Moravian Burial Ground facts for kids
Moravian Burial Ground behind Lindsey House, Chelsea, London
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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1751 |
| Location | |
| Country | England |
| Type | access Wednesdays pm |
| Owned by | Fetter Lane Society |
| No. of interments | 400+ |
The Moravian Burial Ground is a special cemetery in London. It is where members of the Moravian Congregation have been buried for hundreds of years.
Contents
Where is the Moravian Burial Ground?
The burial ground is located in Chelsea, London. It is found within the grounds of Lindsey House. You can find it near Milman Street, close to Cheyne Walk and Beaufort Street. This area is part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
History of the Burial Ground
When Burials Started
People first started being buried at this site in 1751. Since then, more than 400 people have been laid to rest here. The Moravian Church is a Christian group that began in the 15th century.
Why it's Special
This burial ground was not used very often, and graves were dug quite deep. Because of this, it was allowed to stay open even after a law in 1855 closed many other London cemeteries. New burials stopped in 1888. However, it can still be used for burying ashes today.
God's Acre and the Fetter Lane Society
The Moravians often call their burial grounds 'God's Acre'. This name shows their belief that the ground is a sacred place. The Moravian Church in London is also known as the Fetter Lane Society. They used to meet in Fetter Lane in the City of London. Later, they moved to Lindsey House.
The burial ground itself was built on the land where stables for Beaufort House once stood. The church building that replaced the original one was sadly bombed during the Second World War. Today, the Fetter Lane Moravian Church is on King's Road. They still look after the burial ground and a small chapel at its original location.
What the Burial Ground Looks Like
The burial ground is surrounded by walls. It is divided into four separate areas. These sections are for married men, unmarried men, married women, and unmarried women. You can visit the burial ground on Wednesday afternoons.
Famous People Buried Here
Many interesting people are buried at the Moravian Burial Ground. Here are a few:
- Henry, the 73rd Count of Reuss: He was a friend and family member of Nicolaus Ludwig Zinzendorf, an important leader in the Moravian Church.
- Peter Böhler: A bishop and missionary who traveled to spread the Moravian faith.
- John Cennick: An evangelist and hymn writer. He wrote many religious songs.
- James Gillray: He was the sexton (a person who looks after a church and graveyard) and the father of a famous artist named James Gillray, who drew funny pictures called caricatures.
- James Hutton: One of the people who helped start the Fetter Lane Chapel.
- Reverend Benjamin LaTrobe: He was the father of Benjamin Henry Latrobe, a famous architect who designed important buildings in the United States.
- Christian Renatus: The son of Graf Zinzendorf, another key figure in the Moravian Church.
