Westminster Hall and Burying Ground

History

History information is some background and history about the location. This is meant to be a basic summary. Below the history records you will find sources in which you can click on to find out more information. There may be multiple history records per location.

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Westminster Hall and Burying Ground is a graveyard and former church located at 519 West Fayette Street (at North Greene Street) in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It is currently part of the grounds of the University of Maryland's School of Law. It occupies the southeast corner of West Fayette and North Greene Street on the west side of downtown Baltimore. It sits across from the Baltimore VA hospital and is the burial site of Edgar Allan Poe and several politicians and military officials. The complex was declared a national historic district in 1974.

The graveyard was established in January 1787 by the First Presbyterian Church of Baltimore on land on the west side of old Baltimore Town purchased by a committee of noted laypeople.

In July 1852, Westminster Presbyterian Church was erected overtop the graveyard, its brick piers straddling gravestones and burial vaults to create what later Baltimoreans referred to as the "catacombs." For years, it was thought that the Gothic Revival-style Westminster Presbyterian Church was built in response to a new city ordinance prohibiting cemeteries that were not adjacent to a religious structure. Historians later discovered that this ordinance never existed.

Westminster Presbyterian Church lived up to its promise and ministry for several decades but suffered a dramatic loss of congregants by the early 20th century, who were moving to the outer city and its suburbs and joining additional Presbyterian and other congregations there. Revived in the 1920s by a number of new active members, the congregation continued until 1977, when the Westminster Presbyterian congregation was disbanded/disorganized and historical assets were reverted to the local Presbytery of Baltimore, and arrangements were made when care of the church building and premises was assumed by the University of Maryland's School of Law, which occupies the rest of the square block to the south, southeast, and east, bounded by West Baltimore, North Paca, West Fayette, and North Greene streets. Under the auspices of the newly organized, non-profit "Westminster Preservation Trust", the "burying grounds" were cleaned up and the church was renovated for secular public use, now known as "Westminster Hall".

Westminster Hall and Burying Ground was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 17, 1974.

Added by: sdonley on 07/18/2025 DB#:769
Source(s):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_Hall_and...

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Westminster Hall and Burying Ground in Baltimore, Maryland, holds a unique place in American history, blending colonial heritage with gothic architecture and deeply rooted legends. Originally established in 1786 as the Westminster Presbyterian Cemetery, the burying ground predates the church itself, which was constructed later in 1852 atop the burial ground. The church was designed in a Gothic Revival style, which added an eerie majesty to the existing cemetery and solidified the site as one of Baltimore's most hauntingly beautiful landmarks.

Many of Baltimore’s earliest and most prominent citizens were laid to rest within the cemetery’s iron gates. The layout reflects an 18th-century burial ground, with densely packed graves, family vaults, and underground tombs. Among the most famous individuals interred there is Edgar Allan Poe, whose grave has attracted thousands of literary pilgrims over the years. His original grave marker is modest, though a larger memorial was later added near the entrance to commemorate his lasting impact. Other notable burials include generals from the Revolutionary War and veterans of the War of 1812, their tombstones weathered by time but still standing as silent reminders of early American strife.

The decision to construct Westminster Hall over the burial ground was a controversial one in its time. Rather than disturbing the graves, the church was built on a series of brick piers, allowing the tombs and pathways beneath to remain intact. This elevated construction unintentionally added a layer of mystery to the site, as dim passageways and subterranean crypts became hidden beneath the floorboards of the church. These catacombs later fueled ghost stories and rumors of hauntings that persist to this day, making the location a frequent stop for those interested in the paranormal.

As Baltimore expanded, Westminster Hall found itself at the center of a growing city, and by the mid-20th century, the church was deconsecrated and repurposed. Instead of being demolished, efforts were made to preserve the building due to its architectural and historical significance. Eventually, the site came under the stewardship of the University of Maryland School of Law, which continues to maintain it as a cultural and historical venue. The building now hosts lectures, tours, and special events, keeping its storied past alive for modern audiences.

Despite the passage of centuries, Westminster Hall and Burying Ground remain a powerful symbol of Baltimore's layered history. It is a place where art, death, and memory converge—where the past isn’t just buried but rises through the architecture and echoes of the site. With its mix of historical significance, gothic ambiance, and associations with one of literature's most macabre figures, the site continues to captivate visitors and scholars alike.

Added by: sdonley on 07/18/2025 DB#:770
Source(s):
Various

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