Cemetery a Day in May: Flagler Family Tombs
Cemetery Log Date: May 18, 2014
There are not many places where you can visit "American Royalty" entombed in a marble mausoleum - but you can in St. Augustine, FL.
The Flagler Family Tombs are located inside of Memorial Presbyterian Church in the heart of downtown St. Augustine.
Henry Morrison Flagler (1830-1913) was born the son of an impoverished Presbyterian minister and became one of the wealthiest men in the world. As John D. Rockefeller's partner in forming the Standard Oil Company, Flagler used a part of his tremendous wealth to build luxurious hotels in what was then the swamplands of Florida. He built his first hotels in St. Augustine and continued South to Palm Beach, and then ultimately to Key West. (Simultaneously building the Florida East Coast Railway in order to transport his affluent guests to these exotic locals!)
Flagler commissioned the building of Memorial Presbyterian Church in 1889 in memoriam to his beloved daughter, Jennie Louise Benedict (1855 -1889), who died from complications in childbirth. Flagler was determined that the church be built by the first anniversary of Jennie's death. With Flagler's army of men from his hotel construction project, the church was built in just over a year's time.
Jennie Louise is currently entombed inside of the church with her infant daughter, Majorie, in her arms. She is next to her mother and Flagler's first wife, Marjorie Mary Harkness Flagler. Flagler gave them the honored center positions in the mausoleum. He himself is located to the side of them.
When one enters this great church, you can't help but reflect on the powerlessness of a man, despite all of his earthly riches, to save the life of his only daughter. Through the beautiful marble, detailed stained glass and intricate mosaic tiles, you can feel the love of a grief stricken father wanting his daughter to be always remembered.
Who: Owned by Memorial Presbyterian Church
What: The tombs of Henry Flagler, his first wife, daughter and infant grand daughter
When: Open to the public Mon-Sat, 9 a.m to 4 p.m
Where: Memorial Presbyterian Church, 36 Sevilla Street, St. Augustine, FL
Why:
Text by: Robbie Boggs
Images: Lucas Stanley, Find A Grave, PCUSA, www.fecrwy.com, worldofstock.com, hmf.dadeschool.net, www.keyhistory.org,
For previous posts search: Cemetery a Day in May or #CaDiM
2013 #CaDiM posts
Intro, May 1: National, May 2: Oakdale, May 3: Murphy's Creek, May 4: Mt. Olive, May 5: Bosque Bello, May 6: Old City, May 7: Espanola, May 8: Tolomato, May 9: Pacetti, May 10: West View, May 11: Magnolia Springs, May 12: St. Peter's, May 13: Gravely Hill, May 14: Pilgrim's Rest, May 15: God's Little Acre, May 16: Dummet's Grave, May 17: No Name, May 18: St. Monica, May 19: St. Joseph's, May 20: Old St. Joseph's (Duval), May 21: Sampson, May 22: Fernandez Reserve, May 23: St. Ambrose, May 24: Sons of Israel, May 25: Sanksville, May 26: Huguenot, May 27: Nombre de Dios, May 28: Beresford, May 29: Jones, May 30: San Sebastian/Pinehurst, May 31: Oaklynn
There are not many places where you can visit "American Royalty" entombed in a marble mausoleum - but you can in St. Augustine, FL.
 |
| Flagler's Tomb |
The Flagler Family Tombs are located inside of Memorial Presbyterian Church in the heart of downtown St. Augustine.
 |
| Memorial Presbyterian Church exterior |
 |
| Memorial Presbyterian Church interior |
Henry Morrison Flagler (1830-1913) was born the son of an impoverished Presbyterian minister and became one of the wealthiest men in the world. As John D. Rockefeller's partner in forming the Standard Oil Company, Flagler used a part of his tremendous wealth to build luxurious hotels in what was then the swamplands of Florida. He built his first hotels in St. Augustine and continued South to Palm Beach, and then ultimately to Key West. (Simultaneously building the Florida East Coast Railway in order to transport his affluent guests to these exotic locals!)
 |
| Image of Flagler's railroad to The Florida Keys |
Flagler commissioned the building of Memorial Presbyterian Church in 1889 in memoriam to his beloved daughter, Jennie Louise Benedict (1855 -1889), who died from complications in childbirth. Flagler was determined that the church be built by the first anniversary of Jennie's death. With Flagler's army of men from his hotel construction project, the church was built in just over a year's time.
 |
| Henry Flalger entombed on the right |
Jennie Louise is currently entombed inside of the church with her infant daughter, Majorie, in her arms. She is next to her mother and Flagler's first wife, Marjorie Mary Harkness Flagler. Flagler gave them the honored center positions in the mausoleum. He himself is located to the side of them.
 |
| Early Years - Flagler with his first wife |
When one enters this great church, you can't help but reflect on the powerlessness of a man, despite all of his earthly riches, to save the life of his only daughter. Through the beautiful marble, detailed stained glass and intricate mosaic tiles, you can feel the love of a grief stricken father wanting his daughter to be always remembered.
Who: Owned by Memorial Presbyterian Church
What: The tombs of Henry Flagler, his first wife, daughter and infant grand daughter
When: Open to the public Mon-Sat, 9 a.m to 4 p.m
Where: Memorial Presbyterian Church, 36 Sevilla Street, St. Augustine, FL
Why:
- See an exquisite church that is the only example of Venetian Renaissance Architecture in the USA
- See a marble mausoleum entombing Henry Flagler and his family
- Experience the quiet, solemn beauty of a memorial built in honor of a beloved daughter
Text by: Robbie Boggs
Images: Lucas Stanley, Find A Grave, PCUSA, www.fecrwy.com, worldofstock.com, hmf.dadeschool.net, www.keyhistory.org,
For previous posts search: Cemetery a Day in May or #CaDiM
2014 #CaDiM posts
Intro, May 1: Hilliard Community, May 2: Kingsley slave era cemetery, May 3: San Lorenzo , May 4: St. Mary's, May 5: Hibernia Cemetery, May 6: Oaklynn Update, May 7: Norwalk, May 8: Houston Pioneer, May 9: Greenwood, May 10: Geneva , May 11: Rose Hill, May 12:Garden of Heavenly Rest, May 13: Port Mayaca, May 14: Key West, May 15: Felsmere Brookside
2013 #CaDiM posts
Intro, May 1: National, May 2: Oakdale, May 3: Murphy's Creek, May 4: Mt. Olive, May 5: Bosque Bello, May 6: Old City, May 7: Espanola, May 8: Tolomato, May 9: Pacetti, May 10: West View, May 11: Magnolia Springs, May 12: St. Peter's, May 13: Gravely Hill, May 14: Pilgrim's Rest, May 15: God's Little Acre, May 16: Dummet's Grave, May 17: No Name, May 18: St. Monica, May 19: St. Joseph's, May 20: Old St. Joseph's (Duval), May 21: Sampson, May 22: Fernandez Reserve, May 23: St. Ambrose, May 24: Sons of Israel, May 25: Sanksville, May 26: Huguenot, May 27: Nombre de Dios, May 28: Beresford, May 29: Jones, May 30: San Sebastian/Pinehurst, May 31: Oaklynn