Had you been strolling through Chelsea in the 1970s you might have seen a lion roaming around. Yes you heard me right a lion. Today we’re exploring the Milman’s Street Moravian Burial Ground a place with more stories than just those etched in stone.
This seemingly quiet spot is not just any burial ground. It’s the final resting place for members of the Moravian Church in London. The Milman’s Street Moravian Burial Ground is hidden behind high Tudor brick walls. It offers a unique glimpse into a community with a rich history.
Burials began here in 1751. Since then over 400 people have been interred here. The Milman’s Street Moravian Burial Ground stands apart from other Christian cemeteries. Here the graves are uniform with small stone plaques laid out in neat rows. This symbolizes equality in death a core tenet of the Moravian faith.
The Moravian Church itself has fascinating roots. It goes back to the Bohemian Reformation of the 15th century. This movement challenged certain practices of the Catholic Church. The Moravian Church arrived in England in the early 1700s. They first gathered in Fetter Lane in the City of London.
In 1750 Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf bought an estate in Chelsea for the church. He planned a housing development but only the chapel and burial ground were built. That is what we see here today at the Milman’s Street Moravian Burial Ground. The original Fetter Lane church was destroyed during a World War II bombing. The congregation relocated but continues to maintain this Chelsea site now known as the Fetter Lane Moravian Church.
Notice the high walls surrounding the Milman’s Street Moravian Burial Ground. Parts of these walls date back to Tudor times when this land belonged to Sir Thomas More. It’s believed that the burial ground sits on the site of his former stables. According to local lore this is the largest Moravian burial site in England and Ireland. It’s also London’s only remaining intramural burial ground since the 1850s.
The Milman’s Street Moravian Burial Ground layout is striking. It looks like a bowling green with a large lawn and a pavilion style building at one end. Gravestones are laid out in orderly rows. Each stone is identical regardless of the person’s status in life. Equality in death is a powerful message.
Several prominent Moravian leaders are buried here. Among them are Peter Böhler John Cennick and James Hutton. At the far end is a bench adorned with heraldic shields of former landowners.
Now about that lion. In 1969 two men bought a lion named Christian from Harrods. They were allowed to exercise him here until he was reintroduced to the wild in 1971. Imagine a lion roaming among the graves.
Today the worshippers call this burial ground God’s Acre. It’s a peaceful escape from the bustle of Chelsea. The Milman’s Street Moravian Burial Ground is divided into four sections. Each section is designated for married women married men single women and single men. The headstones are all the same size reinforcing the idea of equality in death.
This serene location offers a unique glimpse into the history and beliefs of the Moravian community. The Milman’s Street Moravian Burial Ground is a testament to their enduring faith and commitment to equality even in death. Its peaceful atmosphere and historical significance make it a truly special place in the heart of London.