Saint Peter's Cemetery, at 183 Rector Street, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861, is a historic burial ground tied to one of New Jersey's oldest religious communities.

Reach the cemetery at (732) 826-1594 for inquiries. This serene site offers a place of reflection and remembrance in the city's heart.

Major Roads and Landmarks

The cemetery is accessible via major roads like Route 35 and Route 440, which connect Perth Amboy to surrounding areas. Nearby, the Raritan Bay waterfront and the Perth Amboy Ferry Slip, a historic landmark, are just blocks away. The Proprietary House, a Revolutionary War-era site, also lies within a short distance, enhancing the area's historical significance.

Directions to Shevchenko Monuments

Shevchenko Monuments at 329 S Florida Grove Road is approximately 5-7 minutes away by car, covering roughly 2 miles, depending on traffic.

From Saint Peter's Cemetery, head west on Rector Street, turn left onto Smith Street, then right onto Route 35 South. Continue for about 1.5 miles, then turn right onto South Florida Grove Road.

History and Description

Established in 1722 alongside St. Peter's Episcopal Church, this cemetery is part of New Jersey's oldest Episcopal parish, founded in 1685. The current Gothic Revival church, built in 1852, overlooks a churchyard with graves dating back to the colonial era, including the state's oldest extant gravestone from 1687, belonging to Helen Gordon.

Ethnicities and Religions of the Deceased

The cemetery primarily reflects the Anglo-Saxon and Scottish heritage of early Perth Amboy settlers, with most burials linked to the Episcopal faith. Notable figures like Thomas Mundy Peterson, the first African-American voter in the U.S., highlight a small but significant diversity among the predominantly Christian deceased.

Church Affiliations

Saint Peter's Cemetery is directly affiliated with St. Peter's Episcopal Church, located at the same address. This historic parish, granted a royal charter in 1718, has been a spiritual anchor for the community, shaping the cemetery's identity and purpose as an Episcopal burial ground.

Design Elements

Reflecting Episcopal traditions, the cemetery features understated yet elegant headstones, often crafted from sandstone or marble. Gothic influences from the church echo in pointed arches and simple crosses on monuments, emphasizing humility and reverence typical of Anglican burial practices.

Unique Characteristics

The cemetery includes a slant section with uniform-sized slant markers, offering a cohesive, traditional aesthetic. Other areas allow varied memorial styles, from upright stones to flat markers, accommodating personal touches like etched designs, reflecting individual tributes within a historical framework.

Rules for Monuments

Saint Peter's Cemetery permits various memorial sizes, colors, and types, with materials like granite, marble, or bronze commonly used. The slant section requires uniform dimensions for consistency. Personalized elements, such as photos or religious symbols like crosses, are allowed, ensuring tributes honor the deceased uniquely.

Shevchenko Monuments in Perth Amboy, NJ, designs, builds, installs, and maintains memorials meeting all dimensions, material, and inscription rules.

Contact Shevchenko Monuments today to order a compliant memorial. Honor your loved one with a lasting tribute.