Current Advocacy Issues
Mount Moriah Cemetery
Mount Moriah Cemetery, straddling Cobbs Creek in Southwest Philadelphia and Yeadon Borough, is one of the area’s largest and most historic burial grounds. At a reported 380 acres, it’s bigger than Laurel Hill, Woodlands, and Greenwood Cemeteries combined. It is also virtually abandoned, slowly being engulfed in a forest of weeds and a plague of illegal dumping. Featured on the Preservation Alliance’s 2005 Endangered Properties List, Mount Moriah returned to the news this year when the cemetery, which had remained open for burials and visits despite having no clear owner, abruptly shut down. The City of Philadelphia is now asking the
courts to declare the site a public nuisance and assign a new receiver.While the cemetery’s legal fate plays out, however, there are signs of hope and an opportunity to help. Starting this July, city-led crews began large-scale debris and weed removal for the first time in decades. The Friends of Mount Moriah, in conjunction with the City, Greater Philadelphia Cares, and Global Citizen, have organized a series of volunteer action days for August 13, September 10 and October 8. All individuals and volunteer groups are eagerly invited to participate in the effort to reclaim the cemetery from the ravages of neglect. CLICK HERE for more details and to register to participate. To learn more about Mount Moriah, CLICK HERE.
Media coverage of Mount Moriah:
"Mount Moriah Cemetery buried with time," Metro Philly, June 19, 2011
"Closed cemetery angers family, raises questions," WPVI Action News, April 11, 2011
"Buried Stones, Buried Dreams," Scribe Video Center, 2007
"Confederates, Catholics, Muslims and Masons: The Mount Moriah Cemetery Tour," The Necessity for Ruins, December 1, 2007
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