The Christ Church Graveyard
Christ Church would not be Christ Church without the beauty of its historic graveyard. The oldest marked stone dates from 1717, over three hundred years ago. The stones and markers are witnesses to the many souls who have worshipped here over the centuries; there are countless stories waiting to be told.
The Graveyard is what we sometimes refer to as a “living graveyard”. Not only because of the unique spirit that inhabits this sanctuary, but because people are still being buried here in our own day. It has been a goal of this parish to ensure that there is room for many people to be laid to rest at Christ Church for decades and even centuries to come.
The question is often asked: is there still room to be buried in a more than three-hundred-year-old graveyard? The answer is a resounding Yes. Although full burial plots are no longer available, the church does offer several options for the burying of cremains. Descriptions of various options may be found below.
An overview of the Christ Church churchyard (a graveyard that surrounds a church) can be found here.
The Columbarium: A Place of Rest for Everyone
The newest addition to our churchyard is a stately granite columbarium located on the southwest side of graveyard. The columbarium is open to all persons (no need to be a member of Christ Church) who wish a final resting place for their cremains (ashes) in a serene location on our historic property.
Each niche, which is engraved with names and dates of the individuals buried therein, is 10” by 10” and can hold the cremains of two persons. Inquiries may be made by contacting the church office at 732-741-2220 or email rector@christchurchshrewsbury.org.
The Memorial Garden
Nestled in a shady spot just south of the Church (at the bottom of the handicap ramp) you will find the Christ Church Memorial Garden. This Cremains Garden is reserved for members of Christ Church and their family members. A Memorial Marker with each person’s name and their dates are engraved on the large granite slab which will soon be placed to the rear of the Garden. Inquiries may be made by contacting the church office at 732-741-2220 or email rector@christchurchshrewsbury.org.
The Sycamores
The Sycamores is another option for those who would like to Christ Church to be their final resting place. Located on the north side of the graveyard, right along the fence line on Sycamore Avenue, each set of cremains is allowed their own individual grave marker. There are few spaces remaining; if you are interested in learning more, please contact the church office at 732-741-2220 or email rector@christchurchshrewsbury.org.
The Historic Heritage Rose Garden
In the center of our historic graveyard you will find the Heritage Rose Meditation Garden. Landscaped around historic colonial roses, this serene oasis features benches to rest on while contemplating the lush flora of the garden. More information about the HRMG can be found here.
The Rose Garden was dedicated to the memory of Robert M. Kelly Jr. and his wife Anne. Bob was our dedicated historian who worked tirelessly to ensure that our dream of the Rose Garden would become a reality. Bob and Anne are buried at the entrance to the Garden.
Weekend in Olde Monmouth
On the first weekend of May, Christ Church joins the Monmouth County Historical Association in their annual county-wide event: Weekend in Olde Monmouth. Visitors are met by docents who can guide them through the building and the Historic Objects Display, which include the original Native American Deed, the original Orb (with musket holes from the Revolutionary War days) and many other fascinating historical treasures.
Dead to Me
October is known as a time when ghosts and goblins; you can certainly find some spirited souls lurking around the graveyard on the Saturday before Halloween. The Dead Actors’ Guild is a troupe of actors who portray historical figures buried in our graveyard. Join them as they enlighten you with their wisdom and knowledge of centuries past. Pumpkin painting, designer gravestones, and fun activities for children of all ages accompany the festivities.
Costumed Graveyard Tours
Costumed parishioners portray various persons buried in the cemetery, sharing their own particular history with the tour groups. Special speakers, such as Dr. Richard Veit of Monmouth University, give lectures on pertinent topics. Inquiries may be made by contacting the church office at 732-741-2220 or email rector@christchurchshrewsbury.org.
Memorial Day Service
The Parish holds an Annual Memorial Day Service following the principal morning service on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. Congregants and visitors meet on the southeast side of the Church near the Memorial Garden. Besides a special series of prayers, the name of all veterans buried in our Graveyard are read by costumed military personnel from various wars. Our veterans span the eras from the French and Indian War to Vietnam. A reception is held afterwards in the Parish Hall. The list of Graveyard Veterans can be found here.
Revolutionary War Soldiers
Our current Church building was erected at the dawn of the Revolution, in 1769. So it is that our parish is rich in the history of the founding of our country; we were right in the thick of it! A very recent addition to our historical heritage is a project undertaken by the local chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution). After several years’ work, they have identified and documented 14 graves of men who served during in the Revolution. A special marker is placed at each grave. Christ Church is particular indebted to the work of Jo Ann Slocum of the DAR, whose ancestors are among those buried in the adjacent Presbyterian Graveyard. The following are our war heroes:
Edward Bennett
Private – Monmouth County Militia, New Jersey
Born 1742
Died 26 February 1818 Shrewsbury Township, New Jersey
Joseph Dennis
Private -Monmouth County Militia, New Jersey
Born 9 July 1762 Shrewsbury Township, New Jersey
Died 1 September 1829 Shrewsbury, Township, New Jersey
James Green
Captain -1st Regiment Monmouth County Militia, New Jersey
Born 22 April 1750 Shrewsbury, Township, New Jersey
Died 14 September 1811 Shrewsbury, Township, New Jersey
John Faucheraud Grimke
Lieutenant Colonel 4th Regiment South Carolina
Deputy Adjutant General With Rank of Colonel , South Carolina
Major and Aide De Camp, South Carolina
Prisoner of War
Born 16 December 1752 Charleston, Berkeley County , South Carolina
Died 9 August 1819 Shrewsbury, Township New Jersey
John Haggerty
Private- New Jersey and Virginia
Born 13 April 1757
Died 22 January 1822 Shrewsbury Township, New Jersey
William Lippincott
Private- New Jersey
Prisoner of War
Born June 1745
Died 18 July, 1803 Shrewsbury Township, New Jersey
Thomas Lloyd
CPL- New Jersey
Born July 1741
Died 7 1812 Middletown Township, New Jersey
Lewis Mc Knight
Lt and Private – Monmouth County Militia New Jersey
Reimbursed for taking up deserters and capturing Prisoners – New Jersey
Born February 1753
Died 18 August 1800 Shrewsbury Township , New Jersey
Thomas Morford
Member of the Committee of Observation -Shrewsbury, New Jersey
Paid Supply Tax 1782 Shrewsbury, New Jersey
Born 10th of October 1743 Shrewsbury Township, New Jersey
Dies 4 May 1818 Shrewsbury Township, New Jersey
Holmes Throckmorton
Private- New Jersey
Born 22 April 1759 Shrewsbury Township, New Jersey
Died 4 October 1821 Shrewsbury Township, New Jersey
Joseph Throckmorton
Member – Committee of Observation Shrewsbury. New Jersey
Paid Supply Tax 1780-1782
Born 12 July 1720 Monmouth County, New Jersey
Died 12 November 1800 Shrewsbury Township. New Jersey
Joseph Forman Throckmorton
Paid Tax Supply Tax 1780
Born 23 November 1756
Died 5 August 1800 Freehold Township , New Jersey
James Throckmorton
Private- New Jersey
Born 20 June 1754 Shrewsbury Township, New Jersey
Died 17 December 1838 Shrewsbury. Township., New Jsersey
John West ( New)
Paid Supply Tax 1781
Born March 10 1752 Shrewsbury Township, New Jersey
Died 14 March 1829 Shrewsbury Township New Jersey
Wreathes Across America
Christ Church participated in Wreaths Across America for the first time this year. Wreaths were placed on all the graves of veterans in our graveyard. Scouts from a local troop gave us wonderful assistance.
