Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Episcopal Burying Ground and Chapel (Lexington, Kentucky)

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Built
  
1832, 1867

Area
  
8,094 m²

Added to NRHP
  
24 June 1976

NRHP Reference #
  
76000869

Architectural style
  
Carpenter Gothic

Episcopal Burying Ground and Chapel (Lexington, Kentucky) httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Location
  
251 East 3rd Street Lexington, Kentucky

Similar
  
First African Baptist C, Christ Church Cathedral, Living Arts & Science Center Inc, Kentucky State Capitol, The Red Mile

The Episcopal Burying Ground and Chapel (also known as the Old Episcopal Burying Ground (OEBG)) is located at 251 East Third Street, in Lexington, Kentucky. The land was purchased in 1832 by Christ Church as a burial ground for its parishioners. The cemetery became extremely important during the 1833 cholera epidemic, during which one third of the congregation died.

Contents

The burial ground also contains a small chapel that was built around 1867 and is thought to have been designed by notable Lexington architect John McMurtry. The small Carpenter Gothic chapel later became a sexton's cottage. On June 24, 1976, the burying ground and former chapel were added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The only person of color buried in the OEBG, is Rev. London Ferrill, a former slave who came to Kentucky in 1811 after the death of his owner. In 1821, he was ordained by the Elkhorn Baptist Association. Rev. Ferrell ministered to the black population of Lexington at the First African Church, now the First African Baptist Church. It was founded by Rev. Peter Durrett, also known as "Uncle Peter" and "Old Captain", a slave of Rev. Joseph Craig, who came to Kentucky with the Baptist members of The Travelling Church from Upper Spotsylvania, Virginia in 1781.

National Register listing

  • Episcopal Burying Ground and Chapel ** (added 1976 - Site - #76000869)
  • Also known as Old Episcopal Burying Ground and Chapel
  • 251 E. 3rd St., Lexington
  • Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
  • Architect, builder, or engineer: Wilgus,G.D.
  • Architectural Style: Other, Gothic Revival
  • Area of Significance: Architecture, Social History, Religion, Art
  • Period of Significance: 1825-1849, 1850–1874
  • Owner: Private
  • Historic Function: Funerary, Religion
  • Historic Sub-function: Cemetery, Religious Structure
  • Current Function: Domestic, Funerary
  • Current Sub-function: Cemetery, Single Dwelling
  • Current status

    The cemetery is not regularly open to the public but private tours can be given by appointment by calling 859-254-2948.

    References

    Episcopal Burying Ground and Chapel (Lexington, Kentucky) Wikipedia