.

The oldest legible gravestone at St. Paul's, for Richard Shute, who died on December 14, 1704.The origins of the St. Paul's cemetery were determined by the background and customs of the residents of the Town of Eastchester, which was founded by English settlers in the 1660's. Burials began around 1700 in the northwestern corner of the site, shortly after the completion of the town's first church, following the English tradition of the churchyard as burial ground. Before that, interment had usually occurred on family property. In a small, locally oriented town, grave markers were simple fieldstone, drawn from the fields of Westchester County. The population was small enough that initials were sufficient to identify the deceased and greater emphasis was given to recording the date of death, at a time when there were no death certificates. To chisel the simple inscriptions, the family hired the local blacksmith, who was skilled in the use of hand tools, but certainly not a professional carver, which was an additional reason for the minimal characters on a stone. Markers were austere and lacked imagery, because Eastchester's residents, raised in the Puritan tradition, feared that spiritual depictions would lead to idolatry, the worship of physical objects as gods.

The earliest symbolism on gravestones at St. Paul's dates to the 1750's and takes two general forms. One is the heart, generally understood to have symbolized God's love, and the other is a star-like design or pinwheel, which probably represented heaven, or all things under heaven. These emblems were the first steps away from Puritan beliefs that prohibited any form of religious iconography.

Both of these designs also appeared on 18th century furniture, clothing and everyday objects such as footwarmers, where they had an artistic as well as a symbolic function. The stones on which these designs appeared usually consisted of low-grade marble, worked into tripartite shapes. The designs appeared either in tympanum -- the arched middle section -- or on the side finials.

The soul effigy on this sandstone marker for Elezebeth Clements, who died in 1762, was chiseled by John Zuricher, a leading colonial gravestone carver in New York. In the second half of the 18th century, the town's Protestant residents introduced tombstone symbolism that revealed attitudes toward death and salvation. The haunting skull and crossbones, reminding observers of their mortality, served as admonishments to improve moral behavior before it was too late. The beautiful cherub or soul effigy reflected a more positive view of the chances for salvation, with the winged angel, crowned with righteousness, representing the soul of the deceased rising to heaven. Epitaphs or short poems enhanced these themes. An array of social and economic changes contributed to this alteration in the appearance of the St. Paul's churchyard. Greater wealth among some of the families and increased commercial contact in the Hudson Valley led to the introduction of sandstone grave markers, drawn from quarries in New Jersey or Connecticut. Orders for the stones were forwarded to skilled carvers living in New York City or New Haven, using the Post Road connection, and finished grave markers were transported to Eastchester by boat. Many of those stones included the tripartite top -- similar to the headboard of a bed -- which represented the final resting place of the deceased.

This gravestone shows the calligraphic 'In' and letters in relief, popular features on "In Memory of" stones. By the end of the 18th century, as the use of the cherub-like soul effigy declined, a new form of gravestone emerged that emphasized calligraphy over iconography. These stones, which were both sandstone and marble, evoked the memory of the deceased rather than simply marking a grave site. Inscriptions began with the words, "In Memory of," or "Sacred to the Memory of." Though lacking pictorial elements, the In Memory of stones had a decorative element achieved through the carving of a Gothic "In" or of letters in relief, the combination of capitals and small letters, and the use of script, italics or different type faces. The stones generally displayed epitaphs, as wordy as survivors could afford, and it is in these verses that religious sentiments continued to be expressed. All of the "In Memory of" stones are thin-slab markers for single graves, or occasionally for the husband and wife. In other ways they reflect the economic circumstances of the deceased. The calligraphic phase of tombstone design was gradually eclipsed by the classical revival, which began in the early 1800's.

The urn and willow are both featured on this 19th century marble gravestone. In the early 1880's, a classical revival which evoked the great ancient republics of Greece, and especially Rome, swept across the United States, the leading republic of the day. Furniture, architecture, decorative arts and even gravestones were influenced by this revival. Marble, the building material of the ancient republics, became the stone of choice for grave markers, often drawn from quarries in nearby Tuckahoe. The imagery on the stones reflected this neo-classicism, particularly the urn, a symbol of death and mourning in the ancient world when cremation was common. Other iconographic elements of this pattern were the willow tree, a traditional symbol of grief in Europe, and the obelisk, which was used in both Rome and ancient Egypt. The emphasis also shifted from the deceased -- represented by the soul effigy -- to the bereaved family, with some stones depicting classically dressed figures in mourning, leaning against urns.

Though it remained a traditional churchyard, St. Paul's was also affected by an important mid-19th century evolution called the rural cemetery movement. The rural cemetery, located just beyond the city, was a response to overcrowding of church burial yards in large cities of the northeast. Fences, such as the one seen in the lower right corner of the image, enclosed family plots as part of the rural cemetery movement. Inspired by romantic understanding of nature and art, as well as the melancholy theme of death, planners drew upon these themes to innovate burial ground design in England and France. These new cemeteries were supported through sales of private family plots which were carefully landscaped to create a picturesque setting in harmony with nature. Visitors were encouraged to stroll and picnic in these park-like settings. Some the earliest examples were Mt. Auburn, which opened outside Boston in 1831, and Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, which was incorporated in 1838.

A chief characteristic of the rural cemetery movement was the family tomb or the family plot, enclosed with decorative gates or fences. The wealth and status of the family could be declared more clearly in a private plot, and it is in this regard that St. Paul's took on characteristics of the rural cemetery movement. The first family tomb at St. Paul's was built in 1828 by the Drakes, prominent residents and one of the town's founding families in the 1660's. A row of underground family vaults was established around the time of the Civil War, and a series of enclosed family plots was developed toward the back of the yard by the late 19th century. A common feature of these plots is a large central monument -- usually an obelisk -- representing the unity and continuity of the family, with smaller individual stones for the deceased.

This tombstone for an infant is the only piece of detached sculpture in the St. Paul's cemetery. Early America was plagued by high rates of infant mortality, caused by contagious disease, sporadic food shortages, epidemics, and lack of medicines. The poignancy of the burial stones for young children in St. Paul's cemetery reflects the strong attachment of parents to their sons and daughters, even when early death was common. In the 18th century, parental affection was expressed in the choice of a rare type of stone (slate) an unusually shaped stone (two tablets for two children) and the special delicacy of a border design. In the more sentimental Victorian era, these sentiments are revealed in carvings of tiny blossoms and branches, figures of lambs or sleeping children, and in one case, a fully sculpted infant sleeping on a pillow. Poignant words chiseled into the stones created moving epitaphs that represent the grief of families who lost young children, but also the comfort they found in religious faith.

This marble bench gravestone for landscape painter Edward Gay is one of the more unusual memorials in the cemetery. Greater individual membership in voluntary associations and increased wealth among certain family members had an important impact on gravestones at St. Paul's beginning in the mid-19th century. The Masonic symbol of the compass and T-square, with the G standing for God, is a fine example of this recognition of individual achievement or association. The Masonic emblem is carved into dozens of gravestones across the cemetery erected from the mid-19th to the 20th centuries. The Masons were an enormously influential group in 19th century America, and many of the nation's political and business leaders were Masons. Other symbols on tombstones reflected members in a variety of organizations that had special meaning to the deceased. Professional calling and talents such a medicine and art, were also memorialized. Crests and the introduction of very large monuments helped to emphasize a family's wealth and prominence.

This late 19th century marble monument features the Rustic Celtic cross, reflecting the introduction of traditional Christian symbolism in the cemetery. An ecumenical movement called the Oxford movement, or sometimes Anglo-Catholicism, caused changes in the Episcopal Church by the late 19th century, transforming the appearance of the St. Paul's graveyard. The movement, which sought to re-establish continuing between the Episcopal Church and medieval Christianity, led to a greater emphasis on ritual and mysticism. In the cemetery, this generated the more frequent employment of such Christian symbols as the cross, the angel and the lamb. An additional result of this movement was a change in the architecture of St. Paul's Church. When the belfry was rebuilt in 1887, the old weather vane at the top was replaced with a cross.

A Trophy of Arms is chiseled into the top of this sandstone marker for Samuel T. Pell, an officer in the Continental army. St. Paul's is the final resting place of soldiers who fought in every war in American history from colonial times through World War II, mostly men who lived through the armed conflicts and died later as civilians. In the 5-acre space are interred men who, collectively, led the town militia in the 1720's, joined in the defeat the British at Yorktown in 1781, repaired ships during the Mexican-American War, withstood the Confederates' onslaught at Gettysburg in 1863, battled the Spanish on the island of Cuba in 1898, pushed back the German army on the Western front in the final days of World War I, and served on battleships in the Pacific Theater in World War II.

These veterans, or their families, wanted posterity to recall their sacrifices, and many received government stones recording information about their service which are posted all across the burial yard at St. Paul's. The government financed burial stone originated after the Civil War, as part of the social responsibility of the Union to the veterans. The markers were originally available only for men killed in battle and buried in national cemeteries, but the government stone was extended to all veterans by an act of Congress in 1879. That law led to the introduction of the marble veterans' stone in private cemeteries, such as St. Paul's. The program was administered through the veterans' office of the War Department. Specifications for the stones were established nationally, but families of veterans contracted with local monument companies to create the burial stones. Government stones have remained an option for veterans since the Civil War, with periodic shifts in the style of the markers based on aesthetics and concerns about durability.

An acccount of the history, culture and legacy of the Lenape, native peoples of the St. Paul's vicinity

The famous Puritan rebel Anne Hutchinson, and particularly her brief residence near the location of St. Paul's Church in the early 1640s. A profile of Richard Shute, one of the original settlers of the town at St. Paul's whose 1704 burial marker is the earliest legible gravestone at the site Learn about the life and work of Rev. Thomas Standard, the controversial, long-serving colonial era minister at St. Paul's, who is buried beneath the church. He remains a source of local legends and ghost stories

Explore the life, work and political activities of the Rev. Samuel Seabury, a controversial clergyman and leading Loyalist in New York who served as the Anglican minister of St. Paul's during the crucial era of the American Revolution A chronicle of the life and military duties of Frederick Stevenson, who was an officer in a New York militia regiment during the Revoluitonary War, including service at the crucial Battle of White Plains in October 1776. He died in 1820, followed by burial at St. Paul's. The life and military experience of Charles Turnbull, a Continental Army artillery officer buried at St. Paul's. An exploration of the lives of Nathaniel and Hannah Franklin, who were born into slavery in the 1750s, and were both manumitted in 1824, living the last few years of their long lives in freedom, followed by burial at St. Paul's . The tale of the Ward family of the St. Paul's neighborhood, and the different sides chosen by two brothers in the Revolutionary War, which made all the difference in their fortunes and circumstance of life. An exploration of the lives and careers of two doctors in the American army during the Revolutionary War who directed a field hospital at St. Paul's Church in 1776. Theodosius Fowler: Continental Army Soldier, Successful Merchant in Early America, buried at St. Paul's An account of the life and military service of John Glover, who served as an officer in the American army during the Revolutionary War, and led the Patriot forces at the Battle of Pell's Point, fought near St. Paul's Church in October 1776 A brief explanation of the likely identity of some of the Hessian (German) troops who fought with British in the Revolutionary War, and died at St. Paul's in 1776, followed by burial at the back of the chuardyard Samuel Treadwell Pell , a Continental Army officer, who fought at the Battles of Saratoga & Yorktown, and is buried at St. Paul's

An account of the life and public career of Philip Pell, who held military and political leadership positions in the American Revolution, and served as the last member of the Continental Congress. He is buried at St. Paul's. Learn about the life and pivotal role of Stephen Ward, who provided tremendous continuity of leadership for the St. Paul's community from colonial times to the period of the early republic. A profile of the life of William Pinckney, a militia officer during the Revolutionary War, whose family history reflects the complicated allegiances of residents of the St. Paul's area during those tumultous years. He is buried at St. Paul's A chronicle of the strange but true story of the life and work of Rev. John Milner, who was the Church of England rector of St. Paul's when construction of the extant stone church began in 1763. Read about the life and work of the Rev. John Bartow, who faced interesting and complex religious, political and community challenges in his colonial era ministry as the first Anglican rector of the parish of St. Paul's Church.

An exploration of the historical significance and religious importance of four wooden tablets installed at St. Paul's in 1848. They remain on display at the church. An account of the long and circuitous route of an oak chair -- assembled in England in the 17th century -- to St. Paul's Church, in the early 20th century, illiminating themes of religion, business, family and women in American history. Read about the the story of history, commemoration and religion behind a pair of wooden models of St. Paul's constructed in 1865. They remain on display at the church.

Explore the interesting story of the journey of a 19th century religious lamp from a synagogue in Germany to St. Paul's Church, and the themes of freedom of the press, freedom of religion and the meaning of World War II that led to the donation of the lamp to the church in 1944. The Historic Erben Pipe Organ at St. Paul's -- one of the nation's oldest working pipe organs Explore the history and changing understanding of the significance of the historic church bell at St. Paul's, which was cast in 1758, at the same London foundry as the famed Liberty Bell. Tablet Recalls Sara D. Roosevelt’s Contribution to the Restoration of St. Paul’s Church

An End and a Beginning: St. Paul's, from Church to National Park site . Learn about the interesting story behind the transition of St. Paul's from a functioning church to a unit of the Park Service in 1980. An account of the struggles to sustain religious practices in the early years of the St. Paul's parish -- a small community, lacking resources, operating on the edge of colonial settlement -- in the 1600s. A chronicle of the story behind a small bronze plaque installed at St. Paul's in 1950 that commemorates the Underhills, a prominent local family, among the earliest colonial settlers of the area. Explore the story of history and historical understanding behind a plaque that was installed in 1952 designating St. Paul's as a national historic site.

A profile of the inspring story of the life of Benjamin Turner , patriarch of an African American family that lived for three generations, from slavery to freedom, near St. Paul's Church.

Read about the life and work of William S. Coffey , who presided over vast religious and structural changes as the rector of St. Paul's Church from 1852 to 1909. Explore the interesting and significant story of the life and work of Rev. William H. Weigle , rector of the church from 1929-49 who played the major role in developing St. Paul's as a historic site. Born during the American Revolution, Rebecca Turner’s life in the shadows of St. Paul’s Church illustrates a local journey from slavery to freedom, the continuity of African American life in the vicinity, and the heartening story of a remarkable woman’s efforts to sustain herself and family for nearly a century. An examination of the life and struggles of Sarah E. Nelson , who in the 1930s was the last heir of land, located in the shadows of St. Paul's Church, that her family had possessed, from slavery to freedom, since the early 19th century. Read about the story of a New York State Trooper, Theodore Dobbs, who was killed in the line of duty in 1924, and is buried at St. Paul's. By chance, St. Paul's staff learned about Trooper Dobbs' story in July 2023. He was one of the first State Police offers who died on duty in New York.

A profile of the life and military service of Morris Link , who served with the legendary Harlem Hellfighters in World War I. Corporal Link was killed in action in France in 1918, and is buried at St. Paul's. Learn about Sophie Mee, 'A Splendid Teacher,' whose life and work shed light on the history of women and education in America in the period from the Civil War to World War I.

An exploration of the life and work of Edward Gay , a prominent landscape painter in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who is buried at St. Paul's. A chronicle of the life and work of Minnie Dupree , who held leading roles in Broadway plays for 50 years, from the 1890s through the 1940s, and also appeared in several films. Her story helps to illuminate the history of women and the theater in America. Ms. Dupree is buried at St. Paul's. An account of the life and career of Mary E. Gedney , a successful businesswoman and leader of women's voluntary organizations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, whose burial at St. Paul's is marked by a large, three-tiered granite monument. Read about the story of Alfred H. Duncombe , a 19th century millionaire manufacturer buried at St. Paul's, whose vast estate was the subject of a major battle among his family members. Explore the interesting story of the lives and military service records of John and Ramsey Flynn , who served in the American Expeditionary Force in the First World War. Both of the brothers are buried at St. Paul's. Profiles of the lives and service of two soldiers -- one who survived, and one who didn't -- of the American Army in the First World War, and are buried at st. Paul's. The First World War and St. Paul's Church Immigration, Tragedy, Military Service & Mobility: The Story of an American Family Buried at St. Paul's

Increasing industrialization of the area around St. Paul's Church in the early 20th century led to the decline of the parish. In 1942, as part of an effort to revitalize the congregation and draw attention to the site's historical significance, the interior of the church was restored to its 18th century appearance, based on the original pew plan of 1787. A committee chaired by Sara Delano Roosevelt, mother of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, raised funds for the project.

While the restoration initially succeeded in reviving the congregation, by the 1970s the parish had dwindled to only a handful of worshippers. The last regular Sunday service at St. Paul's occurred in May 1977. In 1980, the site was transferred from the Episcopal Dioceses of New York to the National Park Service. The site opened to the public in 1984 and is operated under a cooperative agreement with the Society of the National Shrine of the Bill of Rights at Saint Paul's Church, Eastchester.