Volunteers Restore Historic Graves At 370-Year-Old All Faith Church In Mechanicsville

MECHANICSVILLE, Md. — Under a bright June sun and surrounded by centuries of Southern Maryland history, nearly 20 volunteers gathered at All Faith Episcopal Church on June 13 to carefully restore and repair historic gravesites, breathing new life into a cemetery that has watched over generations since the colonial era.

The effort was led by Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers (BAC) Local 1 of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., alongside church members, family, friends and apprentices eager to apply their skills beyond the classroom. Throughout the day, teams worked side by side lifting fallen markers, resetting monuments, stabilizing aging headstones and preserving graves that have stood for decades — and in some cases centuries.

For organizers Cherie and Mike Graves, the project was about more than repairing stone. It was about honoring history and ensuring the stories of those buried there are not lost to time.

“We thought it was a big success,” said Cherie and Mike Graves. “We had so many volunteers and the apprentices liked getting out of the classroom to do some hands-on work. We got a lot of tombstones fixed, but there is more work to be done on the other side of the cemetery. The church is very grateful for everyone that helped, and we are hoping the BAC will work with us again in the fall.”

Hands-On Preservation

Throughout the day, volunteers carefully excavated around damaged monuments, leveled foundations, repositioned stone bases and reassembled grave markers that had shifted due to age, weather and ground movement.

The work required patience, teamwork and specialized knowledge. Apprentices worked alongside experienced craftworkers, learning techniques used in masonry preservation while gaining firsthand experience on a meaningful community project.

Photographs from the event show crews using shovels, levels, lifting straps and hand tools to reset large monuments, some weighing hundreds of pounds. Volunteers moved methodically, ensuring each stone was stabilized and returned to its proper position while preserving the integrity of the historic cemetery.

The project transformed several gravesites that had become tilted, displaced or unstable, helping safeguard them for future generations.

A Church Steeped In Maryland History

The restoration effort took place at All Faith Episcopal Church, one of the oldest active church sites in Southern Maryland.

Originally established in 1655, the church traces its roots to Maryland’s earliest colonial settlements and has remained a place of worship and community gathering for more than 370 years. The historic church grounds serve as a visible reminder of the region’s deep connections to Maryland’s founding families, early settlers and generations of local residents.

Its cemetery contains graves dating back centuries, including markers that reflect the architectural styles, craftsmanship and family histories of Southern Maryland’s earliest communities.

As time and the elements take their toll on these historic monuments, preservation efforts like the June 13 restoration project become increasingly important in protecting local heritage.

Volunteers said the opportunity to work on such a historically significant site added an extra sense of purpose to the day’s efforts.

Building Skills Through Service

While the project benefited the church and cemetery, it also provided a valuable educational opportunity for BAC apprentices.

By working on real-world restoration projects, apprentices gain practical experience in masonry, stone setting, leveling and preservation techniques that are difficult to replicate in a classroom setting.

The restoration demonstrated how skilled trades can play a critical role in preserving historic landmarks while passing valuable craftsmanship from one generation to the next.

For many participants, the project represented a chance to give back to the community while learning skills that will serve them throughout their careers.

About Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 1

Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 1 of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., represents highly trained professionals in bricklaying, masonry restoration, stone setting, tile work, terrazzo installation, refractory construction and related trades.

The organization trains apprentices through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on field experience, helping prepare the next generation of skilled craftworkers while supporting construction, restoration and preservation projects throughout the region.

In addition to commercial and institutional work, BAC members frequently participate in community service projects that highlight the importance of skilled trades and historic preservation.

Looking Ahead

Although numerous gravesites were repaired during the June restoration effort, organizers say more work remains.

The success of the project has sparked hopes for a return visit later this year to continue restoring monuments on the opposite side of the cemetery.

For those involved, the day served as a reminder that preserving history often begins with the willingness of community members to roll up their sleeves and lend a hand.

As volunteers packed away tools and admired the newly stabilized monuments, they left behind more than repaired headstones — they helped ensure that a piece of Southern Maryland’s history will continue standing for generations to come.

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