Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery

A few weeks ago after my somewhat successful, somewhat failed attempt to visit Prospect Cemetery, I searched nearby and realized I was right by another cemetery. Luckily, Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery was much more accessible so I spent a bit of time walking the grounds. Burials in the churchyard date back to 1734, but the oldest tombstone I saw (or could read) was from 1740—still making it the oldest I can recall seeing in my exploration of New York cemeteries thus far.

The cemetery is small, but has a great collection of old brownstones (my favorite). There were some wonderful winged skulls, beautiful lichen-covered stones, and incredible script lettering. The winged cherubs are also wonderful, and although it makes me sad, I am continually fascinated by the decay process of crumbling stones.

I came across a plump squirrel who looked quite content hopping from stone to stone and I spent a great deal of time crunching through piles of freshly fallen leaves. Fall is the prime time to visit cemeteries, in my opinion, although that certainly doesn't stop me from visiting them all year round. I've only been to one cemetery when there was snow on the ground and it was really beautiful—I'll definitely have to make that a priority this winter.

Grace Church is in the middle of Jamaica Queens, which is a very busy commercial and residential area. In addition to being a major transportation hub, there are tons of restaurants, shops and other businesses bordering the cemetery on all sides. I doubt Elizabeth Ogden or any of the other permanent residents of the cemetery has much use for anything sold at the neighboring Hair Factory, but if you like to get your nails done and have your weave fixed after a leisurely stroll through a historic cemetery, Grace Episcopal Church cemetery has it all.