SLHS Gravestone Cleaning Day

Several years ago, some of the members of St. Luke’s Historical Society visited St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Smithfield, Virginia, to learn the best procedures for cleaning gravestones. We were given instructions and put to work cleaning some of the markers in the older part of the very large cemetery located at the church. St. Luke’s, Smithfield is an ancient brick church still used for special services and weddings. The cemetery has expanded far beyond its original boundaries, but the oldest gravestones are in the process of a cleaning preservation with many groups like ours helping out in return for expert advice.

Many of the gravestones in our lovely little churchyard are covered in lichen, mold, and/or a black stain due to the proximity of the black walnut tree on the east side of the wall. One of the goals of our Historic Society is to preserve the history of the cemetery. Cleaning will make it possible to read what is inscribed on the grave markers.

We will clean only those stones for which we have obtained permission from family members of the interred. For those of you who have family members buried in the cemetery, we encourage you to join us in this endeavor. Everyone is invited to help with this project, and all you need to bring is a bucket, rubber gloves, and your enthusiasm to help preserve the beauty and history of the churchyard at St. Luke’s, Powhatan.