“Rest among the busy streets”. That is what the stones here at Market Square Presbyterial Church Burial Ground seem to whisper. This final resting place offers a silent contrast to the vibrant life that surrounds it.
The Market Square Presbyterial Church Burial Ground has a rich history. It is also known as the German Reformed Church in Germantown Burial Ground. Some also call it Market Square German Reformed Church Graveyard.
The Market Square Presbyterial Church was originally a Dutch Reformed congregation. This was around 1710. By 1732, it was documented as a German Reformed congregation. This evolved over time.
In 1857, the German Reformed Church of Germantown became Market Square Presbyterian Church. However, the Market Square Church was dissolved in 1995. Its legacy lives on through historical records and the memories of those connected to it.
This burial ground holds approximately 650 memorials. Sixty-eight percent of them are photographed. Thirty-four percent have GPS coordinates recorded.
Market Square Presbyterial Church maintained meticulous records. These records included consistory minutes dating back to 1750. They documented baptisms, marriages, and membership. These records offer a glimpse into the lives of past parishioners.
In 1960, Market Square Presbyterial Church received members of the Church of the Savior. The Church of the Savior started as the Germantown Italian Mission in 1908. It was officially organized as a congregation in 1928. This merger added another layer to the history of Market Square.
Take a moment to appreciate the stories held within this burial ground. The Market Square Presbyterial Church Burial Ground stands as a testament to faith, community, and the enduring passage of time.