.gif)
Episcopal Burying Ground and Chapel (Lexington, Kentucky)
Encyclopedia
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.
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 Ferrell
, 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 Uncle Peter, also known as "Old Captain", a slave of Rev. Joseph Craig, who came to Kentucky with the Baptist members of The Traveling Church from Upper Spotsylvania, Virginia in 1781.
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
. The land was purchased in 1832 by Christ Church
Christ Church Cathedral (Lexington, Kentucky)
Christ Church Cathedral is the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington and is located at 166 Market Street, Lexington, Kentucky. Founded in 1796, Christ Church Cathedral is the oldest Episcopal church in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Rev...
as a burial ground for its parishioners. The cemetery became extremely important during the 1833 cholera
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
epidemic, during which one third of the congregation died.
The burial ground also contains a small chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
that was built around 1867 and is thought to have been designed by notable Lexington architect John McMurtry
John McMurtry (architect)
John McMurtry was an 19th century American builder and architect who worked in Lexington, Kentucky designing a number of notable buildings, several of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
. The small Carpenter Gothic
Carpenter Gothic
Carpenter Gothic, also sometimes called Carpenter's Gothic, and Rural Gothic, is a North American architectural style-designation for an application of Gothic Revival architectural detailing and picturesque massing applied to wooden structures built by house-carpenters...
chapel later became a sexton's
Sexton (office)
A sexton is a church, congregation or synagogue officer charged with the maintenance of its buildings and/or the surrounding graveyard. In smaller places of worship, this office is often combined with that of verger...
cottage. On June 24, 1976, the burying ground and former chapel were added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
The only person of color buried in the OEBG, is Rev. London Ferrell
London Ferrell
Rev. London Ferrell was born a slave in Hanover County, Virginia. He came to Kentucky in 1811, after the death of his owner. He was ordained in 1821 by the Elkhorn Baptist Association. Rev. Ferrell ministered to the black population of Lexington, he was placed over the First African Church.In 1833,...
, 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 Uncle Peter, also known as "Old Captain", a slave of Rev. Joseph Craig, who came to Kentucky with the Baptist members of The Traveling 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.See also
- List of Registered Historic Places in Kentucky (Fayette County to Hopkins County)