St. Peter's Church, Chapel and Cemetery Complex, Episcopal Gothic Revival complex in Westchester Square, Bronx, United States
The church, chapel, and cemetery complex stands at 2500 Westchester Avenue, displaying Gothic Revival architecture with a square corner tower, buttressed corners, and an octagonal belfry built from rough-faced schist. The 6-acre grounds continue to serve as an active Episcopal worship site with regular services.
The cemetery was established in 1654 by early settlers, making it the oldest active burial ground in the Bronx. The stone church with its Gothic Revival design was built later to serve the expanding religious community of the area.
The chapel hosts the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, which brings performing arts and dance events to the historic space since 2013. This artistic presence adds a contemporary creative dimension to the site's religious foundation.
The grounds are open for visitors interested in exploring the architecture and cemetery, especially during daylight hours. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since the cemetery includes multiple pathways and uneven terrain.
The cemetery holds inscriptions from over 1000 graves documented by James Minor Lincoln in 1909, spanning three centuries of local history. This detailed record allows visitors to trace the lives and families of earlier residents who shaped the area.
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