Graveyard Shift

Walk back in time and engage your mind with Self-Guided Tours of historic sites in the City of Burlington. Available year-round, tours are especially rewarding during one of our special annual events (see Events Calendar). The Site Numbers (in circles: ) below may appear out of order, but the sites are arranged in order of best walking route. To help you find your way, print out a copy of our Historic District Map. Or, request a FREE Map Brochure– by <E-mail> or call (609) 386-3993. Supplies are limited.
Some sites may contain stairs. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

New St. Mary’s Church 1854

W. Broad Street
New St. Marys was designed by Richard Upjohn, a noted American architect, at the direction of Bishop Doane. It is the earliest and one of the foremost examples of the Gothic revival style in this country.
St. Mary’s churchyard is the resting place of prominent citizens including:

(Old) St. Mary’s Episcopal Church 1703

NW corner of Wood & Broad Streets
The oldest Episcopal Church in New Jersey is Old St. Mary’s, having just celebrated its 300th Anniversary. The founding was accomplished by Rev. George Keith and Rev. John Talbot, with the aid of the board of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Entombed in its chancel are the remains of the first Bishop on American soil, John Talbot M.A., and Col. Daniel Coxe, Commander Queen Anne’s forces in NJ, member Governor’s Council and House of Assembly, then in 1734 Associate Justice Supreme Court.

Friends Meetinghouse orig. 1685 rebuilt 1785

341 High Street
This building’s location has been the meeting place of area Quakers for over 300 years. The original seats and tables built during the Revolution are still in use. Constructed on the site of the original hexagonal meetinghouse used from 1685 to 1785. The building and grounds are reminders of the important contributions Quakers have made to the area’s culture over the centuries.

Among the noteworthies interred in Friend’s Burial Ground behind the building are:

Broad Street Methodist Church 1624

E. Broad & Lawrence Streets
Broad Street Methodist Church stands at E. Broad & Lawrence Streets, first constructed in 1820, replaced in 1847. The church’s graveyard is home to many old graves, including at least one of the estimated 5,000 African Americans who served in the War for Independence. Here lies the mortal remains of African American Revolutionary War Soldier Oliver Cromwell, who received the Badge of Merit for soldiering the entire War.

Bethlehem African Methodist Episcopal Church 1855

213 Pearl Blvd.
Burlington’s oldest African American institution was founded in 1830. It is one of the oldest African American churches in the state. Originally constructed in 1836, the building was replaced in 1855, remodeled in 1873 and again in the 1980s. Beside it is provided a tiny Burial Yard, shady rest for but a few of the graves of 212,000 African American Union Army and Navy Civil War soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom from opression.

A few remarks about respecting private property

All of the properties listed here are privately held. Our intention in divulging the lists of interred is to foster interest in the great figures of Burlington’s past, and to encourage real scholarly research and respectful tribute. We advise interested parties to directly contact the individual properties for permisson or access. Some contacts are given at the bottom for this purpose. Trespass and defacement will not be tolerated.