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First Presbyterian of Carlisle protects historic cemetery |
One acre graveyard holds tombs of Revolutionary War soldiers |
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Rev. Jon Black and Nancy Tritt point to a tombstone dated 1744 in the church's historic cemetery. |
This past spring congregation members began working in a small, old, rugged cemetery where the original one-room First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle PA once stood. Slowly they cleared a foot or more of leaves and brush that had accumulated from years of neglect. Pastor Jon Black who was working alongside his members said, "You couldn't even see the wall" in one corner.
The one acre cemetery holds tombs of at least 15 Revolutionary War soldiers, 3 Civil War soldiers, and 1 soldier from the War of 1812, reports Nancy Tritt, chair of the restoration committee. |
Special interest in the cemetery was taken as plans to commemorate the church's 275th anniversary in 2009 began. "This is really a part of our heritage and as a community...we said, "Let's do it", says Rev. Black. In addition to repairing the cemetery, the Church's goal is to get it on the National Historic Register. Archaeologists have visited the site and have agreed where the church's log building stood and were impressed that the foot stones to many of the tombstones are still in place.
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Many hours of research and labor have already been given to this tiny landmark, located down an unpaved road, surrounded by farmland. To read the complete story and the plans that First Presbyterian Church has for their cemetery, click on the article below. |
Chair Nancy Tritt (right) holds photo of the church's cemetery as it once looked. |
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| Complete article in The Sentinel |
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