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The Bridesburg Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia held its last service on October 15, 2017, according to its Facebook page. In 2017, one of their websites mentioned that the church was struggling. Somebody is maintaining the cemetery though.
All Saints Roman Catholic Church in the Bridesburg section of Philadelphia closed in 2013. Signage around their cemetery communicates that visitors are not welcome.
St. Joachim Roman Catholic Church permanently closed in 2013. Their cemetery was inaccessible during my visit. The best I could do was lift my camera above my head and shoot photos through the fence. It turns out the cemetery grounds are well-maintained…
Frankford Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia has an old cemetery in their back lot. Access to it is difficult, since it is completely fenced in. The grounds back there are maintained at a low standard, from what I observed.
St. Michael’s Church in the West Kensington section of Philadelphia is where the city’s first catholic cemetery was established. Today, that cemetery is not well maintained and access is restricted.
Old St. Mary Cemetery is just blocks from Independence Hall. This cemetery has been in existence since before the Declaration of Independence was signed. It’s an interesting walk and an interesting neighborhood.
Fair Hill Burial Ground is a 5 acre Quaker cemetery that is more than 300 years old. It looks quite nice, but I couldn’t get inside, since it was locked-up. I felt very uncomfortable to be carrying a $5500 camera in this North Philadelphia neighborhood, alone. I got in and got out - quickly.
The Sisters of Saint Joseph Cemetery is a fine little cemetery located towards the rear of the Chestnut Hill College campus. A trickling fountain contributes to a pleasant, peaceful, serene environment.
The grounds at Roxborough Church Cemetery in Philadelphia were overdue for a mowing during my visit. Though the cemetery appears full, I did see a recent burial there.
Mikveh Israel Cemetery #3 is located in an area of Philadelphia that feels a little risky. Access to this location is easy with the elevated train being right there. Though the gates to the cemetery are going to be locked unless you get lucky or made prior arrangements.
Byberry Friends Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has a really old, well-cared-for cemetery. Burials date back to the late 1600’s.
The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth Cemetery is located at Holy Family University in Philadelphia. It’s a private cemetery and it’s obvious you need to have very particular qualifications to be buried here.
The Trinity Episcopal Church building, located on a 3 acre property in the Oxford section of Philadelphia, dates back to 1711. The cemetery in the surrounding churchyard is similarly old.
The Federal Street Burial Ground, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also known as Mikveh Israel Cemetery #2, was established in 1849. People wanting to visit graves here will need to contact the Mikveh Israel church to arrange access, because these gates are kept locked.
Christ Episcopal Church Yard in the Old City section of Philadelphia is the original burial ground of the church. Construction of the church began around 1727, so the graves here are old.
Christ Church Cemetery at 5th & Arch Streets in Philadelphia is 2 acres in size and was established in 1719. Ben Franklin, the guy on the $100 bill, is buried here.
Location is close to the Constitution Center, Independence Visitors Center, and the U.S. Mint.
Staff members say on good days a few hundred people visit these grounds. It costs money to enter...
Holy Trinity Church Cemetery in Philadelphia once had the remains of Stephen Girard, the well-known banker. He was buried here in 1831, though his remains were later moved.
Access to this cemetery is limited.
Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church Cemetery in the Society Hill section of Philadelphia is very neatly kept. There is no burial space left, of course. Burials began in 1764. The cemetery was considered full by the year 1800 with bodies buried three deep, some even 4 deep. Four to five thousand people are buried here…
St. Peter's Church Yard, located in the Old City or Society Hill section of Philadelphia, is an ancient burial ground that dates back to colonial times. (First burial was in 1760.)
The cemetery is open from 8:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m., and until 7:00 p.m. during summer months.
Old Swedes Cemetery in Philadelphia is located along Columbus Boulevard at Christian Street, though the official address is 916 S. Swanson Street.
The church is considered the oldest in Pennsylvania. It was built in 1698 by early Swedish settlers and is a national historic site overseen by the National Park Service.
Visitors are welcome.
