LentzBenjaminAugust 16, 1897Plot 57 grave 1 South portion

On August 16, 1765, the German Lutherans of "Merrion Township"banded together to purchase land for a place of worship andburial ground for "German Protestants, German Reformed and Lutherans, conjointly."

The earliest tombstone today in the Colonial Section is thatof Johanna Müller, who departed this life July 25, 1766.

In 1809 the trustees added ¼ acre to the burial groundby purchase of additional land, and 19 years later awall was built enclosing the cemetery. Burial permits werefirst sold in 1833.

By 1844 the community had grown, and the cemetery was so wellutilized that three acres were purchased, which became a redeemingventure by the creation and sale of burial lots to "Church Membersand the public in general."

The present frame and stone house was build that year;in 1852 the large stone house was erected. Land used forthese houses is dedicated to cemetery use when the demand arises. A Sexton and cemetery caretaker were employed for thefirst time in 1844. Today a full-time caretaker lives onthe grounds.

In 1888 and 1889 and additional five acres of ground werepurchased, filling out the entire block bounded byArgyle Road, West Wynnewood Road, Athens Avenue, and HoodRoad, its present boundaries, and all laid out in lots8 feet by 16 feet.

The remains of over 200 war veterans are interred in St.Paul's Cemetery.