Over 550 souls rest here at Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery. Founded in 1808, it is more than just a burial ground. Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery is a chronicle of Alexandria’s history.
Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery began when congregation members purchased the land for $340. It became the final resting place for many. Eight Revolutionary War veterans lie here honored for their service. A War of 1812 veteran also rests in Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery. Early pioneers from the free Black community are also interred within these grounds.
Among those interred is John Wesley Hollensbury. He is the man behind Alexandria’s iconic Spite House. Hollensbury served as a brickmaker and city council member. He built the Spite House in 1830. It stands a mere 7 feet 6 inches wide. The Hollensbury Spite House has become a celebrated local landmark. Hollensbury rests here with his two daughters Francis and Harriet. Another sister Charlotte Hollensberry Sherwood is also buried in Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery.
James Washington Lugenbeel also lies here. He was a physician and humanitarian. Lugenbeel worked with the American Colonization Society. He was appointed the colonial physician for Liberia in 1843. Lugenbeel kept a journal during the Liberian constitutional convention in 1847. His book Sketches of Liberia offers a comprehensive view of early Liberian society.
Another notable figure is John A Muir. He served as the Mayor of Alexandria from 1853 to 1854. Muir came from a family of furniture makers. Valuable pieces from his workshop are highly sought after today. Muir rests beside his wife Lydia and their two children Nannie and Eleanor.
Edgar Snowden Sr. also rests at Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery. He owned and published the Alexandria Gazette. Snowden also served as Mayor of Alexandria. His family lived at 619 South Lee Street known as the Snowden House.
Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery connects us to the past. It reminds us of the lives and legacies of those who shaped Alexandria. Their stories whisper from the headstones. They invite us to remember and reflect on the rich tapestry of our shared heritage here at Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery.