A Historic Resting Place for Generations

History Lives Here, as Evidenced by the Names Within Our Cemetery

Just outside Old Town Alexandria lies solemn grounds that hold stories of a young republic, a nation at war with itself, and a city reborn through faith, commerce, and civic pride. Founded in 1809, this seven-acre resting ground is an enduring archive of the American experience.

1809: Born in a Time of Transformation

The cemetery's founding directly responded to the 1804 Alexandria ordinance banning burials within the city- a law that signaled the town's transition from colonial port to burgeoning urban center. At the time, Alexandria was part of the newly formed District of Columbia, not Virginia- a distinction that would last until retrocession in 1846. The Old Presbyterian Meeting House, whose members established the cemetery, looked for a space beyond the boundaries of their rapidly growing town. A place of quiet and remembrance was found on Hamilton Lane, away from the clamor of portside commerce.

These seven acres would soon become a quiet memorial to generations of Alexandrians- merchants who thrived on the tobacco trade, captains navigating the sea, and veterans of the American Revolution who had helped bring forth a new nation. Among them are individuals who witnessed firsthand the War of 1812, which saw British ships sail the river that flanks Alexandria.

A Crossroads During the Civil War: 1861-1865

Alexandria was in a strategic position when the Civil War began: a Southern town occupied by Union forces from the war's first hours. The Presbyterian Cemetery stood just outside the hub of military hospitals, supply depots, and encampments that transformed Alexandria into a key logistics center for the North. Soldiers who never made it home were laid to rest nearby at the newly created Alexandria National Cemetery. At the same time, this cemetery interred both Union and Confederate dead, many within yards of one another. The Old Presbyterian Meeting House- home to George Washington's memorial service in 1799- saw its influence wane during the postwar years.

1899-1949: Decline, Rediscovery, and the Spirit of Preservation

Like many historic sites in the early 20th century, the cemetery weathered decades of neglect as modern Alexandria surged forward. But the 1920s ushered in a renaissance of local heritage awareness. The Second Presbyterian Church spearheaded restoration efforts- not only of the cemetery but also of the Meeting House itself, whose 18th-century architecture was once filled with the voices of patriots and preachers. A court-appointed board of community leaders stepped in to manage cemetery operations, signaling renewed stewardship.

1949-Present: Reunion and Renewal

In 1949, the Second Presbyterian Church reunited with the Old Presbyterian Meeting House. Once again under the church's care, the cemetery found a tireless advocate in Rev. Dr. William Randolph Sengel, who envisioned its restoration as part of the church's living ministry. That vision became a reality in 1999 when the cemetery returned to the Old Presbyterian Meeting House's stewardship.

Today, the site is not only an active cemetery- it's an archive of Alexandria's civic and religious life. An addition of a limestone-and-granite columbarium in 2008 reflects a continued commitment to serving future generations as we honor the past.

A National Story Told in Local Memorials

Beneath the surface of these grounds lies the story of America. Veterans of three early American wars- the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War-are buried here alongside politicians, shipbuilders, and U.S. Congressman Lewis McKenzie, who helped guide Alexandria through the postwar period. Also buried here are Rev. Dr. Elias Harrison, the congregation's fourth minister, and members of his family.

Our cemetery gives voice to an important part of history- an intimate, grounded, and human story. It reminds us that the nation's great tides of conflict, commerce, and change were felt not only in capital cities and battlefields but also in the streets of small towns, in the pews of churches, and in the choices of everyday people whose names endure here. For historians, genealogists, or simply those looking to honor our collective past, the Presbyterian Cemetery offers a view into Alexandria's role in the American story.