Perspectives

Philadelphia Area Cemeteries - Old Crispin Burial Ground

2011-12-29T07:58:00.001-05:00

Old Crispin Burial Ground
aka: Old Crispin Cemetery; Holme-Crispin Cemetery; Holme Family Ground.

This is a small Family Burial Ground on the northwest side of Holme Ave., just south of Holme Circle in Northeast Philadelphia.
Laid out in 1694 by Thomas Holme, Surveyor General of the City of Philadelphia, this 300 + year old cemetery is approximately 150' x 140' or about 1 acre in size. It was laid out for the use as a burial ground for Holme and his descendants.
Holme died in 1695 and is buried here, along with various members of the Crispin, Walker & other local Family members as well as some relatives of William Penn.
There is over 100 burials in this ground, however, very few of them have markers.
Surrounded by an 8' iron fence, the site is the 1st Historical Site in Northeast Philadelphia.

Historical Marker that is on Holme Ave

George Henry WALKER

The last person buried in this ground, Mrs. Rachel POLK, was in 1863

Monument erected in Memory of Thomas Holme.

Close-up of monument

This type of headstone is typicla of Quakers.

View of the cemetery

Wider view of the cemetery

Philadelphia Area Cemetery - Holy Redeemer Cemetery

2011-12-10T07:47:00.001-05:00

Holy Redeemer Cemetery - aka: Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery - is the Parish Cemetery for St. Peter the Apostles Roman Catholic Church, located at 5th Street & Girard Ave. The Cemetery is located on Richmond St. in the Bridesburg neighborhood of The City of Philadelphia.

Established in 1886, the cemetery takes up six city blocks on the west side of Richmond St. and runs west back to I-95. It also has five city streets that runs through it : Salmon, Edgemont, Thompson, Almond & Belgrade Sts.

This is the cemetery that started my interest in photographing cemeteries. It is one of the cemeteries that I visit most often since most of my PAUL - KAELIN ancestors are buried here.

There is also a plot set aside for the German Redemptrous Order of Priest. This Order, I believe (?), is the Order that founded St. Peter the Apostle Church.

One of the many Angels that top the graves in this cemetery.

This Angel sits atop the BLOECHLINGER grave.

This is my absolute favorite Angel in the entire Cemetery.

She/He sits atop a grave of a Polish Family.

Unfortunately, I cannot figure out what the surname is.

The same Angel again in the snow.

I think this Little Angel is adorable.

KORYTHIEWICZ Grave

This is a gorgeous cross. It has some very intricate carvings in it.

This is one of my family graves.

The FOX family married into my PAUL family.

HERGET

Hergets are from my PAUL-FOX Family ties.

Charles Herget was a German Redemptrous Priest.

He is buried in The German Redemptrous Priest Plot within the cemetery.

KAELIN

My Greatgrandparents, my Grandfather, & my Great Aunt & Uncle & cousin.

Martin J. KAELIN and Marie K. PAUL are my Grandparents.

Marie is also buried in this cemetery with her parents.

This cross sits on top of the headstone on the KOZUHOWSKI grave.

LEINS

Another family grave. One of two LEINS graves in this cemetery. Leins married into my PAUL family.

The photo does not do this gravesite justice. The colors on this stone really stand out against the black granite.

LUPINSKI - BUOKA

Another family member.

McGUIRE's married into my KAHANA side of the family.

The Hawaiian KAHANA's are my Mother's Family.

MOOSEBRUGGER

Another MOOSEBRUGGER gravesite.

I found this headstone interesting. I just had an old Victorian feel to it.

OLEJKOWSKI

The swirls in this headstone remind me of marble.

Sacred Heart.

SCHONBACHLER

One of the names that are associated with my KAELIN family.

I am not sure if this is one of my ancestors.

SCHUTE

WAWRZYNIAK

Philadelphia Area Cemeteries - All Saints Episcopal Churchyard

2011-08-18T09:15:00.000-04:00

All Saints Episcopal Church is one of the older churches in the Torredale neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia. The church was established in 1772. I do not know when the cemetery was founded, but there are several tombstones dating back to the early 1800s and many more that are obscured by time and exposure to the elements. The cemetery is small and very well maintained.
There are several names that people who live in Northeast Philadelphia may recognize as the names of our streets. Names like Ashton - Ashton Rd., Crispin - Crispin St., and Morrell - Morrell Ave.

Ashton

Crispin-Gibbs Family

If I remember my history correctly, I believe that the Crispin Family, were related by marriage to Thomas Holme and his family. Thomas Holme was the first Surveyor General of Philadelphia.

Ellen Gibbs

wife of George

Marie Louise Sayre

daughter of

George and Ellen Gibbs

Charles Crispin

Mary Virginia

Elizabeth E.

wife of C.H. Crispin

and daughter of

George and Ellen Gibbs

George Gibbs

These stones are behing the Crispin-Gibbs row of stones.

I am not sure if they are part of the Family graves.

They only have initials on them:

G.S.G.

E.E.G.

M.L.S.

G.G.S.

M.V.S.

Morrell Family

Biddle-Ward Family

There are quite a few Biddle's buried in this cemetery. This is a close-up of the above grave.

A beautifully carved vault.

Some broken headstones and sunken graves.

A view of the cemetery from the back.

Philadelphia Area Cemetery - St. Thomas Episcopal Church & Cemetery, Whitemarsh, PA.

2011-07-05T08:07:00.000-04:00

I visited Historic St. Thomas Episcopal Church Cemetery yesterday. I thought it a fitting way to spend Independence Day. St. Thomas has several Revolutionary War Burials.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church and Cemetery are located at the intersection of Bethlehem Pike, Church Road (Rt. 73), and Camp Hill Road, in Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County, PA. The overall views of the Church and surrounding grounds are breathtaking. The Church sits up an a hill with the cemetery surrounding it. The Cemetery itself sits on various levels of the hill with a winding driveway meandering through it. It is simply beautiful!

This is a photo I took several years ago. Unfortunately this photo does the site no justice, but you can see the varying levels of the cemetery. It is actually kinda tough too get a good picture of the overall Cemetery because it sits at a very busy intersection.

The St. Thomas Church started about 1690 as a small log cabin church. The Cemetery dates back to the early 1700s, and sits on approximately 10+ acres. There are about 3000+ burials and the Cemetery is still active. It is one of the oldest cemeteries in Montgomery County.

I decided to revisit St. Thomas because I wanted to get some photos of the Cemetery in the summer with the trees and other plants in full bloom. Unfortunately, the warm weather also bought out a hugh contingent of gnats, so I did not stay long.

Grave of David White

Graves of John Brant & Andrew Redheifer (foreground)

Grave of Edward Burk

Grave of Peter Chevers

I took other photos in this cemetery, but I thought it only fitting that I pay tribute to our Soldiers who are responsible for our Freedoms. The Soldiers of the Revolution,

Philadelphia Area Cemeteries - Holy Cross Roman Catholic Cemetery

2011-02-20T13:14:00.000-05:00

This cemetery is under the administration of The Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

I do not know the acreage of this cemetery but it is very big - I would say at least 100 acres.
It was founded in 1890.

I took these pictures over several visits to the cemetery.

This Angel stands above the ALEANDRO gravesite

The Madonna is standing alongside a stone that rests atop the ASPRINO gravesite

DORMER

GARRITY

NACHIO

Both of these Little Angels sit on the grave of the PANZULLO Family

These Little Girls appear to be the only two of three people buried in this grave.

SBICCA

The inscription reads:

"Our Babies"

Then it lists their names

This is carved into the stone of the GRABIAS grave.

I took ma close-up instead of the usual.

MURPHY

REALE

This sits atop the TUTKA grave on top of the usual headstone.

ZAPPARDINO

Another carving that is directly carved into the stone.

Laurel Hill in the Snow

2011-01-15T19:02:00.000-05:00

I have quite a few post about Laurel Hill, but I rarely get to see it in the snow.

Well, I got the chance to see it today. We spent a couple hours at the Cemetery this morning. My photo style changed a little here, I have more overall views than individual stones and statues.

Along the River

Looking up from the River

Another shot along the River

Henry Disston Mausoleum

Some headstones

Looking up from the River

Another Mausoleum

Millionnaire's Row

Another shot of Millionnaire's Row

Stairs leading up to another level in Millionnaire's Row

Obelisks

The River

A view across the street

Wisler Mausoleum

Philadelphia Area Cemeteries - Washington Crossing

2010-08-03T12:25:00.000-04:00

Included within the boundaries of Washington Crossing State Park in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, this tiny Cemetery is one of the many in this area dedicated to our Revolutionary War Soldiers.
This Cemetery is surrounded by a small stone walls and it sits along the banks of the Delaware River surrounded by evergreen trees.

The Thomas-Neely House (also within the Park) was used as a hospital during the wintr of 1776. It is unknown how many died there that winter, nor where their actual burial location was.

When the Delaware Canal was dug during the 1800s, many partial remains were found. This was also true with the many construction projects through the years. It is estimated that as many as 60 unknown soldiers are buried hroughout the Soldier's Graves area of the Park.

This is one of the Unknown Soldier's Graves from the site.

There are approximately two dozen graves here between the Delaware River and the Canal.

We were there in Febrary 2009, and the graves were still decorated. At first I thought they were still decorated for Christmas, but the more I thought about, maybe not.
All of them have this Revolutionary War Grave marker and a Flag. I think this and their location is why I believe the decorations were not just for Christmas.

New Jersey Area Cemeteries - Cold Springs Presbyterian Churchyard

2010-08-03T10:54:00.000-04:00

This smalll two-story Historic Church and it's surrounding Churchyard are located on Rt. 9 just outside of Cape May, New Jersey.

The current Church building dates from 1823 and is know as The Old Brick Church.

The Cemetery is much older, dating back to the 1700s.

The Church and Cemetery a National Historic Landmark.

The Cemetery occupies about 50 acres. The oldest section surrounds the Church building. The oldest marked grave is that of Sarah Eldridge Spicer who died in 1742

Phoenixville Area - Revolutionary Soldiers Graves

2010-08-03T09:12:00.000-04:00

This cemetery is a small plot of land dedicated to the 22 Unknown Soldiers who were killed in the nearby German Reformed Church in 1778.

The Cemetery is actually in East Vincent Township on Rt. 23 (Ridge Rd.) & Hill Church Rd., just west of Phoenixville.

This is the Dedication Plague. The other plaque seems to be dedicated to a Carl E. McIlroy. I am not sure who he is. I assume he may be one of the men buried here, but I have not checked into it. If anyone knows who he is, leave a comment to let me know.

Historical Landmark Plaque

A view of the Cemetery's surrounding stone wall.

A view looking staright into the Cemetery.

Philadelphia Area Cemeteries - Laurel Hill Revisited

2010-05-10T09:20:00.000-04:00

I spent Mother's Day in one of my favorite places: Laurel Hill Cemetery.

This is the country's second rural cemetery. It is a gorgeous Victorian Cemetery, with quite a lot of very ornate headstones, obelisks, mausoleums, and other cemetery structures.

These first three pictures show damage from the wind that we have been having here in Philadelphia. A huge limb from one of the many, many trees in Laurel Hill came down. However, the grounds keepers at the cemetery were right on top of it, the tree had already been cut in a few places and they were taking care of it.

Of course, we could not visit Laurel Hill without paying our respects to Harry Kalas. He is buried here along the Schuylkill River.

This photo is of a stairway leading up from the River. It leads up three levels to various mausoleums and graves.

This is one of the rows of mausoleums that overlook the River.

This appears to be a solid copper door to one of the mausoleums. It has a lovely patina and an ornate Celtic Cross engraved in it.

One of the many views. This shot is taken from one of the lower levels looking up.

This obelisk is on the other side of the wind damage shown above. It was completely unscathed.

This photo was taken near the grave of Gen. George Meade. If you click on the photo to enlargen it, you will see deer running through the graves.

These crosses are all lined up along an iron fence surroundingthe family plot that is behind them.

Philadelphia Area Cemeteries: Northwood Cemetery

2010-02-04T13:07:00.000-05:00

Northwood Cemetery was established 132 years ago in 1878.

It is st 15th St. and Haines Ave in the West Oak Lane neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Although the cemetery is not in the best o shape - some toppled headstones, broken headstones, etc. - it is well maintained. The grass is always mowed, old flowers are removed on a regular basis, and things like that.

This is one of my favorite cemeteries. It is not as elaborate as Laurel Hill, but it has it's own grace and beauty.

Here are some of the photos I have taken on some of my visits:

This is the family site of ADVENA - ARMSTRONG family

Here is a close-up of the Angel standing atop this grave.

This little headstone appears to be nothing special until you take a really good look at it. Do you see a woman?
This stone is different.

This Lady stands on top of the KELLER gravesite.

This gravesite and the one directly below are the graves of some of my family members.
Besides the LIEBs & LUXs, I have other family members buried in this cemetery, including:

Salome TRINKLER KAELIN, my Greatgrandmother

Frederick TRINKLER & Dorothea GLEIDEREN TRINKLER, her parents

Sarah & Mary KAELIN, two of Salome's daughters

Another family grave includes the CLOBES family. Henry Philip CLOBES married one of Salome's sisters, Eliza

Eugene LUX married Salome's other sister, Louisa.

This Angel is on the side of an obelisk.

SCHWEZLER gravesite

This owl sites outside of the SEIFERT Mausoleum

WEIDERMAIER gravesite.

Close-up of the Angel atop the WEIDERMAIER grave.

Philadelphia Area Cemeteries - Arlington Cemetery

2010-02-02T10:08:00.000-05:00

Arlington Cemetery is situated on 130 acres just outside of Philadelphia, in Drexel Hill, PA. The cametery, which was founded about 1895, is very well maintained.

The Toppitzer Funeral Home operates out of the cemetery. Also housed inside the cemetery is:

The Museum of Mounrning Art

The Williamsburg Chapel

A Garden Mausoleum

The Monticello Mausoleum

and a Greenhouse

The Cemetery's office building is modeled after Mt. Vernon (George Washington's home)

I took the following pictures on a visit in the winter of 2008.

FELIZZI

These Little Angels (Cherubs) are my favorite things to photograph. To me they actually bring a sense of life to the cemetery. They do not remind me of death, to me they symbolize life or a new beginning. I guess because the are Little Baby Angels.

IMBRUGLIA

MACPHAIL

SONTAG

STEWART

I think this is a pretty cool headstone. It is different. Not something you would think to find in a cemetery.

Here is a close-up of the dial.

Just one of the many views of the cemetery.

Philadelphia Area Shrine - Our Lady of Czestochowa

2009-04-02T09:17:00.000-04:00

The beginning of March we went to Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine. The shrine wasn't what I thought it would be. I was expecting more old-fashioned iconic-looking statues and paintings. What I had found was a more modern atmosphere. The shrine is beautiful, but modern.

There is a cemetery on the grounds, so you know where I went.

The grounds are immaculate! The cemetery is very well maintained. The headstones are elaborate. A lot of the black granite headstones trimmed in gold in use here.

The cemetery is divided into two sections - a military section and a civilian section. I took photos in both sections but I am only posting the military section for now.

Overview of the Military Section

Another Overview

Polish War Memorial that stands in the middle of thi section

Close-up of the Memorial

Another close-up

Philadelphia Area Cemeteries - Hillside Cemetery's Asian Garden Section

2008-11-11T07:45:00.001-05:00

Hillside Cemetery is located on Susquehanna Rd. in Roslyn, Montgomery County, PA.

I do not know the acreage of the Cemetery but it is large and well maintained.

The cemetery was founded about 1885, chartered in 1890 and merged with Ardsley Burial Park in 1953. It is owned and operated by the Greenspan Family.

I have been at this cemetery before and took a few pictures, however, I did not get hard copies of the photos I took and lost them in a hard drive crash. So I decided to go out again and take photos. This cemetery has a huge Asian population, and their monuments are unbelieveably gorgeous! I have been here before to photograph this section, but was unable to because of various reasons: a funeral, mourners, people visiting graves.

Asians have a tradition of ancestor veneration and I believe they tend to do this at their gravesites. I have seen flowers, fruit and incense burners on these graves. Doing some preliminary research on Asian Burial Traditions I have found that the fruit offerings are made to earn the deceased soul merits.

This is one of two "Gates" in this section.

One of the "Guardian Dogs" flanking the Gate.

A overview of the section.

Notice that all graves are facing the same way and none are back to back.

There are also a few Gazebos in this section.

This is just some flowers on the floor of one of them.

The LAM Gravesite

Just the table and chairs for this gravesite.

If anyone knows what these symbolize, please post your comment.

LAM Monument

LIM Gravesite.

I was struck by the vibrant colirs of the flowers.

The photo does them no justice.

TEKHONG Gravesite

The colors on this grave are wondeful.

The flowers just seem to accent the other colors.

The grave is built into a small hill, possibly a burial mound?

The photos do not do this section justice. It is GORGEOUS in this section; almost all the monuments are red, the flowers are bright, the vases and other accents all add to their sense of 'LIFE' not 'death'. I actually got the sense that this is more of a happy place - not sad like our Western ideas of cemeteries.

New Jersey Area Cemeteries - Finn's Point National Cemetery

2008-10-25T21:24:00.001-04:00

Finn's Point National Cemetery is located south of Pennsville, New Jersey in Salem County. Established as a National Cemetery on 3 October 1875, it was used as a Confederate Burial Ground as early as 1863 for Confederate Soldiers who died at nearby Fort Delaware. The cemetery covers a little over 4 and a half acres, and is very well maintained. Finn's Point is administerd by Beverly National Cemetery in Bevely, New Jesey.

This cemetery holds the remains of 2,879 people which include Confederate Soldiers from the Civil War, German Soldiers from World War II, and a murder victim. Most of the remains in this cemetery are Confederate Soldiers.

View from outside the gates looking into the cemetery.

Historic Marker

Overview of the Cemetery

Graves with Caretakers Cottage (?) in the background.

Union Monument, dedicated in 1879

Close-up of the Union Monument

105 Union Soldiers who died at Fort Delaware are buried here.

Confederate Monument, erected in 1910

Close-up of one of the base sides of the Monument.

One of the many plaques around the base of

The Confederate Monument which lists the 2,436

Confederate Prisoners of War who died at

nearby Fort Delaware.

Graves of 13 German Prisoners of World War II

Close-up of some of the German Prisoners headstones.

Bench commemorating the death of

William Reese.

Close-up of bench.

William Reese was a caretaker of this cemetery

who was murdered in the cemetery on 9 May 1997

by serial killer, Andrew Cunanan, who also stole his truck.

Grave of William Reese' wife and son?

Philadelphia Area Cemeteries - Ivy Hill Cemetery

2008-10-05T10:20:00.001-04:00

Ivy Hill Cemetery was established in 1867 and is located at 1201 Easton Rd. in Philadelphia.

This is a wonderful cemetery. It is very well maintained. I personally think it is right up there with Laurel Hill. There are not very many hugh sculptures but the overall ambiance rivals Laurel Hill. It evokes a quite, peacefull aura and reminds me of an old cemetery one might find on a country lane. It is because of that feel, that my photos have changed a little here. I am showing more views and vistas than in my previous posts.

Philadelphia Area Cemeteries - West Laurel Hill

2008-03-28T10:21:00.001-04:00

West Laurel Hill Cemetery sits on 187 acres on Belmount Ave, in Bala Cynwyd, PA., and is the sister cemetery of Laurel Hill Cemeteryin Philadelphia. Both cemeteries are on The National Register of Historic Places.

West Laurel Hill Cemetery was established in 1869 and the first burial was in 1870.

I had read somewhere that this cemetery is owned by a non-profit organization, but I have not been able to confirm that. I guess I could always call the cemetery to find out, but....

Anyway, West Laurel Hill is another of the 'rural' cemeteries. It is just as beautiful as its sister, Laurel Hill, and is also in excellent condition.

Just like her sister, West Laurel Hill Cemetery has a wonderful array of cemetery 'art'.

Enjoy

911 Memorial

Memorial to the Armed Services

This Memorial represents all branches of our Military including the Merchant Marines as well as POW-MIA.

Unfortunately, I did not take a very good photo of it.

Traditionally this is a Guardian in Asian cultures. I am not sure exactly what it represents.

Fron 'CHOW' gravesite

One of the many elaborate designs on mausoleum doors.

This door is on the FOERDERER mausoleum.

Detail of above door.

I have never seen a headstone like this before. This guy must really love his pets.

Close-up of the 'pets' from above grave.

This is a very different depiction of a crucifix. It is gorgeous!

From KEPHART gravesite.

The poem on this headstone tells how this man wants to be remembered after death.

I cannot write the poem out because I do not have permission.

Another detail of a mausoleum door.

I thought this was an unusual stone. I think this man was some sort of Seaman.

From WHITAKER gravesite.

Detail of above headstone.

Philadelphi Area Cemeteries - Laurel Hill Cemetery

2006-07-01T17:44:00.001-04:00

This is a GORGEOUS Cemetery. I have never seen anything like this.

Laurel Hill was established in 1836 (? I think). It was the first rural cemetery in the City of Philadelphia, and the second in the nation. It was laid out by John Notman, and it sits overlooking the banks of the Schuylkill River. It is on the List of National Historic Places.

There are several famous people buried there. There are 6 Titanic passengers, a lot of Civil War soldiers including General George Gordon Meade, and Matthew Baldwin founder of Baldwin Locomotive.

There is also a West Laurel Hill But I have not been there yet.

2006-07-01T17:42:00.000-04:00

This entire gravesite is absolutely wonderful.
The next three pictures show close-ups of the site.

2006-07-01T17:41:00.000-04:00

Another view of this gravesite.

2006-07-01T17:39:00.000-04:00

The spirit of this person is free.
I love the idea (this is my interpretation)
of the woman releasing the spirit of her loved one.

2006-07-01T17:37:00.000-04:00

I believe this is everyones favorite gravesite.
It seems to be the one most people remember.

2006-07-01T17:27:00.000-04:00

Close up of one of the mausoleums.
I really like the way the vines hand sll over this.

2006-07-01T17:26:00.000-04:00

One of the many rows of mausoleums.

2006-07-01T17:24:00.000-04:00

A view of some of the Mausoleums from below.

2006-07-01T17:23:00.000-04:00

And another row.

2006-07-01T17:17:00.000-04:00

One of the two benches that I took pictures of.
I really like the way this is laid out.

2006-07-01T17:14:00.000-04:00

I believe that John F. Marion was some sort of poet.
I think his gravesite is wonderful!

2006-07-01T17:11:00.000-04:00

This is the first stained glass picture I ever took.
I did not think it would come out because the flash
on my digital camera is not very strong.
This is the stained glass that is inside the
Elkins Mausoleum.

2006-07-01T17:10:00.000-04:00

This poor little Angel looks so lonely.

2006-07-01T17:06:00.000-04:00

I thought this was pretty cool looking.
I especially like the grieving woman.

2006-07-01T17:05:00.000-04:00

Close up of the grieving woman

2006-07-01T17:01:00.000-04:00

I just liked the way the woman was up there
with the two angels.

Philadelphia Area Cemeteries - Forest Hills

2005-11-19T07:25:00.001-05:00

We went last Sunday to Forest Hills Cemetery.

The cemetery is located at Byberry Road and Philmont Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia. It is one of the older cemeteries in the area. I don't remember when it was founded but I do believe it was in the late 1800s. It is well maintained.

The cemetery was somewhat of a disappointment (from a photographers point of view), there were not many large ornate headstones or statues - with the exception of one of the Asian family plots. I think I have been spoiled by the large Catholic cemeteries in the area and also by Laurel Hill. However, like most of the cemeteries in the Philadelphia area, it is peaceful and thought provoking.

2005-11-19T07:17:00.000-05:00

This is the first of many Asian plots in this cemetery.
This one is the most elaborate.

2005-11-19T07:16:00.000-05:00

This is the Chan Family Plot.
Unfortunately (for me) I do not understand the
symbolisms behind these statues on this gravesite.
I do not know what the bunting is for, but if I am not
mistaken the color (red) represents Joy? So maybe
the Asian symbolism is similar to Christian beliefs of
heaven. I do know that like the Polynesians, Asians have great
respect for their ancestors.
The gravesite is very well maintained.

2005-11-19T07:09:00.000-05:00

This statue stands at the base of the
arch (or gate?). It looks like a dog, but it
could also be a dragon.

2005-11-19T07:06:00.000-05:00

This statue reminds me of the Native
American Indian totem poles.
It stands in one corner of the Chan Family plot,
and there is another one in the opposite corner.

2005-11-19T07:03:00.000-05:00

This statue is at the rear of the Chan Family plot.

2005-11-19T06:01:00.000-05:00

Another of the Asian gravesites

Philadelphia Area Cemeteries - Beechwood Cemetery

2005-09-14T07:15:00.001-04:00

I went out to take some pictures over the weekend. We went to Beechwood Cemetery. The Cemetery is located at Hulmeville Rd. and Bensalem Blvd., in Baensalem, Bucks Co., Pa.

Beechwood was established in 1868. It is a small cemetery and is well maintained. There are no big statues or monuments in there, however, there are quite a few unusual headstones. I don't usually take a lot of headstone photos - I like the statues and other three dimensional art work that is in cemeteries - but the headstones were quite different.

There are a few of the black headstones in here. I must admit they are beginning to catch my eye. Some of them have pictures on them that are created by laser. I believe they are all done by computer. Some of them are quite spectacular.

2005-09-14T07:07:00.000-04:00

This stone is absolutely gorgeous! I have never seen a stone like this - there are two of them in this cemetery.

2005-09-14T07:06:00.000-04:00

I don't know too much about different types of stone, but this headstone appears to be marble.

2005-09-14T07:05:00.000-04:00

This is the first time I have ever seen a stone engraved with color. It is wonderful! The picture does not do it justice.

2005-09-14T07:03:00.001-04:00

Back of the Sooby headstone.

2005-09-14T07:03:00.000-04:00

The stone on this grave is beautiful. However what caught my eye is the Gnome standing in the little garden that was made on this grave.

2005-09-14T07:01:00.000-04:00

Mr. Titler obviously was not a child when he died, but I think the statue of the little boy with his dog says a lot about him.

2005-09-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

Close-up of the little boy statue.

2005-09-14T06:59:00.000-04:00

This grave looks sort of joyful. However, when you look closely it is a grave of a child.

2005-09-14T06:58:00.000-04:00

I think the inscription of this stone is pretty cool. It appears that Mr. Beattie has 'Gone Fishing'. I think that is a really nice way to think of it, especially if Mr. Beattie enjoyed fishing.

2005-09-14T06:55:00.000-04:00

There is a row of sample headstones at this cemetery. This particular one caught my eye.

Philadelphia Area Churches - St. Agnes and St. John Nepomucene R.C. Church

2005-09-09T17:39:00.001-04:00

I had a delivery at this church last weekend.

St. Agnes and St. John Nepomucene is a Slovakian Church.

This was the first time I was ever in this one. It is at 4th and Brown Sts. in Philadelphia. St. John Nepomucene Church was founded in 1902, and St Agnes Church was founded in 1907. The two churches were consolidated in 1980.

2005-09-09T17:34:00.001-04:00

Main altar

2005-09-09T17:34:00.000-04:00

Close-up of main altar and the engraving of The Last Supper.

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I believ this is Our Lady of Lourdes

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St. Joseph's altar

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I know this statue has a name, but for the life of me I cannot remember what it is. It is Jesus being placed in his Mother's arms after he was taken down from the cross.

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St. Theresa the Little Flower

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Infant of Prague

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I think this may be St. Agnes, but I am not sure.

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I don't know who this statue is either. May be St. John Nepomucene?

Philadelphia Area Churches - St. Albert the Great R.C. Church

2005-09-09T17:02:00.001-04:00

In my line of work - Wedding Florist - I visit many Churches in the Philadelphia Area.

St. Albert's is just outside the City of Philadelphia on Welsh Road. It is a Church that I visit quite often. I don't know too much about it, but it is a pretty Church. I don't have a picture here, but behind the main altar is a huge stained glass window.

I have very few photos from this Church. I only posted three below

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Blessed Mother Grotto outside of St. Albert the Great R.C. Church.

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Close-up of Blessed Mother in her Grotto. St. Albert the Great R.C. Church

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Baptismal Font in the Vestibule of St. Albert the Great R.C. Church.

Philadelphia Area Cemeteries - Oakland Cemetery

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Oakland Cemetery is located at Adams and Ramona Aves. in Philadelphia's Frankford/Northwood neighborhood. Although I do not know a lot about the cemetery's history, I do know it was established in 1891.

This cemetery is maintained very well.

The cemetery is along side of the Greenwood Knights of Pythias Cemetery.

The pictures below were taken in the Fall 0f 2004. We went to take pictures of Greenwood - mentioned above - and we also took pictures here.

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A view of the main road in this cemetery.

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Closer version of the same view.

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OSTENDORFF Family Gravesite

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Close-up of OSTENDORFF Gravesite.

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Another close-up of OSTENDORFF Gravesite

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One of the few lif-sized statues in this cemetery.

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This stone is to commemorate the EVANS Family, whose remains were removed from The Baptist Burial Grounds at Penn and Church Sts. and reinterred here.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church and Cemetery

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This is one of the local churches in my neighborhood. I don't know a whole lot about it, but I think it was established in 1879.

The cemetery is a small churchyard and it is well maintained. I recognize some of the names in the cemetery as names of local neighborhood streets.

There are not a lot of elaborate stones here, but I did take a few shots of some of the graves. I will most likely go back and take more pictures when the weather is a little cooler.

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One of the Civil War Graves that are in this cemetery.

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Grave of Thomas HAVEY

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Grave of Dr. Newton MAY.

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Grave of Catherine HILLBORN, wife of Joseph TEMPLE. Also buried here is Lewis TEMPLE, an 11 year old child. This is in the courtyard between the church and community building.

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Another view of this grave.

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One of the gravestones in the courtyard. This is the grave of Elizabeth DARGH FISHER, died 1876.

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Another courtyard. This one is behind the graves that are between the church and community building.

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Close up of the corner.

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Memorial Garden. This is also in the courtyard. It is next to the church.

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The courtyard between the church and community building.

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The Church as seen from the street.

Pitcairn Estate - Bryn Athyn, Pa.

2005-06-15T08:37:00.002-04:00

When I was a kid I heard all sorts of stories about this place, mostly that it was suppose to be haunted. Well as an adult I finally visited the estate. It is gorgeous!
First there is Bryn Athyn Cathedral. Built in 1919 in the Gothic Romanesque style of architecture, the Cathedral is wonderful. It could rival any of the European Cathedrals. We visited in February 2005 when there was still snow on the ground and it just added to the feel of the place. I was not suppose to take pictures inside the Cathedral, but I did, you can see some of them below.

We could not get inside the Glencairn Museum or the Cairnwood Mansion, but I took several photos of the buildings. The Museum was built between 1928 - 1939 in the Romanesque style and was the home of Raymond Pitcairn and his wife Mildred.

Cairnwood was built in 1895 and was the home of John Pitcairn and his wife, Gertrude. We recently did a wedding here and were finally able to get inside, but unfortunately I was not able to get any pictures.

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Bryn Athyn Cathedral

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Main tower

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I think this is the front or main entrance to the Cathedral

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Archways over one of the doors.

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One of the doorways

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Interior of the Cathedral

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Close-up of stained glass.

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Pulpit on the main altar.

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Cathedral doors. All of the door knobs in the Cathedral are different. I was told there is a reason for this, but I don't remember why.

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Glencairn Museum

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I am not sure if this is the front or back of the Museum.

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View from the parking lot

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Another view of the Museum

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Cairnwood Mansion. This is actually the rear of the building. I think this view is better than the front. This was taken from the parking lot.