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Maryland Historical Society
Library of Maryland History
201 W. Monument Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-685-3750
Fax: 410-385-2105
E-mail: library @mdhs.org
Buy the Book
Maryland
History In Prints: 1752-1900
by Laura Rice |
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Westminster Presbyterian Church, Corner Fayette and Greene Streets,
Baltimore
E. Sachse & Co.,
Baltimore, ca. 1857
Lithograph, printed in colors
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In 1852, Baltimore's government ordered the removal of all burials within
city limits not on land connected to a church building to areas outside
city limits. The reasons cited included health and sanitary concerns,
but the move was also a response to the growing demand for land needed
to house a growing population. Westminster Presbyterian Church was
organized that year to preserve the old Western Burial Ground. Laid
out in 1786, the cemetery was the final resting place of many notable Baltimoreans
including James McHenry, Generals Samuel Smith and John Stricker, and merchants
Robert Purviance, William Buchanan, and David Stewart. The cemetery also
holds the remains of poet and essayist Edgar Allan Poe.
The church building was completed in 1852 on arches constructed directly
over the burial ground, creating the catacombs below. One corner of the
structure lies on the tomb of Paul Bentalou. The smaller building
to the left, finished in 1857, housed the Sunday school and lecture rooms.
In 1977, the church was desanctified and is now in use as a concert,
dance, and lecture hall.
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