In early June 2017, vandals damaged dozens of historic gravestones in the cemetery of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The congregation is now reaching out to preservationists and the community to help make the needed repairs.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Maryland. Photo from the Maryland Historical Trust.
Prince George’s County police believe that more than one individual was involved since several of the damaged headstones weighed several hundred pounds. The Church plans to raise the necessary funds to carefully and professionally restore the headstones. Individuals interested in supporting the repair of the cemetery may donate to the church by visiting their website.
The Church dates back to 1745 and the cemetery even before that, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The congregation was previously awarded a Heritage Fund grant administered by Preservation Maryland and the Maryland Historical Trust.
Throughout the year, Preservation Maryland has worked closely with the Coalition to Protect Maryland Burial Sites and is able to provide video recordings of their most recent annual conference as a resource to those interested in cemetery conservation.
Learn more about the history of St. Thomas Episcopal
Learn about Preservation Maryland’s Cemetery Preservation Efforts