In use since 1809, the historic Presbyterian Cemetery and Columbarium has over 3000 burials among its seven acres, which is located inside the 80-acre Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex. The Presbyterian Cemetery and Columbarium is a consecrated active cemetery that welcomes all. Over the years, the Presbyterian Cemetery has provided burial space for merchants; ship captains; veterans of the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War (including those who served for North and South); the Reverend Dr. Elias Harrison, fourth pastor of the Meeting House; the Reverend Dr. William R. Sengel, former pastor emeritus of the Meeting House; a half dozen of Alexandria’s mayors; numerous representatives of the city’s governing council; and at least one member of the U.S. In the 1950s, a group from Second Presbyterian Church assumed responsibility for the Presbyterian Cemetery. They established a fund to support cemetery operations, which today provides the operating budget and enables necessary capital improvements. Though more than a thousand burial plots remain available in the Presbyterian Cemetery, a Columbarium was added in 2007 to provide more suitable accommodation for cremated remains. Located along the western edge of the roadway through the property, it contains 192 individual niches, each of which can hold two small urns. This facility is available for use by any Presbyterian. Because of the financial support provided by its operating fund, the Cemetery does not charge for perpetual care of interments either in the Columbarium or in individual gravesites. To learn more about the Presbyterian Cemetery and Columbarium, please contact D. David Heiby, Cemetery Superintendent for Information about the site, including purchasing a burial plot or columbarium niche is available on request.
