Is the ground beneath our feet truly solid? At St. Matthew’s Cemetery, it whispers tales of a vanished community. St. Matthew’s Cemetery, once a peaceful half-acre, thrived in the heart of Francisville. This neighborhood, back then, was a “small country village” yearning for its own spiritual anchor. Founded in 1822, the cemetery served the congregation of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. Imagine their longing for a consecrated burial ground, a place where their loved ones could rest near the church they held dear. That wish materialized on Ginnodo Street, right next to a public burial ground known as “The Vineyard.” Years passed, and the congregation grew. By 1857, a new church was erected on 18th and Girard, a testament to their burgeoning numbers. St. Matthew’s Cemetery, however, was deemed insufficient for their needs. The land was sold, and the march of progress replaced the hushed reverence of the graveyard with the everyday bustle of houses. Today, St. Matthew’s Cemetery exists solely in whispers and shadows, a poignant echo of a bygone era swallowed by time and the relentless growth of the city.
Zion Baptist Church
Founded in 1882 Zion Baptist Church stands proudly in Philadelphia. It’s a testament to faith resilience and community. This wasn’t