Workers give new life to old city graveyard
Though it's located in the heart of downtown, the Old Presbyterian Church Graveyard, adjacent to the Greensboro Historical Museum, is an often-overlooked part of Greensboro's history.
Among the 300-plus graves are those of influential people from Greensboro's early days: Gov. John Morehead, the Rev. William Paisley, founder of First Presbyterian Church, soldiers from four wars, and names such as Armfield, Caldwell, Dick, Gorrell, Lindsay, Porter and Rankin.
The earliest readable gravestone dates from 1834; the last burial took place in 1926. The church moved to its present site in 1929.
Two years ago, efforts began to restore the damaged and scattered monuments and surround them with a garden. Much work has been done, and final repairs and landscaping are under way. Instead of grass, 74 varieties of ground cover and flowers, totaling 11,000 individual plants, are being planted.
On behalf of the work committee, I would like to invite citizens to experience this special place on Easter Sunday at a 7:15 a.m. sunrise service. The cemetery will also be open for tours during Greensboro's Bicentennial Festival.
Chip Calloway called the graveyard "an urban oasis for the 21st century." This historical landmark is a source of pride and pleasure for Greensboro citizens.
Jake Michel
Greensboro