Glover Park holds a secret. It is a six-and-a-half acre cemetery called Holy Rood Cemetery. This cemetery is also known as Trinity Cemetery. It sits on one of the city’s highest elevations adjacent to Georgetown.
Originally called Trinity Church Upper Grave Yard, Holy Rood Cemetery was established in 1832. Holy Trinity Catholic Church founded it. The name changed to Holy Rood Cemetery between 1850 and 1870. “Rood” is an old English word for Cross.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine the year 1901. The cemetery walls are torn down. New ones are erected. Many trees are removed. This was to prevent root damage to graves and fallen limbs from storms.
The last cemetery lot was sold in 1915. A few burials took place as late as the 1990s. The cemetery was active from the mid-nineteenth century to the early twentieth century.
Holy Rood Cemetery contains approximately 7,000 burials. Among them are about 1,000 free and enslaved African Americans. It might be the best-documented slave burial ground in D.C.. European immigrants are also buried here. These immigrants helped build the C&O Canal and the City of Washington. Civil War veterans rest here too. At the cemetery’s western edge lies Joseph Nevitt. He was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War.
Georgetown University owns Holy Rood Cemetery. In the 1980s, the university considered disinterring bodies. They wanted to use the land for other purposes. A legal action blocked this. The remaining holders of burial rights brought the action.
Until recently, the cemetery suffered from years of disuse and neglect. Headstones had toppled. Weeds and shrubs grew wildly. The roadway was in disrepair.
But here is some good news. In 2018, Georgetown University and Holy Trinity Catholic Church announced restoration plans. They also planned to build the Holy Trinity Columbarium.
In November 2019, Holy Trinity completed the 645-niche columbarium. It has a restored brownstone crypt. This crypt contains 99 niches inside. A seven-panel granite columbarium wall stands in the carriage way. It holds 546 niches. The first entombment took place on November 2, 2019.
Holy Trinity parishioners get priority for purchasing niches. So do persons with ancestors buried at Holy Rood. Georgetown University alumni, faculty, and staff also receive priority. Others can purchase niches as available. You do not have to be Catholic to be entombed here.
The first restoration phase was completed in 2020. Enhancements were made to the entrance. A new ornamental gate and fence were installed. Extensive relandscaping took place. Hundreds of trees and shrubs were planted. The roadway was repaved. Fallen headstones were reset.
Proceeds from columbarium niche sales help fund a Perpetual Care Endowment. This endowment maintains and improves Holy Rood Cemetery.
Holy Rood Cemetery stands as a testament to history. It honors those buried within its grounds. It also provides a final resting place for future generations. The cemetery’s story is one of preservation and remembrance.